TL;DR: Narnia is getting a massive high-budget facelift at Netflix, directed by Greta Gerwig (yes, the Barbie director). While we wait for the 2026 release, now is the perfect time to revisit the classic The Chronicles of Narnia books or the 2005 movie trilogy. These stories are generally great for ages 8+, but the movies get surprisingly intense with the battle scenes.
Quick Links
- The Original: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
- The Sequel: Prince Caspian (2008)
- The Final Installment: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
- The Source Material: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
If you’ve been living under a rock (or maybe just hiding in a wardrobe), Netflix has the rights to all seven of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. They’ve tapped Greta Gerwig—who proved she can handle massive intellectual property with Barbie and heart-wrenching classics with Little Women—to write and direct at least two films.
The buzz is that these aren't just "kids' movies." Netflix is aiming for a Lord of the Rings level of scope. We’re looking at a 2026 release, which gives us plenty of time to catch our kids up on why a talking lion and a magical closet are a big deal.
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Narnia is the ultimate "portal fantasy." The idea that you could be a normal, somewhat bored kid in the real world and suddenly be a King or Queen in another is a timeless hook. It’s the same DNA that makes Harry Potter work.
However, modern kids used to the breakneck speed of MrBeast or the chaotic energy of Roblox might find the older movies a little slow. The 2005 film holds up remarkably well, but Prince Caspian is basically a two-hour war movie for kids, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader feels a bit like a fever dream.
The real magic is in the world-building. If your kid likes Minecraft because they get to build their own kingdom, they’ll likely appreciate the stakes of Narnia.
If you’re planning a family movie night to prep for the reboot, here is the no-BS breakdown of the existing films.
Ages 8+ This is the gold standard. Tilda Swinton as the White Witch is genuinely terrifying—not "cartoon villain" scary, but "she might actually freeze you into a statue" scary. The CGI for Aslan the lion actually looks better than some stuff Marvel puts out today. It’s a beautiful, faithful adaptation.
- Parent Note: The death of a major character (you know the one) is heavy. It’s done tastefully, but sensitive kids might need a hug.
Ages 10+ This one is darker, longer, and much more violent. It’s essentially a story about a coup and a war of attrition. The Pevensie children are older and more cynical. It lacks some of the "wonder" of the first film, replaced by a lot of sword-fighting and political maneuvering.
- The Verdict: It’s a bit of a slog for younger kids. If they aren't into fantasy battles, they might check out halfway through.
Ages 8+ This moved from Disney to Fox, and you can tell. It feels more episodic—they go to an island, deal with a problem, and move on. It’s colorful and has a sea serpent, which is cool, but it lacks the emotional weight of the first two.
- The Highlight: Will Poulter as the annoying cousin Eustace is perfect casting.
Check out our guide on the best order to watch the Narnia movies
In a word: Yes.
The The Chronicles of Narnia books are short. Unlike Percy Jackson or The Hunger Games, you can knock out a Narnia book in a few bedtimes.
C.S. Lewis wrote them with a specific rhythm that is meant to be read aloud. If you have an 8-year-old, reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a core parenting memory.
A note on the "Controversy": You’ll hear people talk about the Christian allegory. It’s not subtle. Aslan is a Christ figure. For some parents, this is a selling point; for others, it’s a deterrent. Regardless of your stance, the stories function perfectly well as standard "good vs. evil" fantasy.
While these are marketed as family films, "Family" is a broad term. Here’s how to gauge it for your crew:
- Ages 5-7: Might enjoy the idea of talking animals, but the White Witch and the wolves in the first movie are nightmare fuel. The battle scenes are loud and intense. Stick to the picture book versions for now.
- Ages 8-10: The "Sweet Spot." They’re old enough to handle the peril but young enough to still find the magic believable.
- Ages 11+: Might find the 2005-2010 movies a bit "dated" compared to Stranger Things, but they’ll appreciate the complex themes of betrayal and redemption.
- Violence: These are PG/PG-13 level fantasy battles. People (and talking animals) die. There isn't much gore, but the emotional impact of the violence is real.
- Scary Imagery: The White Witch’s creatures (minotaurs, hags, etc.) are designed by Weta Workshop—the same people who did The Lord of the Rings. They are high-quality and creepy.
- Themes: Betrayal is a huge theme. Edmund Pevensie sells out his siblings for some candy (Turkish Delight). It’s a great talking point about peer pressure and greed, but it can be upsetting for younger siblings to watch.
Why is everyone so excited about Greta Gerwig doing Narnia? Because Narnia has historically been a bit... stiff. The characters can feel like archetypes rather than real kids.
Gerwig is the queen of making characters feel human, messy, and relatable. Expect the 2026 reboot to focus heavily on the relationship between the siblings. It probably won't just be a "hero's journey"; it'll be a "growing up is hard and sometimes you have to leave your childhood behind" journey.
If your kids liked the emotional depth of The Wild Robot, they are going to be the target audience for Gerwig’s Narnia.
Narnia offers some of the best "car ride" conversation starters in children’s literature:
- The Edmund Question: "Why do you think Edmund chose the candy over his family? Have you ever felt like you wanted something so bad you ignored what was right?"
- The Leadership Question: "In Narnia, the kids are Kings and Queens. Do you think you'd be a better leader as a kid or an adult?"
- The Sacrifice Question: "Aslan gives himself up for Edmund. Why do you think he did that even though Edmund was being a jerk?"
Narnia is about to become the "Next Big Thing" in digital culture again. When the Netflix trailers start dropping, your kids are going to see them on YouTube or TikTok.
Getting ahead of the curve by reading the books or watching the 2005 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe now is a great way to build a shared family experience. It’s a "brain-rot free" zone that actually encourages imagination and big moral questions.
- Check the Library: Grab a copy of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
- Stream the Classics: The original trilogy is currently on Disney+.
- Stay Updated: Follow our Greta Gerwig Narnia Guide for casting news and release dates as they break.
Ask our chatbot for more fantasy movie recommendations for 8-year-olds