The Mandalorian and Grogu topped the box office but delivered Disney’s weakest Star Wars film opening
The Mandalorian and Grogu blasted to the top of the box office charts, but the latest Star Wars film has opened with the weakest debut of Disney’s ownership era.
The film, starring Pedro Pascal alongside the tiny alien companion widely known as Baby Yoda, earned 102 million dollars domestically during the four-day Memorial Day weekend in the United States and Canada. Global takings reached 165 million dollars.
Despite claiming first place, the numbers failed to surpass the launch performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story, previously regarded as Disney’s weakest big-screen performer in the franchise.
Released during the same holiday period in 2018, Solo generated 103 million dollars domestically in its opening frame. When adjusted for inflation, that figure rises to around 136.6 million dollars in 2026 terms. The film also outperformed The Mandalorian and Grogu globally, taking 171 million dollars on the opening weekend before inflation adjustments.
The comparison raises fresh questions about the enduring power of Star Wars at the cinema.
Although The Mandalorian and Grogu continue the story of one of Disney’s most successful streaming properties, its theatrical debut landed well below the level of Disney’s mainline Star Wars releases and even trails earlier spin-offs such as Rogue One.
Industry analyst David Gross argued that the film’s results reflect the reality of franchise spin-offs rather than outright failure.
He said the box office figures were not comparable with the primary Star Wars films but remained strong numbers for a project occupying a different place within the wider franchise ecosystem. According to Gross, the movie represents one part of a broader commercial strategy and is earning a corresponding share of the business.
Budget may ultimately shape how the story is judged.
Solo ended its theatrical run with 392.9 million dollars worldwide, but became known as the franchise’s first major flop because of its enormous 275 million dollar production cost.
By contrast, The Mandalorian and Grogu reportedly carry a far lower budget of 165 million dollars. That smaller financial burden means the film could still emerge as a commercial success despite its softer opening.
The performance may also point toward continuing audience fatigue surrounding Star Wars films.
The Mandalorian and Grogu mark the first theatrical Star Wars release since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. After that film, Disney slowed its cinema strategy amid concerns that the franchise had flooded the market with releases arriving too quickly.
Executives now appear hopeful that audience enthusiasm will build over the coming weeks.
Trade publications reported that Disney expects the film to benefit from strong audience reactions even as critics offered a more restrained response. The company is also believed to be viewing the film as a gateway into its wider business empire.
That broader ecosystem matters enormously.
The Mandalorian remains Disney+’s most-watched original series, while Grogu has become a merchandising powerhouse since the show’s debut in 2019. More than 13 million Grogu toys have reportedly been sold, underlining the character’s commercial value beyond cinema ticket sales.
Since Disney bought Star Wars creator George Lucas’s franchise in 2012, the company has increasingly expanded the universe through streaming television.
Series such as The Mandalorian and Andor earned acclaim and large audiences, while other projects, including The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Acolyte, struggled to make a comparable impact.
Attention now turns to the franchise’s next cinematic chapter.
Star Wars Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to reach cinemas in May 2027.