Movie Studios Are Furious with IMAX for Releasing Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ in Theaters for Netflix

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The CEO of IMAX, Rich Gelfond, has announced that Greta Gerwig’s Narnia films will be exclusively screened on approximately 1,000 IMAX theaters through Netflix, beginning on Thanksgiving 2026, for a two-week period.

Subsequently, the movie will become available for streaming on Netflix, however, some prominent cinema chains and production companies are displeased with this decision. This move by Netflix to release films straight onto their platform frequently sparks disagreement among exhibitors and conventional studios, and this agreement has led to friction.

In an effort to find a compromise that catered to all parties, IMAX diligently negotiated a deal involving Netflix, Greta Gerwig, and cinema chains. However, it appears that IMAX’s partners, particularly Disney, have expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the agreement.

Disneys set to release an anticipated animated movie over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which they perceive as a competitive threat. Major cinema chains such as Regal and Cinemark, among others, are expressing displeasure and even warning that they might refuse to screen Narnia on their IMAX screens in response.

Despite some theater chains deciding on the films shown on their IMAX screens, Gelfond possesses a “last resort” move that could compel them to screen the film. It’s not clear what this move entails, but Gelfond underlined IMAX’s ability to select its movies. Additionally, there are whispers about an agreement between IMAX and AMC Theaters, which boasts the most IMAX screens in the U.S.

Previously, Netflix has dabbled in limited theater showings, like they did with “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” in 2022, but opted against a broader release. Some speculate that Netflix has been reluctant to fully adopt a theatrical release approach, unlike companies such as Apple and Amazon, which have thrown their weight behind larger releases.

Gerwig’s triumph with movies such as “Lady Bird” and “Barbie” has given her significant influence to seal this agreement, an achievement that is generally seen as a victory for filmmakers. Nevertheless, the true challenge lies in navigating the circumstances with cinema owners and observing how “Narnia” performs in IMAX. If it generates positive buzz, cinemas might eventually relent.

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2025-02-25 17:44