The Mandalorian and Grogu Movie: Trailer, Cast, Release

Din Djarin, the bounty hunter who turned a fifty-pound green child into the most marketable face in modern Star Wars, is finally getting a movie. The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in US theaters Friday, May 22, 2026. It is the first theatrical Star Wars feature since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, and the first to spin out of a streaming series rather than the other way around.

If you've been on the fence about whether Mando's small-screen story can carry a two-hour cinema runtime, this guide covers what to know before opening night: the trailer, the plot, the cast, the runtime, and when (probably) it lands on Disney+.

When and where to watch

Theatrical-only, no day-and-date streaming. Tickets went on sale in late April through Fandango, Atom, Cinemark, Cinepolis, Harkins, B&B, and Marcus. IMAX, Dolby, and standard formats are all in the mix. Pre-release tracking has it as the biggest opening of May, well ahead of The Devil Wears Prada 2 on the same weekend.

Runtime is two hours and twelve minutes. The MPA rating is PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action, closer in tone to Rogue One than to the kid-friendlier early episodes of the show.

Watch the trailer

Disney has put out a teaser, an official trailer, and a final trailer. The final cut, released ahead of CinemaCon, leans into spectacle: Mandalorian fleet shots, a returning Imperial Remnant set piece, and Grogu doing something Force-related that will sell a lot of plush toys.

Watch the final Mandalorian and Grogu trailer on YouTube

Ludwig Goransson is back on score duty. The trailer's percussion-heavy needle drop is built around the recognizable Mandalorian theme, stretched into something more orchestral.

The plot

The film picks up after the fall of the Galactic Empire. Imperial warlords are scattered, the New Republic is fragile, and Mandalore is rebuilding. Din and Grogu, technically still independent bounty hunters, get hired by the New Republic for a rescue job: Rotta the Hutt, of all characters, played by Jeremy Allen White. In exchange, they get intel on a target tied to the Imperial Remnant.

That's the official premise. The trailer also points to a substantial role for Sigourney Weaver as a New Republic officer, and what looks like a third-act fight sequence on a Mandalorian-claimed world. Beyond that, Lucasfilm is keeping things tight.

Cast and creative team

• Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, the Mandalorian
• Grogu as himself, in puppet and CG
• Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt (yes, the same Jeremy Allen White)
• Sigourney Weaver in a New Republic officer role
• Jon Favreau directs, his first Star Wars feature after years running the series
• Dave Filoni co-writes and executive produces
• Ludwig Goransson composes
• Kathleen Kennedy produces

Why this one matters

Three reasons this release carries more weight than a typical franchise tentpole:

1. It's the first theatrical Star Wars in nearly seven years. Lucasfilm's last cinema release was The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019. Everything since has been on Disney+.
2. It reverses the streaming-first model. Marvel's recent run has gone the other way, theatrical to Disney+ shows. Star Wars is testing whether streaming popularity can sell theater tickets.
3. It's the studio's softest possible relaunch. Mando and Grogu have measurable affection from a wide audience. If this opening weekend underperforms, it tells Lucasfilm a lot about the brand's future on the big screen.

When will it stream on Disney+?

No official date. Recent Disney theatrical releases have followed roughly a 90-to-120-day window before Disney+ debut. Working from that pattern, expect Mandalorian and Grogu to land on the service somewhere between late August and late September 2026, with mid-September the most likely window if Disney follows its 2024-25 cadence. Lucasfilm has not confirmed any of this. Wait for the official announcement before planning a watch party.

How to watch the existing Mandalorian series first

You don't strictly need to. Favreau and Filoni have said the film is built to work as an entry point. But if you want the context, all three seasons of The Mandalorian, plus The Book of Boba Fett (which closed an important Mando arc), are streaming on Disney+.

If you're juggling Disney+ with other streaming subs and your own playlists, BigPlay is a player built for the IPTV side of that setup: drop in your M3U lists for live TV, channels, and catch-up, keep streaming app subs for the on-demand stuff. Our IPTV players guide compares the leading options if you're still picking one.

FAQ

Is The Mandalorian and Grogu coming to Disney+?

Eventually, yes. No official date yet. The most likely window is late August to late September 2026, based on Disney's recent theatrical-to-streaming patterns.

Do I need to have watched The Mandalorian to follow the movie?

No. The film is designed as a standalone entry point. Watching the series adds emotional weight, especially around Mando and Grogu's reunion in season three, but it isn't required.

Is it appropriate for kids?

It's rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence. Roughly Rogue One territory, more than the lighter early episodes of the show. Use judgment for younger viewers.

Why is Jeremy Allen White playing Rotta the Hutt?

Voice and motion-capture casting. Hutts are CG, so the role is essentially a vocal performance with on-set motion reference. White brings name recognition and noticeable range to a character who is, traditionally, mostly a slimy cameo.

Will this set up more Star Wars films?

Lucasfilm has Starfighter (Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling) confirmed for May 2027 and a Rey-led film in development. Mandalorian and Grogu's box office will affect how aggressively those move.

Bottom line

If the opening weekend lands close to projections, expect Disney to announce a follow-up sequel or a second Mando-led film inside a year. If it stalls, the streaming-to-cinema experiment goes back in the box. Either way, this is the most-watched data point in Star Wars right now. Showtimes go live Friday, May 22.

Show data and imagery courtesy of The Movie Database (TMDB). This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.