Mostly Keeping It Together — Useful by Nature
Kids & Learning

Narnia Is Back, and Finally There's a Reason to Open Something Besides the School App

October 15, 20263 min read

An open storybook with a lion illustration on a cozy couch beside a mug of cocoa and a child's lion drawing

The Short Version

Greta Gerwig's The Magician's Nephew is scheduled for theaters February 12, 2027, and Netflix April 2. Read the book first in ten-minute bites: one reader at a time, one question, no production.

Narnia is coming back

Apparently, Narnia is coming back. Excellent. A magical land with talking animals sounds restful compared with a kitchen containing three children who all need different snacks.

Netflix released the trailer for Greta Gerwig's The Magician's Nephew on October 13. The movie is scheduled for theaters February 12, 2027, and Netflix April 2. Which gives us time to read the book first, lose it under the couch, and read the book first again.

The Magician's Nephew tells the story of Narnia's beginnings. It comes first in the story's chronology, although The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published first. You can start with this movie's book without signing up to become the family librarian for all seven volumes.

Netflix Tudum: Narnia release date (Oct 13, 2026)

Our extremely prestigious family reading program

TEN MINUTES. That's it. Read after dinner or before bed. Stop at a sensible spot. Nobody needs to finish a chapter while a child slowly melts into the upholstery.

ONE READER AT A TIME. Read aloud yourself, invite willing kids to take turns, or listen to an audiobook together. This is connection time, not a surprise oral exam. Younger listeners can draw while you read.

ONE QUESTION. Try, "Would you trust that person? Why?" or "What do you think happens next?" Accept answers delivered upside down. Apparently, that is where some children keep their thoughts.

SKIP THE PRODUCTION. A blanket is lovely. A hand-carved wardrobe and themed cupcakes are grounds for a family intervention. Use the couch you already own.

MISS A NIGHT? Continue tomorrow. The book will not email you about your declining engagement.

"One book. One couch. Ten minutes. Someone will still ask for a snack."

Read It Before We Watch It

Our Read It Before We Watch It printable kit gives you a reading tracker, bookmarks, prediction cards and a book-versus-movie page. Print what helps. Leave the rest. We're building a family memory, not opening an accredited literary institution.

One book. One couch. Ten minutes. Someone will still ask for a snack.

Get the Read It Before We Watch It kit

Mentioned in This Post

An open storybook with a lion illustration on a cozy couch beside a mug of cocoa

Worth buying for learning

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The Narnia book to read before the movie arrives.

Why I Like It
It's the beginning of Narnia's story and the book behind Greta Gerwig's movie. One book, no seven-volume commitment required.
Best For
Families who want a ten-minute read-aloud habit before February.
What to Know
It comes first in the story's chronology, although The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published first.
Check Price

Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pinterest graphic: Family magic begins with a book — read The Magician's Nephew before the movie

Save this for later

Pin it to the board you'll actually check when you're standing in the store trying to remember what you read.

Useful Things, Straight to Your Inbox

Good finds, practical ideas, things worth buying, and occasional proof that none of us actually have this completely figured out.

Keep Reading