Mandalorian and Grogu Dip as Indie Horror Leads Weekend Box Office

Star Wars’ theatrical release The Mandalorian and Grogu opened with fanfare but plummeted 70% in Week 2, dropping to third place with about $25 million as indie horrors Obsession and Backrooms dominated the weekend. The result underscores ongoing franchise volatility, though Disney+ streaming promises long-tail audience engagement even if films stumble at theaters. With a reported $165 million budget (offset by California tax credits) and future projects like Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, Lucasfilm and Disney aim to leverage Mandalorian’s brand to drive subscriptions and merchandise while refining the movie strategy.