Netflix Urged to Honor Christian Themes in Narnia Films
Netflix producers of movies based on “The Chronicles of Narnia” are being urged to remain true to the beloved books by C.S. Lewis.
“The Christian community is not a niche,” Ted Baehr, the founder of Movieguide, wrote in a letter to the streaming giant. “It is a vast, values-driven audience that is hungry for stories that reflect their worldview, honor their convictions and stir their souls. With over 62 percent of American adults identifying as Christian in 2025 and 33 percent attending religious services monthly, this is not just a spiritual demographic — it’s a formidable market segment.”
Greta Gerwig, who directed the blockbuster “Barbie” movie, also is directing the upcoming Narnia film “The Magician’s Nephew.” Some websites reported earlier this year that producers were considering Meryl Streep for the role of Aslan, the lion who represents Jesus in the stories. Gerwig previously had pledged the movie would be “rooted in faith.”
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“Too often, adaptations of spiritually rich works, such as `The Magician’s Nephew,’ veer into tones that feel ironic, irreverent or campy,” the letter said. “These choices may appeal to critics, but they alienate the very audience that would champion the movie and prevent it from becoming an unprecedented success if it honors the sacred themes embedded in the story.”
Baehr told Netflix that he would personally promote “The Magician’s Nephew” if the movie meets important benchmarks, such as Christian themes from the books remaining in place and not begin distorted, that there is moral integrity in the story and that there is respectful portrayal of Aslan.
Ultimately, Baehr said following these standards would lead to “enthusiastic endorsements” from Christians, theologians and faith-based media.
“Potential pathways towards capitalizing on these opportunities and further finetuning for greatest possible appeal to the largest target audience would include careful and thoughtful reflection by the director, screenwriter or producers for a better understanding of Lewis’s Christian worldview, which could be achieved by consultation with theologians and/or Lewis scholars during development,” he said.
–Alan Goforth
