Moviestore/ShutterstockUsually when you head to your local theater to see a movie, the movie is the highlight of the experience, and how that image makes it to the screen isn’t a high priority. However, as streaming has become more common in recent years, movie theaters are now slowly transforming into prestige events, and more care has been put into delivering something that couldn’t be shown elsewhere. Maybe you’re going for refreshments brought right to your seat, or for a livestreamed Q&A, maybe even an interactive element or moving seats. In the past three years specifically, more attention has been paid to the format of the film: IMAX and IMAX 70mm film especially became especially sought-after formats, with showing selling out in minutes and fans taking flights to one of the 41 theaters equipped to show this format. Now, an upcoming event film is taking this engagement and making it more accessible for the average viewer. Greta Gerwig’s next movie will be shown on 70mm (non-Imax) film. | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesAccording to the X account @isitshotonfilm, Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film The Magician’s Nephew, the first of Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia film series adaptation, will be shot on 35mm and 70mm film by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, who previously worked on movies like We Need to Talk About Kevin and Atonement. But most excitingly, it will be released on 5-perf 70mm film. The “5-perf” means it is printed vertically, like classic cinematic filmstrips of yore. This term is to differentiate it from IMAX 70mm — the vertical film is 5 perforations (the little holes along the side) tall, while the horizontal film is 15 perforations wide. This means you can see the movie on film without having to trek all the way to an IMAX theater. But is that worth it? Look at it this way: normal movie theater showings, even most IMAX screens, project a digital image. But there’s nothing like the organic feeling of film, especially for a movie as nostalgic as this. 5-perf 70mm was the “large format” in the days of film movie showings, an upgrade from the previous 35mm. | 20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockThis is a rare option for Netflix movies: only Roma and Rebel Moon were previously given 70mm film showings. The Magician’s Nephew began as an IMA exclusive movie releasing during the 2026 Thanksgiving weekend, but in May of this year the release was delayed until February of 2027. But this delay was actually a huge boon to the film, as it also came with an expanded, wide release. With the knowledge that some film showings will be available, this means that an exclusive viewing experience is now accessible than ever — plus, it’s a fun time capsule into film history. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew premieres in theaters on February 12, 2027.