Disney's 2026 Star Wars film 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' set for May release

Disney will release a new Star Wars movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu," on May 14 2026 at the TCL Chinese Theatre and in the United States on May 22 2026. The film follows bounty‑hunter Din Djarin and his foundling Grogu as they work for the New Republic to track down neo‑imperialist warlords, becoming entangled with the Hutt Twins, a gladiatorial son of Jabba, and a deadly arena on the moon Shakari. The plot features betrayals, arena battles, and a confrontation with the Twins on Nal Hutta that leaves Djarin mortally wounded before he recovers and continues the hunt.

Critics note that the movie exemplifies Disney’s strategy of turning a streaming success—The Mandalorian series—into a theatrical release, using the popular character Grogu as a brand‑driving asset rather than focusing on cinematic storytelling. The move highlights the company's broader push to monetize its franchise IP across platforms, blurring the line between TV serials and franchise cinema.