The Mandalorian and Grogu: First Reactions Are In — Is This the Star Wars Movie Fans Have Been Waiting For?

Star Wars Is Finally Back on the Big Screen

Seven years after The Rise of Skywalker left fans divided in 2019, Star Wars has officially returned to theaters — and the verdict is starting to come in. The Mandalorian and Grogu premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on May 14, 2026, and early reactions from critics and journalists are painting a picture of a film that is genuinely fun, if not quite a galactic masterpiece.

Directed and co-written by Jon Favreau, with Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni heavily involved in production, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin alongside his beloved foundling companion Grogu — aka Baby Yoda — who stole hearts on the red carpet in what might be the cutest premiere appearance in cinema history. But this is not just a two-hander. The movie also features Sigourney Weaver making her Star Wars debut as Colonel Ward, a fighter and pilot who joins Mando and Grogu on their latest mission.

What Critics Are Saying

The reactions are mostly positive, with critics calling the film a return to form for the franchise. Here is the breakdown:

• USA TODAY Brian Truitt called it definitely fun and said it clears the bar of being better than The Rise of Skywalker, praising the spectacle of AT-ATs trudging through snow on the big screen.
• Erik Davis of Fandango described it as a thrilling adventure full of big fights, gnarly creatures and plenty of adorable Grogu moments, noting it reminded him how fun Star Wars can be when it stops worrying about canon homework and just cuts loose.
• Peter Sciretta (/Film founder) admitted the marketing had him worried but said the movie is actually a lot of fun — though he noted it feels more like a supersized high-budget episode of the TV show than a massive galactic event.
• Tom Chatalbash (FilmSpeak) praised it as a Star Wars adventure worthy of the big screen that goes back to Eastwood-esque space Western roots, and called Jeremy Allen White Rotta the Hutt a huge standout.

Not everyone was convinced, though. Freelance journalist Jonathan Sim called it one of the weakest Star Wars movies, describing it as an emotionless, predictable experience with dull, unexciting fight scenes. But even the skeptics are a minority so far.

What to Expect When It Drops May 22

Here is what we know going in: The Mandalorian and Grogu picks up after the events of the Disney+ series, with Din Djarin and Grogu embarking on a new adventure that takes them across the galaxy. With Pedro Pascal back in the beskar armor and Sigourney Weaver bringing serious action-hero energy, this is the kind of Star Wars content that bridges the gap between the beloved TV series and a big-screen event.

The film releases May 22, 2026, and lands in the middle of a packed summer movie season — going head-to-head with Christopher Nolan The Odyssey starring Matt Damon, the fifth Toy Story, and Masters of the Universe starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man. Competition is fierce, but Star Wars has its own built-in audience.

Will it dethrone Project Hail Mary or Obsession as the year best-reviewed film? Probably not — but if it delivers on the promise of its early reactions, it will remind audiences why they fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026. Are you watching it opening weekend?