Star Wars’ next movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu, will be massive for the franchise, but not only because it’s leading their charge back to the movie theater. Based on the hugely successful Disney+ TV show The Mandalorian, this movie will be Star Wars’ first that takes inspiration from a TV show rather than vice versa. It’s certainly not the first time The Mandalorian franchise has made history for Star Wars, as it did so plenty of times back during season 1.
Din Djarin and Grogu, who are now renowned as some of Star Wars’ best characters, made a huge impact with their debut in The Mandalorian season 1, which makes their first big-screen appearance seem even more promising. The Mandalorian season 1 especially has become such a hallmark of Star Wars content, serving as the prime example for all the live-action Star Wars TV shows, and even animated shows, that have followed in its footsteps. Because of this, the movie absolutely must feel like season 1 again, should it truly wish to succeed.
The Mandalorian Season 1 Is Still Star Wars’ Biggest TV Show
In Terms Of Hype, Viewership, & Audience Ratings
While the title of Star Wars’ best TV show could certainly be debated, the numbers make it obvious that The Mandalorian continues to be Star Wars’ biggest TV show, particularly season 1. In terms of hype, viewership, and even audience ratings, The Mandalorian season 1 is an absolute juggernaut, setting the bar so high that it has yet to be reached again. There was something very special about The Mandalorian season 1 that allowed it to accomplish such feats, and while season 2 wasn’t far behind, it still wasn’t quite the same.
Star Wars Live-Action TV Shows, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Audience Scores | ||
|---|---|---|
TV Show | Critic Score | Audience Score |
The Mandalorian season 1 (2019) | 93% | 92% |
The Mandalorian season 2 (2020) | 93% | 91% |
Andor (2022-2025) | 96% | 87% |
Skeleton Crew (2024-2025) | 95% | 84% |
Ahsoka (2023) | 86% | 64% |
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) | 82% | 61% |
The Mandalorian season 3 (2023) | 85% | 50% |
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022) | 66% | 49% |
The Acolyte (2024) | 78% | 18% |
The TV show has only continued a downward trend ever since, especially with season 3, the installment that will lead directly into The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. It’s become increasingly clear that The Mandalorian season 1 is truly a standard, and that the future of this story ought to take a deeper look at what exactly helped it to not only be a huge success, but also resonate with audiences the way it did. If The Mandalorian & Grogu wants to capture audiences the way the franchise did five years ago, then it’s absolutely essential that it models season 1.
The Mandalorian Has Strayed From What Made It Such A Hit
Din Djarin & Grogu Are Out Of Focus
This is even more true after seeing just how controversial The Mandalorian season 3 really was, all because it strayed quite far from where it had started in season 1. In essence, The Mandalorian season 1 was entirely about the growing bond between Din Djarin and Grogu, with the lone gunfighter putting his old ways behind in favor of protecting the child he had come to care for deeply. In comparison, season 3 sees Din Djarin and Grogu mostly assisting in Bo-Katan Kryze’s efforts to retake Mandalore from the Imperial Remnant under the Darksaber.
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It’s easy to see how the focus has almost entirely shifted away from Din Djarin and Grogu themselves in The Mandalorian, with season 2 falling somewhere in between these two ideas. The Mandalorian and his adopted child have been the heart of the TV show ever since the beginning, and the more they stray from the center of the storyline, the worse off the story itself becomes. Season 1 made Din Djarin and Grogu the hearts and faces of this TV show, and with the movie already promising them a starring role, Star Wars has to remember that even more.
The Title Promises A Tighter Focus On Din Djarin & Grogu
They Have To Follow-Through The Way Season 1 Did
Because The Mandalorian & Grogu is quite literally named after Din Djarin and Grogu, it’s even more important that Star Wars brings back the tight focus season 1 had on the duo. That’s not to say season 1 failed to explore stories and characters outside these two; it’s clear, however, that even amidst these alternate explorations, Din and Grogu’s relationship and storyline were at the heart of it all. This trend continued loosely in season 2, which is what helped it to stay not far behind season 1, even if it wasn’t quite as strong.
What the movie truly has to do, in essence, is craft its narrative around Din and Grogu rather than simply create a story that they’re a part of.
What the movie truly has to do, in essence, is craft its narrative around Din and Grogu rather than simply create a story that they’re a part of. The title already promises this, but the follow-through will be a much different story. The title of The Mandalorian, for example, seemed to promise something similar as far as Din Djarin is concerned, but the creators began to say that the titular “Mandalorian” could refer to something more generic than Din himself – an idea that was, of course, met with contempt from the audience. This certainly won’t work for the movie.
Their Star Wars Movie Is A Chance To Formally Reset The Story
Going Back To The Heart Of Things: Din Djarin & Grogu Themselves
Perhaps above all else, however, the biggest reason why The Mandalorian & Grogu needs to feel like season 1 is because, like the TV show’s inaugural season itself, this movie is a chance for Star Wars to reset itself – particularly The Mandalorian. At the time of its release, The Mandalorian season 1 was a live-action reset from the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which had been (and continues to be) a major point of contention amongst fans. Now, in another era where Star Wars fandom infighting is on the rise, The Mandalorian & Grogu could be another reset.
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On a smaller scale, The Mandalorian‘s story itself needs a reset with this movie after the mixed response it received in season 3. The displeasure with the story truly began when Din Djarin began to double down on his helmet rule after breaking it twice for Grogu in season 2, in addition to Din and Grogu’s quick reunion in The Book of Boba Fett. This beloved duo taking more of a backseat in season 3 added yet another layer of contempt that caused many audiences to somewhat withdraw from the story altogether.
If Star Wars wants to preserve what they created with The Mandalorian back in 2019, then this movie has to deliver by returning to what worked in season 1. Din Djarin and Grogu must be at the heart of the story no matter what, and while other characters are certainly allowed to shine, everything must come back to the duo that’s motivating most viewers to go to the movie theater in the first place. That wholesome yet compelling magic surrounding Din Djarin and Grogu in the TV show’s debut must make a return for The Mandalorian & Grogu to succeed.
The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.
The Mandalorian & Grogu is a Star Wars movie directed by Jon Favreau that continues Disney+’s immensely popular TV Show, The Mandalorian. The film will replace The Mandalorian season 4 to bring the franchise back to the big screen and follow Din Djarin and his adventures with Grogu. The Mandalorian & Grogu is the first Star Wars film to be released since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
- Release Date
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May 22, 2026
- Studio(s)
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Lucasfilm