Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ trailer divides fans ahead of Netflix release
Some viewers welcomed Gerwig’s creative approach, as others questioned whether the film captures the spirit of Narnia
Greta Gerwig’s first trailer for Netflix’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has divided fans, with reactions ranging from praise for its visual style to criticism that the adaptation strays too far from CS Lewis’ beloved fantasy series.
Released on October 13, the trailer features psychedelic imagery and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, offering a rock-inspired take on the story.
The response across social media platforms, including Reddit and X, has been sharply mixed.
Supporters have welcomed Gerwig’s creative approach, with one viewer calling it “the best trailer I’ve seen in years”.
Another praised its apparent faithfulness to the source material, writing, “Looks to be a very faithful adaptation with a sort of rock opera twist.”
However, other viewers questioned whether the film captures the spirit of Narnia.
One described the trailer as “Visually stunning trailer but nothing really jumped out to me indicating that this is a Narnia movie.”
Criticism has also focused on the visual effects, with some comparing the film’s aesthetic to Marvel productions such as Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Others expressed concern that CGI-heavy visuals could overshadow the story’s original appeal.
The adaptation has faced scrutiny even before the trailer’s release, partly because of Gerwig’s involvement and the decision to cast Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan, the central lion character.
The film features David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds and Daniel Craig, alongside Streep and other cast members.
Netflix plans to release Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew in cinemas and IMAX on February 12, 2027, giving audiences an opportunity to judge the adaptation beyond its first trailer.
