Disney Saves the Next Star Wars Movie for 2026 May Release

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Disney has recently secured the success for their upcoming Star Wars film. Interestingly, it’s been over two years since a Star Wars movie hit theaters with the last one being 2019’s “Rise of Skywalker”. Now, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is scheduled for release in about a year’s time, and Disney has just given it a significant boost.

After the completion of the first three seasons of “The Mandalorian” on Disney+, Lucasfilm plans to premiere “The Mandalorian and Grogu” in 2026. This theatrical release will feature Pedro Pascal reprising his role as Din Djarin alongside his adopted son Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is a highly anticipated film for several reasons, although it’s worth noting that Disney took a significant risk with its release schedule if not for the delay of Avengers: Doomsday.

Disney Was Taking A Big Risk Putting The Avengers & Star Wars Up Against Each Other

Two High-Profile Movies That Would Have Both Released In May

It was announced yesterday that the release date for “Avengers: Doomsday” has been changed from May 1st, 2026, to December 18th, 2026. Moreover, the launch of “Avengers: Secret Wars,” originally scheduled for 2027, will also take place in December instead of its initial May date. This shift gives Marvel Studios extra time to concentrate on both movies’ quality during pre- and post-production, which should result in a better final product. On a positive note, this delay could indirectly benefit the Star Wars franchise as well.

Previously, it was planned for Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian with Grogu to debut in the following May. However, this strategy seemed quite daring for several reasons. For one, Star Wars hasn’t graced the big screen since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. Furthermore, releasing two high-impact films from two of Disney’s most prominent franchises at the same time seemed questionable because a massive Marvel crossover could overshadow The Mandalorian and Grogu, potentially damaging its box office performance and overall success. This situation isn’t unprecedented, as similar scenarios have occurred in the past.

Star Wars Movies Have Been Hit By Avengers Films Before

Solo and Avengers: Infinity War

It’s undeniable that Solo: A Star Wars Story struggled in 2018 due to a combination of factors. Issues like behind-the-scenes drama leading to reshoots, a new director, and lingering controversy from The Last Jedi released the previous year all played a role. In addition, a busy release schedule was detrimental, as Solo came out on May 10, following the release of Avengers: Infinity War only two weeks prior, and Deadpool 2 coming out the week after didn’t help either.

The success of “Infinity War” likely had a significant impact on the performance of “Solo”, given that the third “Avengers” movie was a massive force as the start of the Infinity Saga, and Disney prioritized its marketing. This scenario could potentially have been repeated with “Avengers: Doomsday” and “The Mandalorian and Grogu”.

It Looks Like May Is Now Star Wars Month

May The Fourth Be With You!

Furthermore, it appears that Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling’s “Star Wars: Starfighter” no longer clashes with “Avengers: Secret Wars”, which was initially scheduled for May 2027 but has been rescheduled to December. It seems that the traditional release windows for “Star Wars” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have essentially swapped positions, a decision that does make sense given that fan engagement with the “Star Wars” franchise typically peaks during May the Fourth celebrations. Consequently, it is logical for both franchises to have their respective films released in months that avoid direct competition with each other.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to release on May 22nd, 2026.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies Release Date
The Mandalorian & Grogu May 22, 2026
Star Wars: Starfighter May 28, 2027

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2025-05-24 02:08