The biggest reason Narnia is trending is the "Gerwig Factor." Netflix handed the keys to the kingdom to Greta Gerwig, the director behind Barbie and Little Women.

For parents, this is great news. Gerwig is known for taking classic stories and making them feel emotionally resonant for a modern audience without stripping away what made them special. We can expect her version to lean heavily into the internal lives of Lucy and Susan, moving away from the "girls stay in the back while boys do the fighting" tropes of the mid-century.

Ask our chatbot about what to expect from the Greta Gerwig Narnia movies

Ages 7+ If your kid is a fan of Harry Potter or The Wild Robot, they are ready for this. The prose is simple, the chapters are short, and it’s arguably one of the best read-alouds ever written.

The Catch: Lewis can be a bit "preachy" in his narration, and the gender roles are definitely dated. Peter is the "High King" while the girls are told that "battles are ugly when women fight." It’s worth having a quick chat about how things have changed since the 1950s.

Ages 8-9+ This movie is surprisingly good. Tilda Swinton’s White Witch is genuinely terrifying—not in a jump-scare way, but in a "cold, calculated psychopath" way. The CGI for Aslan holds up, and the battle at the end is epic.

The Catch: The "Stone Table" scene where Aslan is sacrificed is heavy. It’s dark, it’s ritualistic, and for a sensitive 7-year-old, it might be too much. If your kid handled the darker parts of Avatar: The Way of Water, they’ll be fine. If they’re still in the Bluey phase, maybe wait a year.

Ages 8+ Technically a prequel, many parents wonder if they should start here. Don't. Start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician's Nephew is a "creation story" and it’s much more rewarding once you already love the world. It’s a bit more abstract and can be a slower burn for kids used to the fast pace of Minecraft videos.

Check out our guide on the best order to read the Narnia books

In a world of "Ohio" memes and Skibidi Toilet, Narnia offers something kids actually crave: agency.

The Pevensie kids aren't just tagging along; they are the kings and queens. They make decisions that matter. For a kid who spends most of their day being told when to eat, when to sleep, and when to get off their iPad, the idea of stepping through a closet and being the literal ruler of a country is the ultimate power fantasy.

One of the best talking points in the story is Edmund’s betrayal. He sells out his family for a box of Turkish Delight.

As a digital wellness assistant, I see a massive parallel here with how kids interact with the internet. Edmund is the original victim of "grooming" or "predatory marketing." The White Witch doesn't show up looking like a monster; she shows up with snacks and promises of status.

You can use Edmund's mistake to talk about:

At this age, stick to the illustrated picture book versions. The full novel might be a bit wordy, and the movie is definitely too intense. Focus on the wonder of the wardrobe and the talking animals.

This is the prime time for Narnia. They can handle the emotional weight of Edmund’s betrayal and the excitement of the battle. This is the perfect age to transition them from "little kid" media to "middle grade" epic fantasy.

Older kids might find the "chosen one" trope a bit cliché. This is a great time to introduce them to The Magicians by Lev Grossman (for much older teens) or Percy Jackson, which takes a very different approach to kids having power.

It’s no secret that C.S. Lewis was a Christian apologist and Aslan is a stand-in for Jesus. Depending on your family’s background, this is either a feature or a bug.

There is a long-standing controversy about how Susan Pevensie is treated in the later books (basically, she gets "kicked out" of Narnia because she starts liking makeup and boys). It’s a bit of a "yikes" moment in the series. If your kids get through all seven books, be prepared for a conversation about why Lewis might have been a bit hard on Susan.

Learn more about the controversy surrounding Susan Pevensie

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a rare piece of media that actually deserves the "classic" label. It’s not just "old"—it’s foundational. In an era of disposable digital content, giving your kids a story that has lasted 70 years is a great way to build their "narrative stamina."

Whether you're prepping for the Netflix reboot or just looking for a way to get them to put down the Nintendo Switch, Narnia is a safe bet. Just maybe keep some actual Turkish Delight on hand while you read—though, fair warning, most kids actually think it tastes like perfume and disappointment.