The Mandalorian and Grogu box office numbers are in, and the long-awaited Star Wars spinoff officially blasted its way to a strong opening over the Memorial Day weekend. Disney’s latest cinematic adventure into the galaxy far, far away pulled in a powerful $100 million at the domestic box office and $163 million globally during the four-day holiday frame. While the debut was undeniably impressive, it also raises important questions about the future of Star Wars on the big screen.

For Lucasfilm, this release is a major test of whether the iconic franchise can still command theatrical loyalty in an era dominated by streaming platforms.

A Long-Awaited Return to the Big Screen

The Mandalorian and Grogu marks Lucasfilm’s first Star Wars theatrical release in seven years, since 2019’s blockbuster The Rise of Skywalker, which capped off the Skywalker saga with more than a billion dollars in global earnings. Since then, Star Wars fans have had to satisfy themselves with Disney+ original series like The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Andor, and Skeleton Crew.

Now, with the Mandalorian franchise making the jump from small screen to silver screen, expectations have been sky-high. The film, directed by Jon Favreau, brings back Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin alongside the lovable green sidekick Grogu, taking audiences deeper into a galaxy still recovering from the fall of the evil Empire.

Opening Numbers: Strong, But Slightly Below Estimates

The film’s opening performance came just slightly below earlier Sunday projections. Pre-weekend estimates had pegged the movie at around $102 million for the four-day weekend, including $81 million during the traditional Friday-to-Sunday stretch.

Internationally, the picture was a bit softer than expected. The Mandalorian and Grogu pulled in $63 million from overseas markets, bringing its total global debut to $163 million for the four-day holiday window.

Quick Box Office Breakdown

• $100 million domestic over the four-day Memorial Day weekend
• $81 million domestic during the traditional three-day weekend
• $63 million from international markets
• $163 million in total global earnings

These numbers, while strong, are stirring up plenty of conversation about how the film stacks up against past Star Wars releases and whether Lucasfilm’s theatrical strategy still has the same magnetic pull.

Comparisons to Solo: A Star Wars Story

Many industry analysts are drawing comparisons between The Mandalorian and Grogu and Lucasfilm’s last Star Wars spinoff attempt, Solo: A Star Wars Story, released in 2018. That film opened to $103 million during the four-day Memorial Day weekend with $84 million in the traditional three-day frame, plus $168 million globally — almost identical numbers to the new release.

However, Solo’s story ended in box office disappointment. It finished its run with just $392 million globally and became the first Star Wars film to ever lose money theatrically. A massive part of that disaster was the film’s $300 million production budget.

The good news for Disney is that The Mandalorian and Grogu was significantly cheaper to produce, with a reported budget of around $165 million. Combined with better critical reception and stronger early word-of-mouth, the new film has a much greater chance of turning a healthy profit — provided its second weekend holds up well.

Will Star Wars Still Work Theatrically?

The bigger question hanging over the film’s release is whether Star Wars remains a true cinematic property in 2026. After years of streaming-first content, audiences have grown accustomed to engaging with the franchise from home. The Mandalorian and Grogu’s success at the box office will depend largely on:

• Strong word-of-mouth from both fans and casual viewers
• Family appeal beyond the existing Mandalorian fanbase
• A steady second-weekend performance
• Sustained international interest in the coming weeks

Industry experts agree that the next two weekends will be critical in determining whether the film can break out into a true mainstream hit or remain a fan-favorite niche success.

The Surprise of the Weekend: Obsession Keeps Climbing

While The Mandalorian and Grogu dominated headlines, the real shock of the weekend came from Focus Features’ breakout horror hit Obsession. Far from fading after its strong debut, Obsession actually grew in its second weekend, an extremely rare feat in the horror genre.

