The Mandalorian and Grogu has recorded the lowest opening weekend for a Star Wars film since Disney acquired the franchise in 2012, despite topping the box office. The film, starring Pedro Pascal as the helmeted bounty hunter and his companion 'Baby Yoda', earned $102 million domestically over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, contributing to a global total of $165 million.
This performance falls short of the opening weekend of Solo: A Star Wars Story, previously Disney's lowest-grossing Star Wars film. Solo took $103 million domestically in 2018, equivalent to $136.6 million adjusted for inflation, and $171 million globally ($226.8 million adjusted). Solo ultimately grossed $392.9 million worldwide but was considered a flop due to its $275 million budget.
The Mandalorian and Grogu, with a more modest $165 million budget, may still turn a profit. However, industry analyst David Gross noted that its box office is 'not on the level of the primary Star Wars films', adding that spin-offs typically earn a smaller share of the business. The film is the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, following a pause on new movies by Disney to avoid oversaturation.
Disney reportedly expects the film to have strong legs at the box office due to positive audience scores, despite a muted critical response. The studio also hopes the film will boost interest in merchandise, theme parks, and Disney+, where The Mandalorian is the most-watched original series and over 13 million Grogu toys have been sold since 2019.
The Star Wars franchise, which began in 1977, has generated over $10 billion in global ticket sales. Disney's focus on streaming series like The Mandalorian and Andor has yielded acclaim, but other shows such as The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi have underperformed. The next Star Wars film, Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled for May 2027.
