No time for a ‘Mandalorian’ rewatch before getting your ‘Grogu’ on? We got you covered

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I still remember when I first saw that bounty hunter meet Grogu – that adorable, big-eyed little alien! It was on my TV, and honestly, it felt like everything about Star Wars shifted right then and there. It was a truly special moment, and it completely captivated me.

After captivating audiences for three and a half seasons, Din Djarin (the Mandalorian) and Grogu – affectionately known as Baby Yoda – are finally heading to the movies this Friday. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” will follow their new mission from the New Republic, which leads them into conflict with the Hutts, a notorious crime family from the Star Wars universe.

Review

‘Star Wars’ wends its way back to theaters via an unlikely duo in ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

Jon Favreau, the creator of the popular streaming series, successfully brings it to the big screen with a fun, though not essential, summer blockbuster packed with the creatures fans want to see.

The new movie is directed by Jon Favreau, who also created “The Mandalorian.” It picks up after the events of the show’s third season, which ended in 2023. In that season’s finale, the warrior Din Djarin formally adopted his young Force-sensitive companion, now known as Din Grogu, and began training him as a true Mandalorian.

Look, as a dad myself, I totally get where Mando’s at. He needed work that wouldn’t put him in too much danger while still providing for his kid. So he started taking jobs with the New Republic – basically, hunting down any leftover bad guys from the Empire who were still causing trouble and messing with the fragile peace we’ve got in the galaxy. It was a way to use his skills for something… less complicated, you know?

“The Mandalorian” first aired in 2019 with the goal of attracting both longtime “Star Wars” fans and new viewers. Over time, the series has built its own unique stories and expanded its place within the larger “Star Wars” universe by introducing characters from other films and shows.

Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about The Mandalorian, Grogu, and the main characters in the first new Star Wars story since 2019 – without giving away any major plot points.

Do I need to watch ‘The Mandalorian’ before watching ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’?

You don’t need to know much about “Star Wars” to enjoy this movie! While it continues the story of “The Mandalorian,” it’s a complete adventure on its own. Just know that Mando is a bounty hunter who works for the heroes, and Grogu is his adopted, Force-sensitive child and student.

The movie includes hidden details and nods to previous shows like “The Mandalorian” and other “Star Wars” series, offering extra enjoyment for longtime fans.

Hollywood Inc.

As a huge “Star Wars” fan, I’m so excited to finally see it back in theaters this weekend with “The Mandalorian and Grogu”! It’s been over six and a half years since a “Star Wars” film was on the big screen, and honestly, things feel pretty different now compared to when we last left off. The whole movie landscape has changed!

What should I watch to know everything about the Mandalorian and Grogu?

Okay, so if you want the complete story of Din Djarin and Grogu, here’s what you gotta do. Start with Seasons 1 and 2 of “The Mandalorian.” Then, jump over to “The Book of Boba Fett” and watch Episodes 5 through 7 – those are crucial. Finally, finish it all off with Season 3 of “The Mandalorian.” Trust me, it’s worth the watch in this order!

The show’s 27 episodes detail the beginning of Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey together – from when they first meet, to their adventures as Din becomes more and more protective of Grogu. It also follows Din’s search for Jedi who can care for Grogu, highlights Grogu’s fondness for snacks, and explores the history of the Mandalorians.

What else should I watch to know everything for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’?

If you’re a dedicated “Star Wars” fan and want to get the complete picture, it’s worth watching all of “The Book of Boba Fett,” not just the episodes that feature The Mandalorian and Grogu. The series introduces the Twins, who are relatives of the late Jabba the Hutt and are eager to take over his criminal empire.

We first meet Rotta the Hutt as a baby in the 2008 animated movie “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Set between “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” the movie shows Rotta being kidnapped in a scheme to make Jabba the Hutt distrust the Republic, but doesn’t share much else about his story. For those looking for extra details and hidden references, the “Clone Wars” animated series is also worth watching.

Travel & Experiences

Disneyland now includes characters from The Mandalorian – including Din Djarin and Grogu (Baby Yoda) – in its Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, making the ride more engaging and immersive.

Fans of the animated series “The Clone Wars” may recognize a bounty hunter appearing in the trailers for “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Though Embo didn’t have a large role, he made brief appearances in a few episodes, including Season 2 Episode 17, Season 5 Episode 14, and Season 6 Episode 5.

If you’re interested in learning more about Zeb Orrelios – the character who appeared with other Rebel veterans in Season 3, Episode 5 of “The Mandalorian” – the animated series “Star Wars Rebels” is a great place to start. Specifically, episodes 3 from Season 1, and episodes 14 and 17 from Season 2, really focus on his story as a Lasat warrior whose people were almost destroyed for resisting the Empire.

None of these other installments are crucial for following the events of the new movie, though.

What about those cute alien mechanics that even Grogu seems obsessed with?

As a huge “Star Wars” fan, I always find it fascinating when the universe connects in unexpected ways. We first meet the Anzellans – these tiny, incredibly skilled droid builders – in Season 3 of “The Mandalorian” where we’re told they’re the best in the Outer Rim. But here’s the thing that always gets me: Babu Frik, that adorable little droid repair expert from “The Rise of Skywalker,” actually appeared before Mando and Grogu ever met them! Considering “Rise of Skywalker” happens after the events of “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” it’s a cool little timeline detail that shows how interconnected everything is.

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2026-05-21 21:31