The Mandalorian and Grogu posts lowest Disney‑era Star Wars opening with $165 M global debut

The Mandalorian and Grogu opened to $102 million in the United States and Canada over the four‑day Memorial Day weekend, bringing its worldwide total to about $165 million. This is the smallest domestic opening for any Disney‑era Star Wars film, falling slightly below the $103 million debut of Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018. The movie’s production budget was reported at $165 million, far less than Solo’s roughly $300 million budget, giving the film a better chance to break even.

Audience reception was positive: an A‑grade CinemaScore, an 88 percent audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a strong showing among families, with 68 percent of ticket buyers identified as Disney+ subscribers. Critics were mixed, with a 63 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. Industry analysts note the modest opening may reflect growing Star Wars fatigue, but the lower cost and solid word‑of‑mouth could sustain earnings in subsequent weeks.

The box‑office performance will inform Disney’s strategy for future releases, including the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter slated for May 2027, which aims to gauge whether the franchise can generate blockbuster momentum without relying heavily on the Mandalorian‑Grogu pairing.