Get Ready for The Mandalorian and Grogu: 3 Movies and 2 TV Shows You Need to Watch First

So, after years of Star Wars living mainly on Disney+ with TV series, the galaxy far, far away is actually coming back to cinemas – and this time it's The Mandalorian & Grogu front and centre. But before you book your tickets and dust off the popcorn, let's get real: this film expects you to know your stuff. The whole thing is designed as a bit of a grand crossover event for all those Disney+ series, which is all well and good – if you've actually kept up. Truth is, most people haven't. I've watched every episode, and even I have to double-check what happened and where Grogu left off with his Jedi business.

Here’s some good news, though: you don't absolutely have to binge the entire Star Wars catalogue to enjoy The Mandalorian & Grogu. Still, if you want the plot and all the nostalgia shots to really land, certain films and episodes are going to be worth your time. Here’s the essential homework list for the best experience, in proper order, plus a couple of total curveball picks at the end.

First Up: The Must-Watch List

• 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' (2008 animated film)
  Not many saw this one in cinemas back in the day, and honestly, I still remember thinking it was a strange move for Star Wars. It’s basically the pilot for the long-running animated series and, crucially, it introduces Rotta – who just happens to be Jabba the Hutt’s son. So why is this relevant now? Well, thanks to Dave Filoni (the bloke who’s overseen half of modern Star Wars), Rotta is making the jump to live-action for The Mandalorian & Grogu. The film sets up Rotta's place (or lack thereof) in the Hutt crime family and gives you some idea why the new movie finds him turning his back on his father's way of doing things. He doesn't even speak Huttese.
• 'Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi' (1983)
  This one hardly needs an introduction. Jabba gets offed by Leia, the Emperor meets his end, and the New Republic is poised to (allegedly) bring some order to the galaxy. All of that mess creates the backdrop for The Mandalorian's world: shattered Empire, dodgy criminal underworld, and a Jedi Order that's trying to pick up the pieces. If you skip this, you’re missing not just Star Wars context but the reason half of these characters are where they are. Personally, I reckon skipping the Original Trilogy is borderline blaspheme, but at bare minimum, this one’s essential.
• 'The Mandalorian' (2019–2023) – Select Episodes
  Here’s where it gets tricky. Mainstream audiences might not fancy breezing through three full seasons, but if you want genuine context for Din Djarin and Grogu’s bond (and all the Mando-lore), the early and final episodes of each season matter. If the idea of a greatest hits run appeals, target these:
  • Season 1: Episodes 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 (sets up Din, Grogu, and the state of the Empire's leftovers)
  • Season 2: Episodes 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (expands their partnership, delivers Grogu’s name, and brings in Luke Skywalker for that teary send-off)
  • 'The Book of Boba Fett' (2021), Episodes 6 & 7
    Plot twist: if you want to know why Grogu’s hanging out with Din again in series 3, it’s all in someone else’s show. These two episodes are essentially 'Mandalorian Season 2.5', showing Grogu's training with Luke and the reasons behind his return. If you skip these, The Mandalorian’s timeline just becomes nonsensical.
  • 'The Mandalorian' Season 3, Episode 4
    Not everyone was thrilled with the most recent series, but this one’s a highlight. We finally get a flashback of Grogu's escape from Order 66, the infamous Jedi purge from Revenge of the Sith. Fills in a big blank in his backstory.

  And Now for the Deep Cuts: Bonus Picks

  Embo Episodes in 'The Clone Wars'
  Hardcore fans who want to see where one of the new film’s key bounty hunters came from should check out Embo’s animated run: Season 2, Episode 17 is his debut, then watch for more in Season 3 (Ep 4), Season 4 (Eps 17, 18, 20, 22), Season 5 (Ep 14), and Season 6 (Ep 5). Not essential, but fun for completists.

  The Wildcard Influences: 'Blade Runner' (1982) & 'Top Gun' (1986)
  Now this is what I find a bit hilarious – not official Star Wars canon at all, but apparently Jon Favreau and co. have borrowed quite a bit of stylistic inspiration here. Some early viewers claim the neon-lit cityscapes of The Mandalorian & Grogu have more than a whiff of Blade Runner’s moody sci-fi vibe, and the overall formula leans into classic blockbuster escapism – think Top Gun’s cocky-flyer energy, just in space. If you want to catch the visual references and allusions, maybe throw these two on your list for a laugh.

  'You don’t have to chain-watch every bit of Star Wars, but if you want to properly appreciate why Grogu’s hanging out with Din or who these new Hutt family members are, trust me, this is the lot you shouldn’t skip.'

  In short – no, you don’t have to become a Star Wars scholar. But if you jump into The Mandalorian & Grogu totally cold, prepare for some serious head-scratching. Skip the filler, catch the highlights above, and you'll have all the context you need before returning to the cinema for the first proper Star Wars film since the pre-COVID era. Honestly, it's the Star Wars equivalent of cramming for your A-levels – do the prep, and you'll have a much better time.