The Mandalorian and Grogu Early Reactions Are In: What Fans and Influencers Are Saying

Here we go: after almost seven years of Star Wars living exclusively on the small screen, Disney and Lucasfilm are finally rolling the dice with a new theatrical release—'The Mandalorian and Grogu.' That's right, the first MandoVerse film (and also the first one to step completely outside the Skywalker orbit) is almost here, with Jon Favreau back at the helm as writer and director. Pedro Pascal is donning the helmet again, with everyone's favorite space toddler by his side, and this time they're setting out on an all-new mission: protecting Rota the Hutt from a legion of assassins. It’s a fresh corner of the galaxy and, frankly, a big swing that Disney very much needs to work.

The Road Here (and the Big Screen Test)

Let’s rewind for a second: Favreau was actually the guy who kicked off Disney+'s original programming back in 2019 with The Mandalorian, basically setting the gold standard for Star Wars TV storytelling and giving Disney+ a seriously strong launch. Now he’s trying to work that same magic on the big screen. But, reality check—early box office projections haven’t exactly been the stuff of Jedi prophecy. There’s been skepticism about whether anyone still wants to watch Star Wars in theaters after the last two movies sent fans into heated debates (putting it diplomatically).

In a classic PR move to drum up excitement, Disney and Lucasfilm invited select fans and influencers to check out the movie’s first 25 minutes on IMAX screens on May the 4th (of course). This wasn’t the first time they’ve previewed the film—20 minutes were also shown off at CinemaCon and even during set visits. Clearly, they want word of mouth on their side.

First Impressions: What the Select Few Saw

Let’s break down what people are saying about those opening scenes:

• Multiple viewers said the first 25 minutes felt a lot like a fresh season premiere for The Mandalorian—which, considering how much the Disney+ series has worked, is probably not a bad thing.
• Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin apparently gets to show off with a string of intense action sequences—'arguably the coolest he’s ever been,' according to one review.
• Ludwig Goransson’s score is getting singled out for how well it plays in these scenes, especially with that IMAX sound system.
• The visuals seem to be a mixed bag at this point. There are some comments that the CGI needs more polish, yet those same viewers think if the rest of the movie keeps up this pace, it could easily be a hit.
• Several people recommend seeing it on the biggest screen possible. The IMAX 1.43 aspect ratio apparently makes everything look massive and, well, epic.
• There’s also a heads up that much of what was shown is already in the trailers—so maybe keep expectations in check on seeing lots of brand new footage in those first 25 minutes.
• One review said the vibe reminded them of both The Mandalorian’s first season and the classic original Star Wars trilogy (so, an intentional throwback to what worked).

The Stakes (and the Gamble)

It’s pretty clear Disney and Lucasfilm are counting heavily on the fans who have stuck by the streaming shows to show up for the first Mando movie. Right now, their strategy seems to be: let enthusiastic reviews leak just enough to lure hesitant viewers back to theaters. Key quote from one of these early reviews (set off for maximum PR effect):

'The sound and scope of the opening sequence demand to be seen in IMAX.'

Whether that hype will actually get butts in seats is the big unknown, especially with some lingering skepticism after recent Star Wars films split the fanbase.

Maybe the most interesting part of all this: The Mandalorian and Grogu is not relying on legacy characters or Skywalker nostalgia. It’s letting the TV-era heroes run the show. Smart move? Or risky bet? We’ll find out soon.

When’s It Coming?

'The Mandalorian and Grogu' lands in theaters on May 22, 2026. Mark that one down, especially if you’re a fan who wants to see Star Wars take a swing at something genuinely new (even if it’s wrapped in plenty of familiar Beskar armor).