Disney has put the mandalorian and Grogu back in view with a new sneak peek now streaming on Disney+, two weeks before the film opens in theaters on May 22. The promo arrives with the special look already at number 2 on global streaming charts.
May 22 and seven years
The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled to open in theaters around the world on May 22, making it the first Star Wars movie to reach cinemas in seven years. The last one was The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, which ended the Skywalker saga and left the franchise without a theatrical release until now.
That gap is what gives this preview extra weight. Disney is not just advertising a movie; it is rebuilding the theatrical presence of a franchise that has spent seven years away from the big screen.
Disney+ and global charts
The special look is already sitting at number 2 on global streaming charts, a strong showing for a promo that exists to push a theater release rather than a series debut. For Disney, that kind of placement gives the campaign immediate reach and keeps the film visible while the calendar counts down to May 22.
Star Wars fans have already had one reason to pay attention this year: Maul – Shadow Lord, the franchise’s first Disney+ project of 2026, aired its final two episodes of Season 1 earlier this week and was picked up for a second season. The Mandalorian and Grogu now becomes the next franchise test, and this release strategy suggests Disney wants the movie to land with momentum already built online.
Hayden Christensen and Ahsoka
Hayden Christensen’s continued return as Anakin Skywalker is part of the demand around Ahsoka, which is expected to arrive later this year, even as that timing has not been officially confirmed. Sam Witwer’s Maul – Shadow Lord has also helped keep the franchise active on Disney+ in 2026, giving Disney two touchpoints before the film’s theatrical launch.
For viewers, the practical move is simple: the new sneak peek is already on Disney+, and the movie follows on May 22. The larger story is that Disney is using the streamer to prime a theatrical return, and the early global ranking shows the campaign is already getting attention before tickets come into play.
