The Mandalorian and Grogu Movie — Jon Favreau's Star Wars Epic Leads Summer 2026's Most Anticipated Releases

The Mandalorian Goes Big — Theatrical Star Wars Returns

The Mandalorian and Grogu is hitting theaters in 2026, and it's the movie Star Wars fans have been waiting for since the sequel trilogy ended. Directed by Jon Favreau, the series creator who's been shepherding Din Djarin and the Child (Grogu) through Disney+ since 2019, this marks the first theatrical Star Wars film since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

What We Know About the Film

The movie brings the beloved Disney+ series to the big screen, expanding the scope and scale of what we've seen on the small screen. Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin (The Mandalorian), and of course, Grogu — affectionately known as Baby Yoda — is along for the ride. The film is expected to bridge the gap between the streaming series and the larger Star Wars universe, potentially connecting to stories from Bob Iger's revitalized Disney strategy.

The summer 2026 movie season is shaping up to be stacked. Alongside The Mandalorian and Grogu, audiences can look forward to Mortal Kombat II, The Devil Wears Prada 2 with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway returning, and the Matt Damon vehicle that Newsday describes as another "finding his way home" adventure in the tradition of Saving Private Ryan and The Martian.

Why This Matters for Star Wars

Jon Favreau has essentially become the creative engine of the Star Wars franchise. Between The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, he's built a connected universe that many fans consider superior to the sequel trilogy era. Taking this property theatrical is a huge vote of confidence from Lucasfilm and Disney.

With Bob Iger confirming his 2026 exit as Disney CEO, The Mandalorian and Grogu could be one of the final major Star Wars releases under his leadership. If it delivers at the box office, it'll set the stage for the next era of Star Wars cinema — potentially including the IMAX Thanksgiving slot that Greta Gerwig's Narnia film just vacated (moved to February 2027). Star Wars is back on the big screen, and fans are ready.