The Mandalorian & Grogu Franchise Ranking

By Reggie's Take on May 25, 2026 • ( 0 )

After seeing The Mandalorian and Grogu in theaters, I decided it was time to revisit my rankings of every live-action film set in a galaxy far, far away.

After seven years, Star Wars finally returned to theaters, not with a bang but a quiet whimper and the response has been mixed. Some critics have pointed to the film’s lack of emotional stakes, character evolution, sluggish pacing in the second half and failing to expand on Star Wars lore.

I’ll admit the film is unlikely to leave audiences calling The Mandalorian and Grogu the best Star Wars movie ever made. What it does deliver, is a simple but solid Star Wars movie that has plenty of action, subtle humor, an amazing score and when you combine it all it has you leaving the theater with a smile on your face.

If you’re hesitant to see The Mandalorian and Grogu because you haven’t watched the Disney Plus series or because mixed reviews gave you pause, don’t let that stop you. I still recommend seeing it in theaters, Star Wars is at its best on the big screen, and the story is self-contained so that newcomers can follow it without any trouble.

Where It Ranks
So where does this newest entry land within the broader Star Wars franchise? While The Mandalorian and Grogu is an enjoyable and straightforward film, it still falls in the lower half of my updated rankings.

Why It Lands at No. 9
Among the twelve live-action Star Wars films, The Mandalorian and Grogu ranks ninth, ahead of Attack of the Clones, The Phantom Menace, and The Rise of Skywalker.

Its plot is simple and easy to follow.
It succeeds as a straightforward, entertaining Star Wars adventure.
At the same time, it plays it safe and does not take many risks.

How Lucasfilm Should Move Forward
Now that The Mandalorian and Grogu has made the jump to theaters, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau need a clear plan for how to bring the story to a satisfying close. The Mandalorian should stay on the big screen rather than return to Disney Plus. Favreau needs to decide whether the narrative can end effectively in one or two films. Any follow-up must raise the emotional stakes and deepen the character arcs for both Din Djarin and Grogu. If Favreau can deliver that stronger ending, the move from streaming to theaters will feel fully justified.

Final Thoughts
Will there come a day when a new Star Wars movie dethrones The Empire Strikes Back as the franchise’s greatest film? I’d like to think so, and I only hope I’m there to see it on the big screen when it happens. As for The Mandalorian and Grogu, it may not belong in the franchise’s upper echelon, but it is a solid, entertaining addition to Star Wars, and that alone makes it worth celebrating.