Star Wars returns to theaters on Friday as The Mandalorian and Grogu sees the Clan of Two take their adventures to the big screen after three seasons on Disney+.

But it’s been three years since we last saw Mando and his foundling, so where did the story leave our heroes? Let’s take a look back before we move forward.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Trailer

In the final trailer, it’s clear that the legend of Mando and Grogu is growing, but he says he will only hunt Imperial warlords. But whatever job Colonel Ward wants Mando to take on, she assures him it’s not about revenge but rather preventing another war and protecting everything the Rebellion fought for. After shots of X-wings, Zeb Orrelios and Anzellans, we see The Mandalorian and Grogu in action. But Ward asks an existential question for the father/son duo: What happens to Grogu when Mando is no longer around to protect him? As Mando says, the old protect the young so that the young can then protect the old. This is the way.

The Mandalorian recap

(Warning: Spoilers ahead.)

• The third season of The Mandalorian on Disney+ saw Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu spending a lot of time with the Children of the Watch, a sect of Mandalorians who refuse to remove their helmets. Through the course of the season, Mando and Grogu worked with the Children of the Watch as well as Bo-Katan Kryze as they attempted to retake the ruined world of Mandalore.
• We learned how Grogu survived the Jedi purge, being rescued by Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (played by Ahmed Best) and sympathetic members of the Naboo Armed Forces.
• Importantly for what looks to be the plot of The Mandalorian and Grogu, Moff Gideon meets and conspires with members of the Shadow Council, a group of Imperial warlords who are biding their time to return and reclaim power in the galaxy. We learn that Gideon plans to complete the purge of Mandalore and has made Force-sensitive clones of himself, which are destroyed by The Mandalorian. Ultimately, Axe Woves crashes a ship into the Imperial base on Mandalore, killing Gideon while Grogu uses the Force to protect himself, Mando and Bo-Katan. That is another sign of Grogu’s growing mastery of the Force following his brief stint training with Luke Skywalker.
• After helping Bo-Katan reclaim Mandalore and restart the Great Forge, Mando formally adopts Grogu and the pair return to Nevarro and the plot of land gifted to them by their old friend Greef Karga as thanks for helping defeat the forces of Gorian Shard. Karga also gave Mando and Grogu IG-12, a rebuilt IG-11 droid which now serves as a mech suit for Grogu. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to live a quiet life, as Mando begins taking contract work from Carson Teva of the New Republic, which could be how Mando comes to work for Sigourney Weaver’s Colonel Ward in The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The Mandalorian and Grogu FAQ

When does The Mandalorian and Grogu hit theaters?

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026.

Who directed The Mandalorian and Grogu?

The Mandalorian and Grogu was directed by Jon Favreau.

Who wrote The Mandalorian and Grogu?

The Mandalorian and Grogu was co-written by Favreau and Dave Filoni, who has since been elevated to the role of president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm.

Who plays The Mandalorian?

The Mandalorian is played by Pedro Pascal, with Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder serving as on-set doubles.

Who plays Colonel Ward?

Colonel Ward is played by Sigourney Weaver, who is making her Star Wars debut.

Who plays Rotta the Hutt?

Rotta the Hutt is played by Jeremy Allen White. The character is the son of the late Jabba the Hutt and previously appeared as an infant in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated film in 2008.

How many seasons of The Mandalorian are available to stream on Disney+?

The Mandalorian has been available to stream on Disney+ since the service launched in 2019. There are three seasons, comprising 24 episodes, available to stream. The Mandalorian and Grogu also appeared in The Book of Boba Fett.

Do I need to watch The Mandalorian before seeing the movie?

If you haven’t seen The Mandalorian you’d likely be lost trying to follow the plot of the film. There are some elements, such as the New Republic and Imperial remnant, which should be familiar to all Star Wars fans, but I HIGHLY recommend you watch The Mandalorian before heading to your local theater.

When in the Star Wars timeline is The Mandalorian and Grogu set?

The Mandalorian and Grogu is set in the era of the New Republic, following the fall of the Empire in Return of the Jedi.