Netflix’s Narnia Movie Angers Theaters, IMAX Has ‘Nuclear Option’

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It appears that Netflix’s forthcoming The Chronicles of Narnia movies have stirred frustration among theater chains and studios due to an exclusive agreement they made with IMAX. If movie theaters opt out of screening the film, Netflix is said to be prepared with a strong response, often referred to as a “nuclear option.

What is the issue between theater chains and Netflix’s Narnia movie?

In a recent announcement by Puck, U.S. theater chains and movie studios expressed frustration following an agreement between IMAX and Netflix. This agreement grants The Chronicles of Narnia a two-week exclusive screening on IMAX theaters when it is released during Thanksgiving 2026.

According to Puck, the cause of this situation lies in the fact that different film studios and cinema chains were unaware of the deal being made, which has now led them to worry that other films scheduled for the holiday season of 2026 might miss their release dates.

According to a studio insider, traditional film studios and cinema chains generally view Netflix as a shared adversary. More specifically, Disney is reportedly particularly angry about the IMAX deal, as an insider mentioned that IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond made this agreement independently without consulting his studio partners. This move granted Netflix a two-week exclusive screening, even though other studios supply their films to Netflix throughout the entire year.

The article indicates that it’s possible for movie theaters to opt out of showing Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film on their IMAX screens, choosing instead to screen other movies. However, the report notes that IMAX has thought ahead about this scenario and IMAX’s CEO, Gelfond, has made a promise to both Gerwig and Netflix executives that they possess a “powerful solution” which will guarantee theaters will indeed play the film.

The specifics of what the nuclear option entails remain unclear at present. However, IMAX has made it clear in a statement to Puck that, according to their agreements with theaters, they “demand exhibitors to screen the films we prepare and program.” This power to curate programming is what makes IMAX valuable to exhibitors, filmmakers, and studios, ultimately generating a return on investment for their worldwide theaters.

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2025-02-26 02:10