Highlights:
- Star Wars returns to theaters in May 2026 with The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Pedro Pascal reprises his role alongside Grogu, with Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White joining the cast
- Jon Favreau directs his first feature film since The Lion King in 2019
- The film marks Disney’s shift from streaming back to big-screen releases after franchise reevaluation
The Star Wars franchise is heading back to theaters for the first time in six years with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Disney released the first trailer for the film, which will open in May 2026, marking the first theatrical installment since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
Return to the big screen
The project grew out of delays to season four of The Mandalorian following the 2023 Hollywood strikes. During that time, Lucasfilm restructured its plans for the franchise and prioritized a feature film over continuing the series. The result is the first Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker, which earned over $1 billion worldwide but divided critics and audiences.
Cast and characters
Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, better known as the Mandalorian, with Grogu, the fan-favorite character also known as Baby Yoda. The film introduces new faces to the saga, including Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White, who plays Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt.
Favreau takes the Helm
Jon Favreau, who launched The Mandalorian on Disney+, will direct the film. It will be his first feature project since The Lion King in 2019, adding to a filmography that includes Iron Man, Elf and Chef. Favreau has described the film as a story about parenting, noting that the generational themes are meant to resonate with fans who grew up with the original trilogy and are now raising families of their own.
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Release slate and competition
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to premiere in May 2026, arriving in a crowded summer lineup that also includes Supergirl, Toy Story 5, Scary Movie 6, Minions 3 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The trailer follows the recent unveiling of the first image from Star Wars: Starfighter, another upcoming film in the franchise starring Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, Mia Goth and Aaron Pierre, due in summer 2027.
Lucasfilm’s new direction
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has positioned the movie as part of a broader shift in strategy. She emphasized that streaming allowed experimentation but that theatrical releases offer a different kind of audience building. By moving The Mandalorian to the big screen after three successful seasons, the studio hopes to provide both longtime and younger fans with a fresh entry point into the saga.
