The Mandalorian and Grogu Officially Splits Star Wars Fans and Critics

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The latest Star Wars film has sparked a lot of debate among fans and critics. Early reviews were all over the place, with some calling it an enjoyable ride and others dismissing it as unnecessary and easily forgotten.

Fans seem to be reacting more positively to The Mandalorian and Grogu than critics. While the film has a 63% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes – considered ‘fresh’ but not ‘certified fresh’ – audiences give it a much higher score of 88%, indicating a generally favorable response.

Star Wars Divides Fans and Critics Again

It’s not unusual for a Star Wars movie to spark disagreement between critics and fans, particularly since Disney acquired the franchise. For example, critics loved The Last Jedi, giving it a 91% “Certified Fresh” rating, but general audiences were less impressed, scoring it only 41%. The next film, The Rise of Skywalker, flipped that trend – critics gave it a lower score of 51%, while fans really enjoyed it, awarding it an 86% rating.

Most critics feel The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fairly simple adventure that doesn’t offer much beyond basic excitement. They’re debating whether it’s a fun movie despite its flaws, or a sign of deeper issues with the Star Wars series. However, fans generally seem to be enjoying it, with some describing it as essentially a longer version of The Mandalorian TV show.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Faces an Uphill Battle at the Box Office

Despite a lot of excitement, The Mandalorian and Grogu movie might not perform as well as Disney hoped. While it’s currently predicted to have the biggest opening weekend of any Disney film in 2026, that still isn’t a strong result – it would only match the performance of a previous film that underperformed. Early ticket sales for the movie were actually lower than those for Solo.

Following the defeat of the Empire in Return of the Jedi, but before the First Order emerged, The Mandalorian and Grogu takes place in a galaxy still finding its footing. The show’s story centers on Din Djarin, a famous Mandalorian bounty hunter, and his young protégé, Grogu. With the Empire gone and the new Republic struggling to maintain peace, Din Djarin is brought in to help protect the values the Rebellion fought so hard for.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is playing now in theaters.

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2026-05-22 19:41