Trouble in the Galaxy? ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Sees Significant Second-Weekend Drop

Disney and Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is experiencing a notably weaker second weekend at the box office than anticipated.

As reported by Variety, the film generated $6.5 million on Friday in North America during its second weekend in theaters, reflecting a staggering 70% drop from its opening day performance.

Initial projections had suggested the movie could earn around $40 million over the weekend. However, newer estimates from competing studios indicate a much lower outcome, with the film expected to bring in approximately $25 million by Sunday.

If these estimates hold true, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ will reach about $136 million at the domestic box office after two weekends in release.

This sharp decline comes as new competition enters theaters. One of the most surprising contenders is ‘Backrooms,’ a horror film inspired by Kane Parsons’ viral YouTube series. The movie earned $38 million on Friday alone and is projected to make between $85 million and $90 million during its opening weekend, according to Variety.

While ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ remains among the top films in theaters, its second-weekend performance is falling short of earlier expectations. The latest numbers suggest that the film is facing a more challenging box office run than many analysts had predicted following its debut.

The film continues the story from the Disney+ series ‘The Mandalorian,’ which aired from 2019 to 2023. Pedro Pascal reprises his role as Din Djarin, also known as the Mandalorian, with Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder once again providing on-set performances for the character. The cast also features Jeremy Allen White, Jonny Coyne, Martin Scorsese, and Sigourney Weaver.

Set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, the narrative follows Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu as they embark on a mission for the New Republic. In exchange for crucial information about a significant target, the duo is tasked with rescuing Rotta the Hutt, portrayed by Jeremy Allen White.

Plans for a fourth season of ‘The Mandalorian’ were initially in the works, but production delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes led Lucasfilm to reconsider its approach. Instead of proceeding with another season, the studio opted to develop a feature film, which was officially announced in January 2024.

Filming took place in California from August to December 2024, with additional cast announcements made throughout production. Composer Ludwig Göransson, who collaborated on the television series, returned to create the film’s score.

Released in May, the film has received mixed reviews from critics.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!