Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Review: A Crowd-Pleasing Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the franchise’s long-awaited return to the big screen, and it’s a homecoming that has divided critics while winning over audiences. As the first Star Wars movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, the film brings the beloved duo from the Disney+ series to theaters for a new adventure that feels both familiar and fun.
The numbers tell a fascinating story. The critics’ score of 64% places it as one of the lower-rated Disney-era Star Wars films, behind The Force Awakens (93%), Rogue One (84%), and The Last Jedi (91%), but above The Rise of Skywalker (51%)[reference:0]. However, the audience score of 88% is a record-breaker—it’s the highest Popcornmeter score of any Star Wars movie in the Disney era, surpassing The Force Awakens (84%) and Rogue One (87%)[reference:1]. This stark contrast suggests a film that critics find safe and familiar, but that fans genuinely love.
Critics have been mixed in their assessments. The Hollywood Reporter called it “an entertaining, fast-spaced space adventure that benefits immeasurably from the charisma of Pedro Pascal,” while noting it “still feels stubbornly small in its relatively inconsequential storyline and themes”[reference:2]. Polygon’s review argued that the film “more than rises to the challenge of feeling like a capital M Movie… but fails to feel like a Star Wars Movie in anything but branding”[reference:3]. The BFI’s Sight & Sound described it as “a pleasant but eminently forgettable outing,” criticizing its “repetitive hunt-battle-flee-battle pattern” that “feels like four TV episodes soldered together”[reference:4].
Audiences, however, have embraced the film with open arms. ScreenRant’s review described it as “a charming crowd-pleaser that plays it safe” and “funny, sweet, very emotional at times, and full of action and adventure”[reference:5]. Many audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes praise the action sequences, the film’s faithfulness to the spirit of The Mandalorian series, and its ability to be enjoyed by both adults and children[reference:6]. The film captures the right tone and spirit of Star Wars, which has been a rare feat for the franchise in recent years. While it may not push the boundaries of the Star Wars universe, it delivers exactly what fans want: a fun, heartfelt adventure with their favorite bounty hunter and his adorable green companion.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Cast: The Heroes and Villains of the New Republic Era
The film brings together a talented ensemble, blending returning favorites with exciting new additions to the Star Wars galaxy:
Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, the stoic bounty hunter known as the Mandalorian. Pascal’s vocal performance and physicality (shared with Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder) continue to define the character. Grogu, the adorable Force-sensitive foundling, remains the heart of the film, with his animatronic and CGI portrayal winning over audiences once again. Sigourney Weaver joins the franchise as Colonel Ward, a New Republic officer who assigns Din his mission, bringing a commanding presence to the role[reference:7].
Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt, who has grown tired of living in his father’s shadow and becomes a major part of the movie, joining forces with Din and Grogu[reference:8]. Jonny Coyne reprises his role as the Imperial warlord Lord Janu (also known as Coin) from The Mandalorian series. In a delightful surprise, legendary director Martin Scorsese makes his franchise debut as the voice of Hugo, a nervously jabbering four-armed Shakari street vendor, providing some of the film’s biggest laughs[reference:9].
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Plot: A Mission for the New Republic
The story begins after the fall of the Empire, with Imperial warlords scattered throughout the galaxy. Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu are working for the New Republic, hunting down these remnants of the old regime[reference:10]. After successfully completing a mission involving hulking AT-ATs in snowy crevices, Din and Grogu head to the New Republic base, where Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) gives Din his new assignment[reference:11].
The crime lord Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta (Jeremy Allen White), has been kidnapped. Jabba’s twin cousins, who are running his empire after his death, have information about the warlord Coin and are willing to reveal his location when Rotta is returned to them[reference:12]. Din is not too keen on the task—Hutts are slimy, treacherous, and not to be trusted—but he goes anyway, meeting the twins before heading to the planet Shakari, where Rotta is supposed to be[reference:13].
What Din finds on Shakari is not what he expected. Rotta has been forced to battle space monsters in a gladiatorial arena, and he’s grown tired of living in his father’s shadow[reference:14]. The rescue mission takes Mando and Grogu planet-hopping, from the swampy Nal Hutta to the Blade Runner-esque Shakari streets, as they navigate a web of Hutt politics and Imperial secrets[reference:15]. The film follows the Lone-Wolf-and-Cub template that made the series so beloved, exploring the “found family” theme as Mando and Grogu’s hard-won bond is contrasted with Rotta’s fear of his scheming aunt and uncle and horror at his own Hutt heritage[reference:16].
Many gladiatorial combats, gross and glorious creatures later, all is well that ends well. The climax sees Rotta smashing the ground of the Hutt palace, forcing all three Hutts to fall into a pit where a deadly Dragonsnake lurks. Grogu uses the Force to save Rotta, and the trio are rescued. Rotta decides to work for the New Republic, and the New Republic squadrons fly in to provide a satisfying finish with explosions and blasts of fire[reference:17]. It’s a simple, family-friendly narrative that captures the spirit of the original Star Wars adventures while delivering plenty of action and heart.
“The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy.”
