The Magician's Nephew
C.S. Lewis
The 1955 novel the film is based on, and the sixth Narnia book to be published. It is set before the others.
About 186 pages, roughly 4 hours.
All book-to-film guides
Read it before you watch it: The Magician's Nephew
The Magician's Nephew is the 1955 novel behind Greta Gerwig's Narnia film. This guide covers where to start, how long it takes and what to read next.
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew
IMAX previews from February 10, 2027, and on Netflix from April 2, 2027.
- Greta Gerwig writes and directs the film, based on C. S. Lewis's 1955 novel.
- Netflix releases it in theaters first and on its streaming service later.
Announced details checked .
Read this first
Read the novel the film is based on. It is short, and it is set before the other Narnia books. Readers who prefer publication order can start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe instead. Both orders are common, so pick the one that suits you.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
The first Narnia book to be published, in 1950.
About 186 pages, roughly 4 hours.
If you loved it, read next
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow, a girl blamed for everything that goes wrong, is swept off to a hidden city of strange wonders, in a lively fantasy for middle-grade readers.
The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson learns the Greek myths are real and sets out to clear his name and stop a war among the gods, in a quick and funny adventure.
A Wizard of Earthsea
Ursula K. Le Guin
A proud young wizard makes a mistake that unleashes a dark shadow, in a short and serious fantasy about islands and the cost of power.
Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie, turned into an old woman by a witch's curse, moves into a wizard's castle that travels across the hills and tries to break the spell. Funny and warm.
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Written by a friend of C. S. Lewis, it sends a comfort-loving hobbit on a quest with thirteen dwarves to win back treasure from a dragon.
Books like The Hobbit
Where to start
The Magician's Nephew is a short read, and it is set earlier in Narnia's history than the other books. A reader new to the series can begin here, while readers who like publication order can start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Neither order is the correct one. For what to read after the film, Nevermoor and The Lightning Thief are lively, modern and written for younger readers, and Howl's Moving Castle is funny and warm. A Wizard of Earthsea is quieter and more serious, and its shadow can frighten a young child, so preview it before reading it aloud. The Hobbit is the classic to try if you want an older adventure.
Want something more personal?
Tell Bookworm what you liked and what you didn't, and get a short list chosen for you.
Get picks tailored to youA longer reading list
Want more reads in the same spirit? Books like The Hobbit.