The Mandalorian and Grogu has become the Star Wars film with the lowest opening weekend in the franchise's history, despite topping the box office charts. According to Variety, the film earned $82 million (£65 million) in the US, just below the $84 million (£66 million) achieved by 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Over the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, The Mandalorian and Grogu is projected to make $102 million (£81 million), again falling short of Solo's $103 million (£81 million) during the same period. Solo, which cost around $300 million (£237 million) to produce, became the first Star Wars film to lose money theatrically.
By contrast, The Mandalorian and Grogu had a budget of $165 million (£130 million), making it the cheapest Star Wars film ever. This lower cost means it is likely to break even and may turn a profit. Internationally, the film grossed $64 million (£51 million), bringing its three-day total to $145 million (£115 million), with a four-day projection of $165 million (£130 million).
The film is a spin-off of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, directed by Jon Favreau. It follows Pedro Pascal's bounty hunter and Grogu (Baby Yoda) as they rescue Rotta the Hutt, voiced by Jeremy Allen White. The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey gave the film a two-star review, describing it as “three episodes of the previously planned fourth season” stitched together.
Elsewhere at the box office, horror film Obsession achieved a rare feat by earning around 30% more in its second weekend ($22 million) than its opening ($17.2 million).
