Read this Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu movie review to find out if it’s worth watching. Ever since the first trailer, there’s been a bunch of conversation about this movie. Does it live up to the hype or the hate? To both questions, the answer is “yes.”

About Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

• Directed by Jon Favreau
• Written by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Noah Kloor
• Synopsis: “The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.”
• Release date: May 22, 2026
• Starring: Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Blum, Jeremy Allen White, Jonny Coyne, Matthew Willig, Martin Scorsese, Hemky Madera, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Shirley Henderson, Cullen Douglas, Nigel Gibbs, Bahia Haifi, Ajay Mehta, Peter Breitmayer, Rose Portillo, Joel Stoffer, Sonny Saito, Doug Chiang, and Deborah Chow

Watch the trailer below:

Warning: Spoilers for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

What Happens in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)?

The opening crawl says the Galactic Empire has collapsed, leading to the New Republic’s rise amidst ongoing Imperial criminal activity. Bounty hunter Din Djarin (“The Mandalorian”) and his apprentice, Grogu, are tasked with retrieving Commander Coin. Djarin confronts Imperial loyalist Commander Barro, ultimately causing his demise. Colonel Ward of the New Republic is mad that Barro’s dead. She needed intelligence on the Empire. Djarin is assigned to locate Rotta, the nephew of Jabba the Hutt, who is on Shakari. After learning that Rotta is a gladiator, Djarin attempts to rescue him, but Rotta refuses. Djarin discovers that Rotta’s life is threatened due to Lord Janu’s machinations. Djarin and Rotta escape the arena amidst chaos. Upon returning, they learn Commander Coin’s true identity. While Djarin brings Coin to Ward, Rotta is left hidden for safety. Djarin is captured by bounty hunter Embo, but Grogu aids in his rescue. They return to the Hutt palace to save Rotta, defeating foes using teamwork. Ultimately, Rotta expresses a desire to ally with the New Republic. The movie ends with Djarin teaching young Grogu how to fly with a jetpack

Who are the Main Characters, and How is the Acting?

Pedro Pascal gives another good performance. But as in the series, it appears that stunt doubles Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder performed most of the work, which naturally raises questions about whether the well-known Chilean actor—whose voice is consistently used for the character—had a more important involvement in the project. Djarin doesn’t go through much character development, but it does help move him away from being just a hired gun. It’s almost like they were afraid of changing him too much to keep from conflicting with the next season.

Sigourney Weaver does a good job as the hard-nosed Colonel Ward. But again, the actor doesn’t have much to work with. She’s a cartoon cut out of a rebel leader, but Weaver’s an amazing actor and steals the brief scenes perfectly. It ranks high in our list of every Sigourney Weaver sci-fi movie ranked from worst to best.

I never thought that the son of Jabba the Hutt would have an interesting story arc, but he does. Constantly trying to live up to his uncle’s infamy as a ruthless intergalactic gangster worked. They could have gone the obvious route of making him his uncle’s successor. Instead, he’s a powerful fighter hoping to become as famous as his dad, but for different reasons. Jeremy Allen White, best known for the psychological dramedy series The Bear, gives an excellent performance. The movie doesn’t go too deep into his motivations, but they hit enough.

Meanwhile, Martin Scorsese’s cameo as the nervous cook/informant was funny enough that it feels like more than stunt-casting. Production Designer Doug Chiang and Anthony Daniels have fun little cameos. Shirley Henderson is hilarious as always, voicing the small Anzellans (“Hey Hey!”).

Is Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) Technically Well Made?

While some backgrounds appear artificial, the film features visually pleasing moments tied to its fictional locations. However, the director, Favreau, prioritizes a relentless pace, sacrificing contemplative shots. The film includes intentional cinematic references beyond its saga, notably drawing inspiration from “Blade Runner” (1982) in the depiction of Shakari and evoking “The French Connection” (1971) during a vibrant car chase through its streets.
The script for the movie feels like three episodes of the show strung together as he fetch quests from one location to another, trying to complete his mission. The dialogue is full of needless expository monologues.

Directed by Jon Favreau and shot by cinematographer David Klein, the movie’s cinematography combines cutting-edge ICVX (in-camera visual effects) with practical sets, miniatures, and physical puppetry to preserve the franchise’s tactile, grounded aesthetic. They also utilized the LED Cube to create digital sets. Overall, Jon Favreau successfully utilized the IMAX format, delivering large-scale action sequences built for a massive theatrical experience. The practical effects were also top-notch.

There’s a lot of praise for production designer Doug Chiang (who co-designed the film with Andrew L. Jones) as one of the standout contributors to Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu. Reviewers and audiences consistently credit his art department for creating the film’s immersive, distinct, and tactile environments.

What’s Good and Bad in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)?

Pros

• IMAX Visuals
• Alien Worlds
• Practical Puppets
• Excellent Music
• New Characters
• Fun Action

Cons

• TV Feel
• Low Stakes
• Choppy Pacing
• Repetitive Sets

Final Verdict: Should You Watch Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)?

The film “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” offers a blend of silly, summer entertainment, characterized by adventure and a mix of delightful and scary creatures. Though it may disappoint adult fans due to a thin story and poor dialogue, it is recommended for children who will likely enjoy the action, chases, and the charm of Baby Yoda and Pedro Pascal. Despite its flaws, the film provides a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the original franchise, serving as a light, forgettable distraction rather than a must-see adventure for all Star Wars fans.

Overall: Watch Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

I’m giving Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 4 out of 5 stars

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