Star Wars is back in theaters, but the return comes with a noticeable catch. The Mandalorian and Grogu arrived on May 22, 2026, bringing Pedro Pascal‘s beloved bounty hunter and his tiny green companion to the big screen for the first time. While families showed up and the box office numbers look solid, a growing number of critics and fans agree on one thing: the movie plays it very safe and could have used more risk.
The film marks Star Wars‘ first theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. With a runtime of 132 minutes, director Jon Favreau chose to continue the story directly from where the Disney+ series left off. But that choice has become the main point of discussion.
Critics Say The Mandalorian and Grogu Feels Like a Long TV Episode
The biggest criticism surrounding The Mandalorian and Grogu is that it does not feel like a true movie event. Multiple reviews from the film’s press screenings described the experience as watching an extended episode of the television show rather than a standalone cinematic adventure.
Some early viewers praised the film’s energy and called it an entertaining ride. Others argued the transition from streaming to the big screen did not work well. One reviewer noted the movie puts more effort into expanding the Star Wars world than developing its characters.
“Some critics argued the film feels closer to an extended episode of The Mandalorian than a standalone cinematic event.”
The social media reactions following the world premiere were mostly positive but carried a clear warning. Many said the movie delivers exactly what you expect. There is plenty of action, Grogu does cute things, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt steals scenes. But the general agreement is that it plays out like a feature-length television episode.
Not everyone was happy. Some viewers called the film underwhelming and visually familiar. Critics also pointed out that Jeremy Allen White‘s Rotta the Hutt did not work for everyone, with some questioning the character’s execution.
Where Does The Mandalorian and Grogu Fit in the Star Wars Timeline?
The movie picks up after The Mandalorian Season 3. The Empire has fallen, and the New Republic is trying to keep control. Din Djarin and Grogu now work together officially, with Grogu as his apprentice. At the end of Season 3, Bo-Katan Kryze helped reclaim Mandalore, Moff Gideon was defeated, and the pair started doing missions for the New Republic.
The new film sends them after Rotta the Hutt. They take on this tracking mission in exchange for information about remaining Imperial threats. The story stays inside the “New Republic” timeline, which happens after Return of the Jedi.
The bond between Din Djarin and Grogu has grown into a father-son relationship. Grogu briefly trained with Luke Skywalker but returned to Din in Season 3. Now they operate together as a team.
Box Office Performance Shows Success With a Catch
The Mandalorian and Grogu opened over Memorial Day weekend. The numbers tell an interesting story. The film pulled in $98 million over the four-day weekend in North America. Worldwide, the opening frame reached $167 million.
Those numbers look strong for most movies. But for Star Wars, this is a series low. It is the smallest domestic opening for any live-action Star Wars film. The movie did exceed expectations. Early projections had the three-day numbers at $81-82 million, and the film hit the upper range of those predictions.
The more telling detail is who showed up. Reports indicate families, not dedicated fanboys, drove the box office. And Disney seems fine with that result. The movie cost a reported $21.8 million in California tax credits alone, with a full production employing 500 crew members and over 3,000 extras.
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The Missing Element That Could Have Made the Movie Better
The main complaint from critics and fans comes down to one issue: stakes. The movie does not push Din Djarin or Grogu into genuinely dangerous territory. The story follows a familiar path without taking real risks.
For a franchise that has struggled to find its footing after the sequel trilogy, playing it safe makes business sense. Disney needed a sure thing to bring Star Wars back to theaters. But for audiences who have followed The Mandalorian since 2019, the lack of higher stakes leaves the film feeling like more of the same rather than a necessary chapter.
The film ties into the larger Star Wars Disney+ universe, connecting threads from The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. Dave Filoni co-wrote the screenplay, so connections to the Thrawn storyline remain possible.
Sigourney Weaver joins the cast alongside Pedro Pascal and Jeremy Allen White. The movie is playing in theaters now in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
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