Cinema · Screen Rant
Netflix Unveils Two New Fantasy Franchises
Netflix is set to replace its flagship high‑fantasy series The Witcher with two fresh franchises, the animated Magic: The Gathering series and Greta Gerwig’s live‑action Narnia film. The Narnia movie, The Magician’s Nephew, will hit Netflix on April 2 2027 and open in cinemas on February 12, 2027, marking the first time the studio will release a fantasy film theatrically. With a $280 million budget, the film will explore the origins of Narnia’s White Witch and the iconic lamppost. Meanwhile, the Magic: The Gathering series, revived in 2024 under showrunner Terry Matalas, will bring the 30‑year‑old card game to animated television after a 2019 announcement stalled by the Russo brothers. Netflix also plans a live‑action Dungeons & Dragons series, Ravenloft, led by John August and Alfonso Cuarón. The move follows earlier cancellations of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone and The Wheel of Time, underscoring the difficulty of sustaining fantasy on streaming platforms. Other services - HBO, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Peacock - are also expanding their fantasy line‑ups, signaling a broader industry push into the genre. Netflix’s new slate aims to capitalize on the genre’s long‑term fan loyalty and franchise potential.
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