The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the return of Star Wars to theaters for the first time in seven years, since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. That also happens to be the same year that Star Wars took the streaming world by storm with the release of The Mandalorian on Disney+.
With three seasons of the series under their belts, Din Djarin and his adorable adopted child make the leap to the big screen while carrying the burden of reestablishing Star Wars as a blockbuster film franchise.
The result is a pulpy action adventure full of epic visuals. However, beyond the impressive VFX, the story lacks the weight or depth to justify the feature film treatment. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu looks and sounds like a blockbuster, but still feels like a TV movie. Regardless, bolstered by Ludwig Göransson’s thrilling score, a deep roster of stunning creatures and characters, fantastic Mando action and plenty of laughs, the film offers plenty for fans of the series to enjoy.
The Mandalorian and Grogu releases May 23, 2026.
Official Synopsis of The Mandalorian and Grogu
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is written by Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni & Noah Kloor, and is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, p.g.a., Ian Bryce, p.g.a., Jon Favreau, p.g.a., and Dave Filoni, p.g.a., with Karen Gilchrist, John Bartnicki, and Carrie Beck serving as executive producers. The music is composed by Ludwig Göransson.
Blockbuster Visuals Can’t Hide the TV Roots
In many ways, Star Wars is the original blockbuster film franchise. When George Lucas’A New Hope released in 1977 (just called Star Wars back then), it set the modern standard for the impact a feature film could have on pop culture. Through most of the last 50 years, Star Wars was known as the film franchise that every studio aspired to develop. However, despite a strong relaunch in 2015 with The Force Awakens and the well regarded Rogue One in 2016, Star Wars does not currently hold the same elite status it once did.
Following the mixed reception for The Rise of Skywalker, the franchise took an unplanned hiatus from feature films, focusing instead on the rapidly growing streaming world. There, Pedro Pascal’s The Mandalorian struck gold, thanks in large part to the genius introduction of the “Baby Yoda” character, Grogu.
Din Djarin and Grogu’s Story Deserved More Evolution
Inspired by the legendary Japanese samurai manga, Lone Wolf and Cub, the series focused on Pascal’s stoic Din Djarin fighting a dangerous galaxy to keep his Force powerful adopted son safe. Over three seasons, the duo have overcome bounty hunters, Imperial remnants, criminal elements and even a period of separation. Given all that, one might expect that the jump to theatrical would also take their relationship and overall story to the next level. One might assume that, considering this film represents Star Wars’ theatrical return, it would warrant a story that has a massive impact on the galaxy at large.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Instead of taking full advantage of the format and telling a story that grows and deepens both Din Djarin (Pascal) and Din Grogu as characters, individually and together, the film is in essence a 2 or 3 episode adventure taken from streaming and stitched together for the big screen. As a result, the pacing is awkward, as you can feel the seams between episodes where credits might have aired and the “next episode” button might have started filling up.
The Film Opens with a Stunner
The main story of the film is more memorable side-quest than core experience. Djarin, now working freelance for the New Republic (which seems to lack anything genuinely “new”), is tasked by Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) to take down lingering Imperial devotees and gather helpful intel. His first mission in the film takes place on a snow laden planet, complete with massive AT-AT walkers featured in the trailers. The opening scene, which makes up the first mission, makes full use of feature film visual effects, and is genuinely one of the best action sequences in the entirety of the franchise. It’s immediately clear that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni were eager to take the visuals to a level that streaming budgets don’t allow. The film begins with such a bang that your hype level goes up dramatically.
Rotta the Hutt Is a Bold but Uneven Addition
After that opening mission, Din Djarin is quickly dispatched on another task, this time a favor for the Hutts to rescue Jabba’s heir to his criminal empire, Rotta. Rotta first appeared in the animated theatrical film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (directed by Filoni) in 2008, which officially kicked off the beloved animated series. Then, he was introduced as a silly baby slug, and now, that slug has grown into a massive figure, complete with massive arms and six-pack abs.
The decision to use a hulked out Rotta as a central figure in the story was a bold one by Favreau, Filoni & Noah Kloor, who wrote the script together. Adding Jeremy Allen White as the voice of Rotta was another big swing. There was clearly a desire to subvert expectations with a Hutt character and that ambition should be applauded. The execution however often made various scenes with Rotta overly absurd or downright laughable and ultimately feels like an example of trying too hard to do something too different.
As one might expect when dealing with the Hutts, things don’t go quite according to plan and Din Djarin and Grogu must save each other and avoid jeopardizing the New Republic’s work.
A Visual Feast with a Thrilling Score
What stands out throughout the film is that it is a visual feast full of stunning new creatures. Fans who love the variety of alien beings in the Star Wars universe will love all the different creatures that are introduced, both as major and minor characters. The highlight of the new creatures is Ardennian, delightfully voiced by legendary director Martin Scorsese.
Ludwig Göransson, who recently won his third Oscar for his work in Sinners, delivers a powerful and moving score that honors the iconic musical tradition of John Williams and adds an epic quality to the film overall. Göransson really understands how and when to let the music take the baton and carry the emotions during critical scenes and when to let it settle into the background.
Mandalorian and Grogu Plays it Safe
Despite the visuals and Göransson’s magic, the plot leaves much to be desired. When a TV series makes the jump to the big screen, the best stories justify the change in medium. The ideal situation is a uniquely meaningful story that leaves a lasting impact on the protagonists and/or the world around them. And while there are some interesting elements in The Mandalorian and Grogu that are sure to evolve the relationship of the title characters, the change is not nearly as substantial or meaningful as one might hope to see in a feature film. Favreau and Filoni could have used this opportunity to more fully establish where the stories of Din Djarin and Grogu are going and the larger implications for our favorite Galaxy Far, Far, Away. Grogu is potentially the most critical character for the future of the galaxy, and certainly one of the most powerful. In a part of the Star Wars timeline when Jedi are few and far between, the existence of Grogu has massive implications. Fans of the series have known this since the first season, but it’s hardly been elaborated on. This film was the perfect opportunity to do so. Instead, they played it safe, played the hits, and went for a feel-good crowd pleaser.
In the end, that’s exactly what they accomplished. The Mandalorian and Grogu is enjoyable and reliable for some fantastic action and cute laughs. Din Djarin gets to show off some epic fight skills that are reminiscent of Batman in the Arkham Asylum video games, and truly establish him as the feared bounty hunter that his reputation indicates. Those fight sequences alone are worth the price of admission. Further, what the film also accomplishes is the opportunity for all audiences to enjoy the film in a largely self-contained story. While it’s obviously a continuation of a series with three-seasons, audiences don’t really need to know much about what has transpired in the past. It also gives very little indication of what’s to come for the duo going forward.
For fans of the franchise and characters, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a welcome continuation of their story in a glitzy new format. For those hoping for a return to form for Star Wars as the preeminent blockbuster film franchise, they’ll have to wait at least until Starfighter in May 2027.
Rating – 3/5 Pocky
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
