Finally, the long-awaited cinematic adventure of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” landed in theaters around the world, and the first numbers of its box office performance are already known. The film, which marks the jump from the successful universe of the Disney series to the big screen, got off to a solid start.

According to data published by Variety, the film grossed $82 million during its first weekend in the United States. If collections until Monday, May 25 (a key date due to the Memorial Day holiday in the US) are included, the figure could rise to $102 million. Globally, The Wrap estimates that the film will reach $165 million.

A bittersweet debut for the franchise

Although these figures represent a promising start for any production in 2026, the context within the “Star Wars” universe is less optimistic. This is the lowest opening gross for a film in the saga since Disney acquired the franchise in 2012.

To put it in perspective, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018), so far the lowest-performing live-action title, grossed $84 million in its opening weekend and $103 million through the holiday Monday, not adjusted for inflation. In contrast, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) earned more than $1 billion worldwide.

Despite the box office numbers, the film has not been without its challenges. Its production budget was reportedly around $165 million. Critically, it currently holds a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences give it a much warmer 89% rating.

The official synopsis places the plot at a crucial moment: "The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered across the galaxy. As the young New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu."

Directed by Jon Favreau, the film sees the return of Pedro Pascal to his iconic role from the series. And, of course, Grogu, the endearing character whom many still affectionately call “Baby Yoda”, even though that is not his real name, once again steals the show. Grogu has established himself as one of the most popular and recognizable faces in modern pop culture.

Where does it fit into the Star Wars timeline?

With “The Mandalorian and Grogu” leading the box office this weekend, many fans are wondering where in the official “Star Wars” chronology the story takes place. The film takes place after the fall of the Empire, before the resurgence of the First Order, and the complete timeline is now available to consult in the official guides to the saga.