77 Reviews Submitted for Disney’s Latest Star Wars Film
The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently sitting at 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as the second worst-rated movie in the Star Wars franchise from the Disney era. This isn’t a great sign, especially since not all reviews are in yet—when I started writing, the audience rating was around 64%.
It’s interesting—well, actually quite sad—how the only Disney era Star Wars films that get bad reviews are really those that didn’t resonate. Take Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which is infamous for including a gay kiss. This finale of the Skywalker saga came out seven years ago and ended up with a dismal audience rating of 51%. Since then, who could forget how it’s been more of a struggle for the franchise to deliver a good feature film?
Solo: A Star Wars Story scored slightly better at 69%, but still flopped hard at the box office. Predictions suggest The Mandalorian and Grogu might follow a similar path if box office trends hold.
Now, I know some might argue that 61% can still be considered “fresh.” Maybe that’s true? But when you’re dropping a summer blockbuster—especially one that you hope will revive spirits for fans—you really want the number to scream a solid “fresh” like the 90’s did. You want critics to exclaim, “Star Wars is back, this is the best since Empire! Can’t wait to watch it again!” But… that just isn’t happening.
Instead, we’re met with a mixed bag.
Even the so-called “fresh” reviews don’t seem all that enthusiastic. Here are a few exemplars. Keep in mind these are categorized as “positive”:
The Mandalorian and Grogu has one of the most simplistic scripts in the Star Wars catalog. No themes, no character development—just a constant loop of one character directing Mando and Grogu to different locations to fetch things. Other than a few visual nods, it hardly connects with the original series. [emphasis original]
It feels more like a full CGI experience—there’s no real plot, just Mando and Grogu going from point A to B.
While there’s charm and fun adventure, a lingering frustration prevents this from being anything beyond just decent. Still, it’s nice to spend time in this universe.
With The Mandalorian moving to theaters, Disney is offering a mix of likability and distraction that feels semi-forgettable.
Jon Favreau’s work often feels like a compilation of three TV episodes—light, entertaining, but lacking substance.
If those reviews are “good,” I can’t imagine what the negative ones must say.
Remember, there’s quite a bit of pressure to deliver a favorable review for the all-mighty Disney. The perks of Disney getting good press can include promotional advantages, merchandise access, and screening opportunities.
To clarify, I don’t predict this film will bomb outright. That’s not my forte. But honestly? I’d kind of hope it does poorly—Disney has certainly earned some backlash.
