The return of the Star Wars franchise to theatres after seven years is finally here, but the early response to The Mandalorian and Grogu has been far from unanimous. The film has debuted with a 58% score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the lower-rated Star Wars movies released during Disney’s ownership of the franchise.
Directed by Jon Favreau, the film brings back Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin alongside fan-favourite Grogu for a new adventure set after the fall of the Empire. The movie is scheduled to hit theatres on May 22, 2026.
How The Mandalorian And Grogu Compares To Other Star Wars Films
The current Rotten Tomatoes rating places the film below several recent Star Wars releases. Solo: A Star Wars Story holds a 69% score, while Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi both crossed the 90% mark during their theatrical runs.
However, The Mandalorian and Grogu still ranks slightly above Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which currently sits at 51%. The latest film’s score is also close to Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, which holds around 62%.
The mixed reception has surprised many fans, especially considering the strong popularity of The Mandalorian series on streaming platforms.
Critics Praise Visuals But Question Storytelling
Several critics praised the movie’s visual presentation, action sequences and the dynamic between Din Djarin and Grogu. However, many reviews pointed to concerns over the film’s storytelling depth and cinematic ambition.
According to Variety, the film felt like “semi-forgettable episodes jammed together” despite featuring large-scale action. Deadline questioned whether audiences would continue embracing stories built around familiar timelines and recurring characters.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the movie performs better than The Rise of Skywalker, it “doesn’t aim high enough.” Meanwhile, Empire described it as a “lively if inessential extended episode.”
GamesRadar appreciated the film’s entertaining adventure elements but criticised its relatively low stakes for a franchise as massive as Star Wars.
One of the strongest reactions came from io9, which described the movie as “a throwaway adventure” and argued that it resembled “a longer, better-looking, mid-tier episode of the show.”
Fans Defend The Film Despite Mixed Reviews
The early reviews quickly triggered debate online, with fans split over the Rotten Tomatoes score. Some viewers expressed disappointment that Disney’s first theatrical Star Wars release since 2019 had received such a muted critical reception.
Others defended the film, arguing that Rotten Tomatoes scores do not always reflect audience enjoyment. Several fans also pointed out that The Mandalorian was originally designed as a streaming experience and may naturally feel different when adapted into a theatrical format.
Despite the criticism, anticipation for the movie remains strong among longtime fans eager to see Din Djarin and Grogu return to the big screen.
With the film arriving in cinemas this week, attention now shifts to audience reactions and whether viewers embrace the franchise’s long-awaited theatrical comeback more warmly than critics have so far.