The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Movie, 2005, The Pevensies, Set in 1940, the Blitz
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is #1 of 3 in release order and #1 of 3 in chronological order in the The Chronicles of Narnia.
The story
Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe recap
During the Blitz in 1940, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie are evacuated from London to the country house of Professor Kirke. Playing hide and seek, Lucy steps through a wardrobe into Narnia, a snowy land where she meets the faun Mr. Tumnus. Narnia has been trapped in a hundred-year winter by the White Witch. Edmund follows Lucy in, meets the Witch, and is won over by enchanted sweets and her promise to make him a prince. When all four go in, the Beavers tell them of a prophecy that four humans will end the Witch's rule, and that the great lion Aslan has returned. Edmund slips away to the Witch, who imprisons him. The others meet Father Christmas, who gives them weapons, and Aslan's army rescues Edmund. The Witch claims Edmund's life as a traitor by Narnia's ancient law, and Aslan secretly gives himself up in his place and is killed on the Stone Table.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ending explained
Aslan comes back to life through a deeper magic and brings an army of freed creatures to the battle, where he kills the Witch. Edmund is badly wounded and healed by Lucy's cordial. The four are crowned at Cair Paravel and rule for years, growing up, until a hunt for a white stag leads them back through the wardrobe as children again, with no time passed.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. In a mid-credits scene, Lucy tries the wardrobe again, and Professor Kirke tells her he has tried for years and that they will not get back in that way, hinting that Narnia will find them again.
Where to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 76%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
- Chronological order: first, before The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
What to watch before The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Nothing. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first of the The Chronicles of Narnia essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie
- Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie
- William Moseley as Peter Pevensie
- Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie
- Tilda Swinton as White Witch
- Liam Neeson as Aslan (voice)
- James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus
- Jim Broadbent as Prof. Digory Kirke
- Ray Winstone as Mr. Beaver (voice)
- Dawn French as Mrs. Beaver (voice)
- James Cosmo as Father Christmas
- Judy McIntosh as Helen Pevensie
Directed by Andrew Adamson.