Star Wars Unveils Slate of Films and Series for 2026 Release

The Star Wars universe is gearing up for a major resurgence in 2026, with Lucasfilm confirming a lineup of theatrical films and streaming series that bridge familiar characters with new narratives. This slate includes the first big-screen entry since 2019’s ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, signaling Disney’s renewed investment in the franchise following a period of development delays. Key projects span animated explorations of Sith lords to live-action adventures in the post-Skywalker era. Executives at Lucasfilm have emphasized integrating these stories into the broader canon, drawing from established timelines like the Mando-verse.

‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ leads the charge as a feature film directed by Jon Favreau, scheduled for theatrical release on May 22, 2026. Filming concluded at the end of 2024, positioning it as a direct extension of the Disney+ series ‘The Mandalorian’. The project replaces what was initially planned as the show’s fourth season. Details on the cast remain limited, but it centers on the bounty hunter Din Djarin and his Force-sensitive companion Grogu. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy highlighted its role in unifying recent streaming content.

On the animated front, ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ arrives on Disney+ in 2026, with Sam Witwer reprising his voice role as Darth Maul. Set between ‘The Clone Wars’ and ‘A New Hope’, the series depicts Maul’s efforts to reconstruct his criminal empire on a planet beyond Imperial reach. Production involves detailed animation to capture the character’s intricate tattoos and dual lightsaber combat. This marks the first Maul-focused solo project since his appearance in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. The narrative explores themes of power and betrayal in the underworld.

Another animated offering, ‘Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi’, expands on shorts from ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Seasons 1 and 3, produced by Production I.G. It debuts in 2026, delivering a miniseries with a darker tone amid Jedi lore. The story continues the saga of a young Jedi navigating a galaxy in turmoil. No specific cast has been announced, but it maintains the anthology’s experimental style with Japanese-inspired visuals. This project aims to attract anime enthusiasts to the Star Wars fold.

Looking further ahead, ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is slated for May 28, 2027, under director Shawn Levy and writer Jonathan Tropper. Ryan Gosling stars in this standalone tale set five years after ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. Development began in 2022, focusing on aerial combat and new Force users. The film avoids direct ties to the Skywalker Saga, introducing fresh planets and conflicts. Levy has described it as a cosmic adventure emphasizing high-stakes dogfights.

‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 is in active development for Disney+, potentially arriving late 2025 or early 2026. It resolves the first season’s cliffhanger involving Ahsoka Tano and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Dave Filoni oversees the series, which may connect to his untitled Mando-verse crossover film. Returning cast includes Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren. The plot delves into ancient threats from the Unknown Regions.

Additional films in pre-production include Taika Waititi’s untitled live-action project, co-written with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, exploring uncharted eras. James Mangold’s ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ examines the origins of the Jedi Order 25,000 years before the original trilogy. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy directs a New Jedi Order film starring Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker, scripted by George Nolfi. Simon Kinberg’s trilogy introduces a parallel storyline to the main saga. Carlton Cuse and Nick Cuse are developing an undisclosed series for Disney+.

These announcements reflect Lucasfilm’s strategy to release content annually, with a mix of theatrical and streaming formats. The studio has allocated budgets exceeding $200 million for major films like ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’. Fan reactions on social platforms indicate high anticipation for character crossovers. Disney aims to leverage these projects to boost subscriber growth on its platform.