Star Wars next movie, The Mandalorian and Groguwill be huge for the franchise, but not just because it's taking its attack back to the big screen. Based on the hugely successful Disney+ TV show The Mandalorianthis film will be Star Wars first one that is inspired by a TV show and not vice versa. It's certainly not the first time The Mandalorian franchise made history Star Warsas happened several times during the first season.
Din Djarin and Grogu, who are now known as some of the Star Wars best characters, made a huge impact with their debut in The Mandalorian Season 1, which makes her first appearance on the big screen seem even more promising. The Mandalorian the first season especially became a trademark of Star Wars content, serving as the prime example for all live action Star Wars TV shows and even animated shows that followed in their footsteps. Because of this, the film has to feel like the first season all over again if it really wants to succeed.
The Mandalorian's first season is still the biggest Star Wars TV show
In terms of enthusiasm, viewership and audience ratings
While the title of Star Wars best TV show could certainly be debated, the numbers make it obvious that The Mandalorian continues to be Star Wars biggest show on TV, especially the first season. In terms of enthusiasm, viewership and even viewership, The Mandalorian season 1 is an absolute juggernaut, setting the bar so high that it has yet to be reached again. There was something very special The Mandalorian it was season 1 that allowed it to accomplish such feats, and while season 2 wasn't far behind, it still wasn't quite the same.
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Star Wars Live-Action TV Shows, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Viewership Scores |
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|---|---|---|
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TV program |
Critical score |
Audience Score |
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The Mandalorian season 1 (2019) |
93% |
92% |
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The Mandalorian season 2 (2020) |
93% |
91% |
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Andor (2022-2025) |
96% |
87% |
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Skeleton Crew (2024-2025) |
95% |
84% |
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Ahsoka (2023) |
86% |
64% |
|
Obi Wan Kenobi (2022) |
82% |
61% |
|
The Mandalorian season 3 (2023) |
85% |
50% |
|
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022) |
66% |
49% |
|
The Acolyte (2024) |
78% |
18% |
The TV show has only continued a downward trend since then, especially with the third season, the installment that will lead directly to The Mandalorian and Grogu film. It is becoming increasingly clear that The Mandalorian the first season is truly a pattern, and that the future of this story should take a deeper look at what exactly helped it not only be a huge success, but also resonate with audiences the way it did. If The Mandalorian and Grogu wants to capture audiences in the same way the franchise did five years ago, so it's absolutely essential that it models the first season.
The Mandalorian deviated from what made it a success
Din Djarin and Grogu are out of focus
This is even more true after seeing how controversial The Mandalorian the 3rd season really was, all because it moved so far away from where it started in the 1st season. The Mandalorian The first season was entirely about the growing bond between Din Djarin and Grogu, with the lone gunslinger leaving behind his old ways in favor of protecting the child he has come to care deeply about. In comparison, Season 3 sees Din Djarin and Grogu primarily assisting Bo-Katan Kryze's efforts to retake Mandalore from the Imperial Remnant under the Darksaber.
It's easy to see how the focus has shifted almost entirely from Din Djarin and Grogu themselves in The Mandalorianwith the second season falling somewhere between those two ideas. The Mandalorian and his adopted son have been the heart of the TV show since the beginning, and the further they move away from the center of the story, the worse the story itself becomes. The first season made Din Djarin and Grogu the hearts and faces of this TV show and with the film already promising them a starring role Star Wars You have to remember this even more.
The title promises a tighter focus on Din Djarin and Grogu
They have to follow the path of the first season
Why The Mandalorian and Grogu is literally named after Din Djarin and Grogu, it is even more important that Star Wars brings back the strong focus that the first season had on the duo. That's not to say the first season failed to explore stories and characters outside of these two; It is clear, however, that Even amid these alternative explorations, Din and Grogu's relationship and storyline were at the center of it all.. This trend continued loosely into Season 2, which helped it not fall too far behind Season 1, even if it wasn't as strong.
What the film really needs to do, in essence, is create its narrative around Din and Grogu, rather than simply creating a story for them to be a part of.
What the film really needs to do, in essence, is create its narrative around Din and Grogu, rather than simply creating a story for them to be a part of. The title already promises this, but the sequel will be a very different story. The title of The Mandalorianfor example, it seemed to promise something similar when it came to Din Djarin, but the creators started saying that the titular “Mandalorian” could refer to something more generic than Din himself – an idea that was, of course, met with public contempt. That certainly won't work for the film.
The Star Wars movie is a chance to formally redefine history
Getting back to the heart of things: Din Djarin and Grogu themselves
Perhaps most of all, though, the biggest reason why The Mandalorian and Grogu needs to feel like the first season because, like the TV show's own inaugural season, this film is a chance to Star Wars to reset yourself - particularly The Mandalorian. At the time of its release, The Mandalorian the first season was a live-action reset of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which was (and continues to be) a huge point of contention among fans. Now, in another time where Star Wars fan infighting is increasing, The Mandalorian and Grogu could be another reboot.
On a smaller scale, The Mandalorianthe story itself needs to be rebooted with this film after the mixed response it received for season 3. Discontent with the story really began when Din Djarin began bending the helmet rule after breaking it twice for Grogu in Season 2, in addition to Din and Grogu's quick reunion in The Book of Boba Fett. This beloved duo taking a backseat in season three added yet another layer of contempt that caused many audiences to turn away from the story completely.
If Star Wars wants to preserve what they created with The Mandalorian in 2019, so this movie has to deliver by returning to what worked in the first season. Din Djarin and Grogu must be at the center of the story no matter what, and while other characters can certainly shine, it all must come back to the duo who are motivating most moviegoers to go to the movies in the first place. That wholesome but compelling magic that surrounded Din Djarin and Grogu in the TV show's premiere should return to The Mandalorian and Grogu to be successful.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026.