Disney launched "The Mandalorian and Grogu" worldwide in theaters on May 22, 2026, marking the first Star Wars film in seven years and the first adapted from an online series [1, 2]. The film's opening weekend in the US and Canada over Memorial Day is expected to bring in $80 million, a figure considered modest compared to prior 21st century Star Wars movies but still a win for a big-budget release [1].
To promote the movie, Disney rolled out a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign that included themed beef sticks, watches, cologne, candles, and fast food partnerships [1]. In the month leading up to the release, the film's creators and cast toured globally and attended fan events to boost interest [1].
However, early critical response has been largely negative. Reviews starting in mid-May described the film as "horrific," though some acknowledged a few positive takes from early screenings [2]. One Fox News article summarized the reception by saying, "Early reviews are in, and it seems Star Wars fans may want to skip this one" and questioned, "Do fans really care about the 'The Mandalorian & Grogu?' I just don't think they do" [2].
Fan enthusiasm for the film is notably weaker than previous Star Wars releases. The same source described interest as low, with reports suggesting "nobody cares" about the latest installment [2]. Disney's handling of the Star Wars franchise since acquiring it has faced criticism, particularly concerning the sequel trilogy and most miniseries, though the streaming show "Andor" was a rare recent success [2].
Despite mostly negative reviews, some positive early feedback has been noted. The Fox News author conceded, "There were some positive reviews from the early screenings. Fair is fair" [2].
The film's Memorial Day weekend box office performance will be closely watched for further insight into its commercial prospects [1].
