I read the books as a kid and HATED them. Later, in my adult life, I read more of CS Lewis's works and then re-read the Narnia series. LOVED the books as an adult.
Thought the movie was well done. I was quite fearful that they'd totally hack the book, but they did the story justice.
Our experience is pretty close to identical. I couldn't get into the books as a child but it wasn't the book's fault -- it was due to some influences in my childhood. I love TLTWaTW as an adult.
I saw this version of the movie with an adult friend and later he and I took my eight-year-old neighbor to see it and she absolutely loved it, although she had become heavily invested in Aslan's welfare and it was frightening to her when he was hit in the face at the stone table, and when the table cracked so loudly. She did well with the battle scenes.
If Gresham's movie had come out when I was a child and if I had been coached during my childhood before seeing the film regarding its themes, I would have enjoyed it immensely.