The Greta Gerwig factor
With the massive 2026 Netflix reboot looming on the horizon, we’re all looking at this 2005 version through a new lens. It’s the definitive "pre-reboot" benchmark. If you’re trying to get your kids up to speed before the new films drop, this is the one to start with. It’s worth checking out our guide on how Narnia is Back: A Parent’s Guide to the Wardrobe and the 2026 Netflix Reboot to see how the landscape is shifting, but for now, the 2005 movie remains the gold standard for how to turn C.S. Lewis’s prose into something that looks and feels expensive.
Fantasy with teeth
This isn't a soft, fuzzy bedtime story. While it’s firmly in the "family" category, the film carries a weight that early Harry Potter movies lacked. The White Witch isn't a cartoon villain; she’s a cold, calculating presence who genuinely feels like she could win.
The battle at the end is a real tactical conflict, not just a series of magical explosions. It’s "diet" Lord of the Rings in the best way possible. Critics generally appreciated the craft here more than the general audience did—as seen in that 15-point gap between the Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience scores—likely because the movie takes itself seriously. It doesn't wink at the camera or fill the runtime with pop-culture jokes.
The Turkish Delight of it all
If you want to have a real conversation with your kids after the credits roll, start with Edmund. His betrayal is one of the most relatable moments in fantasy history because it’s so petty. He doesn't sell out his family for world domination; he does it for a box of candy and a bit of ego stroking. It’s a perfect entry point for talking about how small, selfish choices can snowball into massive problems.
The "always winter, never Christmas" vibe is also a great mood-setter. It creates a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness that makes the eventual arrival of spring feel like a genuine relief.
Navigating the allegory
You can't talk about Narnia without mentioning the lion in the room. The story is a foundational piece of Christian literature, and the movie leans into those themes of sacrifice and resurrection without being heavy-handed. If your family is looking for more content that hits those specific notes, we’ve rounded up several Biblical Movies for Families: Faith-Based Films Worth Watching Together that fit a similar mold.
However, if you aren't looking for a Sunday school lesson, don't sweat it. The movie functions perfectly well as a high-stakes adventure about four kids finding their courage. You can enjoy the spectacle of a talking lion and a magic wardrobe without needing to decode the symbolism if that's not your speed.
The "Coming Home" problem
One thing that often catches parents off guard is the ending. The Pevensie siblings spend decades in Narnia. They grow into full adults, kings, and queens, only to stumble back through the wardrobe and become children again. It’s a strangely melancholy concept if you think about it for more than five seconds.
For a kid, the idea of "going home" is a happy ending. For an adult, the idea of losing an entire lifetime of experience and being told to go do your homework is a nightmare. It's a great "what would you do?" scenario to pose to your kids. Would they stay in Narnia or go back to the real world? Their answer might tell you a lot about how they’re processing the movie.