Obsession by the Numbers

• $23.9 million over the traditional three-day weekend
• $30.3 million across the four-day holiday window
• A 39% increase from its opening weekend
• $60.7 million total earnings in North America
• $75 million worldwide so far

Even more impressive, Obsession was produced for less than $1 million, making it one of the most profitable releases of the year. Directed by YouTube breakout filmmaker Curry Barker, the film follows a hopeless romantic who strikes a dark Faustian bargain to win the heart of his crush.

The film’s combination of clever storytelling, strong word-of-mouth, and savvy marketing has helped it outperform expectations in a genre that typically sees sharp drop-offs after opening weekend.

Passenger and I Love Boosters Open Outside the Top Five

While The Mandalorian and Grogu and Obsession dominated the top of the chart, two new releases struggled to break into the top five.

Passenger: Paramount’s R-Rated Thriller

Paramount’s horror-thriller Passenger debuted at the No. 6 spot, earning:

• $10.5 million domestically over the four-day frame
• $8.7 million during the traditional three-day weekend
• $4.8 million from international markets
• $13.5 million worldwide total

The film, which centers on a young couple stalked by a demonic entity, received mixed reviews. It currently holds a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned a “B-” CinemaScore from audiences. Despite the lukewarm reception, the film’s modest $15 million budget gives it a fighting chance to break even.

I Love Boosters: A Crime Comedy With Star Power

Neon’s crime comedy I Love Boosters, directed by Boots Riley (of Sorry to Bother You fame), opened in eighth place with a quieter debut.

• $4.7 million over the four-day frame
• $3.8 million during the traditional three-day weekend
• 92% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics
• A “B” CinemaScore grade from audiences

The film features standout performances from Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, and Demi Moore, who plays a ruthless fashion mogul targeted by a group of professional shoplifters. With a $20 million budget, the film’s strong critical reception may help it find a second life in streaming and awards conversations.

What This Memorial Day Weekend Tells Us About Hollywood in 2026

This Memorial Day weekend offered a fascinating snapshot of the current state of the film industry. Some of the key takeaways include:

• Star Wars still draws crowds, but with conditions. A $163 million global debut is strong, but the franchise must prove it can sustain interest over multiple weekends.
• Low-budget horror remains incredibly powerful. Obsession is a prime example of how a sub-$1 million film can outperform massive studio releases.
• Theatrical originality still resonates. Films like I Love Boosters show critical love for unique storytelling, even when box office numbers are modest.
• Mid-budget thrillers continue to compete. Passenger may not have wowed critics, but with a smart marketing push, it can still turn a profit.

Looking Ahead: The Critical Second Weekend

For The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next few weekends will be vital. Holding strong against incoming summer blockbusters will determine whether the Star Wars franchise can confidently return to a regular theatrical release schedule.

Family audiences will be especially important. While longtime fans of The Mandalorian series helped drive the film’s opening, broader appeal will be needed for a true breakout success. The good news is that early reactions from both critics and audiences have been notably positive, particularly compared to past Star Wars spinoffs.

A Pivotal Moment for the Franchise

Disney and Lucasfilm now find themselves at a turning point. The success or struggle of The Mandalorian and Grogu could shape the future of Star Wars on the big screen for years to come. If audiences continue showing up beyond opening weekend, expect to see more theatrical Star Wars projects greenlit quickly. If not, Disney+ may once again become the primary destination for galactic adventures.

For now, the franchise has earned a solid, if not spectacular, return to cinemas. The lightsabers are back on screen, and the box office is watching closely.

Final Thoughts

The Mandalorian and Grogu box office debut is undoubtedly a major moment for Star Wars fans and Hollywood alike. With $163 million in global earnings, strong word-of-mouth, and a far healthier budget compared to past spinoffs, the film has set the stage for a potentially successful theatrical run.

At the same time, the breakout performance of Obsession and the strong critical love for I Love Boosters serve as reminders that the film industry continues to thrive on creativity, surprise, and emotional connection — not just on big-budget spectacles.

This Memorial Day weekend was more than just a holiday box office report. It was a snapshot of where Hollywood stands today, and a fascinating preview of where it might be heading in the months to come.