In a time where Star Wars seems almost oversaturated with direct to streaming series over the past seven years, its hard to imagine that much time has passed since the franchise has graced the silver screen. Thankfully, with The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars has returned to the big screen just in time for summer and there truly is no bigger or better platform for it to shine. Over the years, some will argue that the franchise has taken a more quantity over quality route, but I’ve personally never seen a drop in quality. A spike in quantity, absolutely, but with this being the only theatrical release for the franchise in 2026, it reflects a shift towards less quantity and more quality. Picking up after the events of season three of the hit Disney+ series, The Mandalorian and Grogu follows the duo as they continue to eliminate the remaining remnants of the Empire. The film taking this approach to the story makes it more accessible for new fans, but it helps and enhances the experience if you are up to date on the show before watching this. Having seen the film in IMAX format, its safe to say the bigger format you see the movie in, the better.

This movie is just so fun. I’ve heard people say the movie is formulaic, and sure, it keeps similar story beats to most other action/ adventure films, but to me, it shows off new planets and characters, and takes some of those characters in bold new directions and thats what makes the movie feel so fresh and unlike previous films. For longtime fans there is plenty to love here. Zeb Orrelios makes his live action return, with a much larger role here than just the glorified cameo from season three. The small and adorable Anzelians make their return and have a very fun and cute role to play in the film as well. One of the most interesting new additions to the cast is Jeremy Allen White who voices Rotta The Hutt, a character I think will become a future fan favorite. The action scenes and set pieces are also spread out perfectly throughout the films 132 minute runtime, allowing the film to never feel its length. Ludwig Göransson once again returns to compose the score for the film and if we can’t have John Williams, he is an absolutely perfect composer and more than up to the task of delivering one of 2026’s best film scores.

The Mandalorian and Grogu truly has something for everyone. Longtime fans will love it, and those that are unfamiliar with a galaxy far, far away will find something to love and come back to. Whether that be Grogu, who is of course not only a central part of the movie, but being absolutely adorable, or the themes of breaking the cycle of what came before, this film has it all. Another thing this film does that I found very interesting as a fan was, seeing planets that haven’t been seen in live action, mostly the home planet of the Hutts, Nal Hutta. If I had to pick a complaint about the film it would be that one of the bounty hunter characters that appears in the films third act doesn’t hold up terribly well with the CGI used earlier in the films, but that is the only negative I would lodge against the film. I sincerely hope this movie performs well and fans warm up to it. As a longtime Star Wars fan I had an absolute blast with this film and would love to see it get the appreciation and love it deserves. If we have to start waiting seven years for a theatrical Star Wars release I will do it if it means getting a film with similar quality to The Mandalorian and Grogu.

10/10.