‘The Mandalorian And Grogu’ Is On Track To Even Underperform ‘Solo’

The Mandalorian and Grogu, Disney’s latest Star Wars theatrical release, is tracking to underperform even Solo: A Star Wars Story at the box office, according to Forbes. The film is being decimated by two low-budget horror movies in its second weekend, with next weekend projections also grim.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the big-screen continuation of the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian, bringing Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and the beloved Grogu (Baby Yoda) to theaters. Expectations were high given the show’s massive popularity and Disney’s track record with Star Wars films. However, early box office tracking suggests the film will fall short of Solo’s already disappointing $84 million opening weekend and $393 million global total.

Forbes reports that the movie is currently being outperformed by two low-budget horror films in its second weekend—a sign of weak word-of-mouth and limited mainstream appeal. The exact identity of the horror films isn’t specified, but the situation mirrors Solo’s struggles: poor marketing, franchise fatigue, and competition from other genres. Disney has not released official projections, but industry analysts point to a steep drop-off from the initial weekend.

This underperformance is particularly striking because The Mandalorian and Grogu had seemingly everything going for it: a loyal TV fanbase, nostalgic appeal, and a relatively modest budget compared to other Star Wars films. Yet, much like Solo, it appears to be suffering from a lack of urgency among general audiences. The Star Wars brand has seen diminishing box office returns since The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and streaming growth under Disney+ has arguably diluted theatrical demand.

The implications for Lucasfilm and Disney are significant. The Mandalorian and Grogu was seen as a test for future TV-to-film transitions in the franchise. If it fails to match even Solo’s numbers, executives may rethink their strategy of mining Disney+ series for theatrical spinoffs. Meanwhile, rival studios like Warner Bros. and Universal continue to dominate with original horror and superhero fare.

Looking ahead, the film’s fate will largely depend on international markets and whether Disney can course-correct with additional marketing pushes. A final box office total below $300 million would mark a historic low for a live-action Star Wars film. For now, fans and investors are watching closely—the galaxy far, far away may need to find a new path to profitability.