IMAX CEO Reveals 'Chronicles Of Narnia' Deal, And How Many Movies Netflix Is Planning
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The first of Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia movies is in trouble already. Cinema chains Regal and Cinemark are threatening to boycott the CS Lewis adaptation over a deal that Netflix has struck with IMAX. The first in the series will be screened exclusively on IMAX for two weeks when it is released on Thanksgiving weekend in 2026.
Weirdly, IMAX CEO Richard Gelford doesn’t sound enthused over this lucrative deal. “I’ve talked to Netflix about this, and I think in general they are as excited as we are to do it. But we are not in a rush to do another one tomorrow. I think the factors have to come into place that work for everyone.” However, he claims he has a nuclear option to force cinemas to play the movie on IMAX, but he’s staying tight-lipped about what that is. The CEO did hint that Netflix is planning to do eight movies if all goes well.
The IMAX strategy is a bold move from Netflix. Whether it pays off is another thing. The Chronicles of Narnia books and previous movies appealed to family audiences who might be on a budget. The higher ticket price of IMAX could potentially sink its opening weekend. Narnia is also likely to be going up against The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and most likely a Disney film. They are all going to fight for the IMAX screens, which are limited in most theaters. Narnia could find itself with very few showings in its first two weeks. Netflix might find this deal does them more harm than good.
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Source(s): Wiki, Deadline, Screenrant
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