There’s One Group of Filmmakers Netflix ‘Just Won’t Work With’

Published: June 10, 2026

By India McCarty

Netflix chairman Dan Lin has made it clear the streamer won’t be partnering with filmmakers who want theatrical releases.

“There is a group of filmmakers who still want theatrical,” he told The New York Times. “Those are filmmakers that we’ve accepted we just won’t work with.”

Netflix film chief Dan Lin has reaffirmed that they will not work with directors who want theatrical releases.

“There is a group of filmmakers who still want theatrical. Those are filmmakers that we’ve accepted we just won’t work with.”

(Source: https://t.co/ROFi7nYgEZ) pic.twitter.com/5eKsTVG3hu

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 6, 2026

He explained, “Because I have such a huge slate, my job is very different from other studio chairmen’s jobs. I can’t impose my taste on the slate. But I can impose a way of making movies. I can impose a way of how we want to work with filmmakers. I think people on the outside are pretty clear on what I’m going for: making someone’s favorite movie in a specific genre, focusing on variety and quality and making Netflix the best place for filmmakers to work.”

Lin, who joined Netflix in 2024, clarified that their decision to give Greta Gerwig’s upcoming NARNIA adaptation a theatrical release, is the exception, not the rule.

Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW is set to hit theaters Feb. 12, 2027, coming to Netflix on April 2, 2027.

“Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary and Imax continues to be an incredible partner. I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters,” the BARBIE director told Tudum.

A spokesperson from IMAX added, “From the outset, we got involved with NARNIA: THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW to support Greta Gerwig and see her vision realized to the fullest in Imax. The film’s delay until 2027 creates an opportunity to give Narnia an expanded, wide release with a full theatrical window; we support Greta and Netflix in pursuing that opportunity and are pleased Imax could help facilitate.”

“We hope as many people in as many places as possible can experience what Greta is creating with this special film — particularly in its exclusive debut in Imax, as it was meant to be seen,” the statement concluded.

Netflix might have decided not to prioritize theatrical releases, but other streamers have made it clear they want to partner with theaters. Both Apple and Amazon have shared their commitment to putting their movies on the big screen before bringing them to streaming — Apple reportedly spends $1 billion on theatrical releases per year, while Amazon announced a commitment to putting 12 to 15 new movies in theaters annually in 2022.

“It’s very encouraging,” Greg Marcus, CEO of Marcus Theatres, the fourth-largest U.S. circuit, told Variety. “We believe in the importance of theatrical in an entertainment ecosystem. A theatrical run sets the tone and distinguishes product in a way that nothing else can…with the appropriate length window so the customer is incentivized to go to theaters.”

Time will tell if Netflix decides to stick to strictly streaming their content.

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