The Mandalorian & Grogu, released this week, is projected to have the lowest opening weekend of any Star Wars film. Pre-release tracking suggests it will earn just $80m domestically, a significant drop from previous entries. The film is a continuation of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, following Din Djarin and Grogu as they rescue Jabba the Hutt's son Rotta.
Interest in the Star Wars franchise has waned since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, which made $1.077bn worldwide—half of The Force Awakens' haul. Solo: A Star Wars Story bombed in 2018 with $393m. TV shows have also struggled: Skeleton Crew recorded the lowest opening ratings for a Star Wars series, and The Acolyte was cancelled after one season.
Dr Rebecca Harrison, author of a BFI book on The Empire Strikes Back, says the film's niche appeal may limit its audience. 'It's a continuation of a story rather than a standalone movie,' she told the BBC. 'If you're not familiar with the TV shows, you've got such low investment in going to see it.' The interconnected storylines across multiple series—including The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and animated shows—have made keeping up feel like 'homework,' she adds.
Critics point to Andor as a successful standalone Star Wars show that grew its viewership. Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent notes it could be enjoyed without prior knowledge. Andor was praised for its critique of authoritarianism and character depth, avoiding reliance on fan service.
