After months of speculation, Netflix has finally released the first trailer for director Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film. Previous reports suggested a dramatically different approach to C.S. Lewis’s beloved children’s stories, and early reactions indicate that the adaptation could become one of the year’s most divisive films.
Based on The Magician’s Nephew, the first story in the series chronologically, Gerwig’s adaptation appears to be as much a cosmic rock opera as a traditional fantasy film.
The trailer opens with the immediately recognizable notes of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” an unusual musical choice given the story’s setting. While Gerwig moved the film’s setting forward approximately 50 years from the original novel, the song wasn’t released until another two decades later.
@DiscussingFilm Did they James Gunn Narnia?
— Amaechina Ikechukwu (@iam_ikay1) October 13, 2026
The unexpected needle drop prompted one user on X to ask, “Did they James Gunn Narnia?”
It was just one unfavorable reaction among many.
A Colorful Narnia Draws Comparisons to Marvel
After a brief glimpse of the iconic wardrobe, the trailer introduces the bleak, dreary surroundings of mid-century Britain. Daniel Craig’s Uncle Andrew appears as the titular magician, while Digory and Polly begin exploring the mysteries surrounding them.
The question “Do you believe in magic?” sets the stage for their adventure, accompanied by visual cues foreshadowing what awaits.
An image from Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film – Netflix, YouTube
READ: Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom Returns Nov. 3, 2026, With Holiday Puns
“How can I be ready if I don’t know what’s on the other side?” Digory asks before he and Polly open a mysterious door.
In a sequence reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, the doorway reveals a brilliantly colored world beyond the dreary surroundings. At that moment, “Stairway to Heaven” kicks into high gear.
What follows is a kaleidoscope of brightly illuminated landscapes and fantastical imagery. While the vibrant aesthetic offers a departure from the muted tones common in modern blockbusters, many commenters were reminded of films they would rather forget.
“Thor: Ragnarok of movies,” one user wrote.
@CultureCrave Thor: Ragnarok of Narnia movies
— Eric Olsen 🎥 📷 (@xCaptainEO) October 13, 2026
Several others compared the trailer’s color palette and prominent musical accompaniment to Marvel productions, suggesting that Gerwig had adopted a familiar blockbuster formula.
“Narnia: The Screensaver,” John Nolte wrote. “Zeppelin is doing all the real work here.”
@netflix Narnia: The Screensaver.
Zeppelin is doing all the real work here.
— John Ocasio-Rodham Nolte (@NolteNC) October 13, 2026
Others drew comparisons to Disney’s unsuccessful adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, another visually ambitious fantasy film that struggled to win over audiences.
Fans Question Whether Gerwig Captures the Spirit of Narnia
Beyond comparisons to other Hollywood productions, some viewers questioned whether Gerwig’s hyper-stylized interpretation captures the atmosphere of Lewis’s original stories.
“Just spectacle slop, no sense of intrigue, no ‘less is more’, no subtlety, just bombast and colour,” a user on X wrote. “What a waste of potential. The Narnia stories, and even the earlier movies, had a real down-to-earth feel, which the stories do too. That’s their strength.”
@CultureCrave God this looks awful. Just spectacle slop, no sense of intrigue, no “less is more”, no subtlety, just bombast and colour. What a waste of potential. The Narnia stories, and even the earlier movies, had a real down-to-earth feel, which the stories do too. That’s their strength
— J 🧢 🇺🇦🇵🇸🇾🇪🇦🇲🇪🇭 (@JEDPBK) October 13, 2026
“Not a single frame looks like Narnia. It looks cheap and fake with no sense of wonder or reality,” added another.
Daniel Craig in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia – Netflix, YouTube
READ: REVIEW: ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Finally Gets Its Day in Court
The criticism reflects concerns that the adaptation may prioritize visual spectacle over the quieter sense of mystery and discovery that characterized Lewis’s writing.
Although Meryl Streep’s performance as the voice of Aslan was not featured in the trailer, the controversial casting decision remained on viewers’ minds.
Traditionally depicted as male, Aslan serves as a Christ figure throughout Lewis’s stories. The prospect of giving the character a female voice has consequently raised concerns about how Gerwig intends to approach the source material’s religious symbolism.
“Despicable. It’s giving Thor: Love and Thunder vibes while also bastardizing the entire plot and point of Narnia – a symbol of CHRIST,” reads one comment. “Just make your own freaking fiction world! Stop polluting and insulting someone else’s work.”
@CultureCrave Despicable. It’s giving Thor: Love and Thunder vibes while also bastardizing the entire plot and point of Narnia – a symbol of CHRIST.
Just make your own freaking fiction world! Stop polluting and insulting someone else’s work.
— Micah (@ScriptureSays__) October 13, 2026
Author and independent filmmaker Andrew Huff offered a more cautious assessment of what the trailer might represent.
“Here’s the reality: this could be a really slick package for something really insidious. Only time will tell.”
Here’s the reality: this could be a really slick package for something really insidious. Only time will tell.
— Andrew Huff (@andrewjohnhuff) October 13, 2026
Concerns Grow Over C.S. Lewis’s Christian Vision
When C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, he sought to introduce readers, both young and old, to Christian themes through imaginative fantasy rather than straightforward religious instruction.
The books’ symbolism is central to their identity, particularly through Aslan, whose role reflects the sacrifice, resurrection, and redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
For some viewers, the first trailer raises concerns that these elements may be overshadowed by Gerwig’s creative reinterpretation.
“Anyone who defends this slop should be ashamed. They have disgraced CS Lewis. His family should be ashamed to sell out like this. Netflix destroys everything that is good,” wrote one account.
@netflix Anyone who defends this slop should be ashamed.
They have disgraced CS Lewis.
His family should be ashamed to sell out like this.
Netflix destroys everything that is good.
— The Fan of the Rings (@fanoftherings) October 13, 2026
“This is just another adaptation that doesn’t honor the source material,” added another. “Hollywood does one thing well nowadays: Destroy beloved IPs.”
Of course, a trailer cannot establish how faithfully the finished film will handle Lewis’s themes. The brief footage offers little indication of how Gerwig intends to portray the creation of Narnia or the deeper spiritual meaning behind its story.
Nevertheless, the initial response suggests that the marketing has already alienated some longtime fans.
An image from Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film – Netflix, YouTube
READ: Six Flags Over Georgia Guest Dies After Reportedly Falling From Goliath Roller Coaster
“The ‘rock opera’ is so unbelievably worse than we even thought possible, my goodness gracious,” a user wrote.
“One of my favorite book series growing up. THIS is a hard pass,” concluded another.
@DiscussingFilm One of my favorite book series growing up. THIS is a hard pass.
— Ann (@Unhappy_in_Cali) October 13, 2026
Trailers are intended to build anticipation, but the reactions highlighted here suggest that Netflix has considerable work ahead to win over skeptical viewers.
Gerwig may ultimately deliver a film that honors Lewis’s vision while introducing Narnia to a new generation. For now, however, the colorful spectacle and classic rock soundtrack appear to have left some fans questioning whether the world they remember will be recognizable.
What is your reaction to the first trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie? Sound off and let us know!
UP NEXT: David Zaslav Payout From Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Hits $606.1 Million, SEC Filing Shows
