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Disney’s new Star Wars chapter kicks off with a modest box-office showing for The Mandalorian and Grogu, a slower-than-expected start that suggests this era may take time to gain momentum, while Obsession grows in its second weekend.
Disney’s Mandalorian and Grogu feature opened to $102 million domestic and $165 million worldwide over a Memorial Day four‑day, the lowest opening for a Disney‑era Star Wars film. It trails Solo’s debut and comes with a modest $165 million budget, suggesting limited on‑screen impact despite strong fan interest; analysts say it hints at fatigue for big‑screen Star Wars, though Disney expects legs at the box office and to drive conversions via merchandise and Disney+. A next Star Wars film, Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, is planned for May 2027.
IMAX is reportedly exploring a potential sale, with the Wall Street Journal noting preliminary talks via intermediaries and CNBC saying there’s no formal process yet. The news spiked its stock and points to interest from entertainment companies—potential buyers could include Disney, Apple, Amazon, or Netflix—though Disney’s Infinity Vision format complicates the fit. IMAX also posted strong numbers, with about $1.28 billion worldwide last year, underscoring premium-experience cinema’s pull even as the theater industry contends with changes.
THR reports Disney insiders expect The Mandalorian and Grogu to be profitable, projecting a global four‑day box office of about $160–$170 million and domestic of $95–$100 million, though not surpassing Solo’s opening. With a production budget around $165 million plus at least $100 million in ads, the film likely needs $500–$600 million worldwide to break even. Strong audience scores and anticipated merchandising/Disney+ and parks boosts could help the Star Wars brand, but some insiders warn it may not rescue the franchise, with 2027’s Starfighter seen as a more decisive test.
The article reports that The Mandalorian and Grogu have set a new Rotten Tomatoes audience-score record, signaling exceptionally strong fan enthusiasm for the series and potentially rewriting expectations for streaming franchises.
Lucasfilm’s Mandalorian movie, featuring Grogu, is forecast to become Star Wars’ lowest-grossing theatrical release as the studio wrestles with a years-long shift from blockbuster filmmaking to streaming-centric storytelling and a history of high-profile director changes.
A California class-action accuses Disney of privacy violations over optional facial-recognition gates at Disneyland entrances, alleging inadequate disclosure and consent; the suit seeks at least $5 million. Disney says participation is optional and data is deleted within 30 days, with separate entrances for those who wish to avoid the tech, though the opt-out signage is reportedly easy to overlook. The case highlights broader concerns about biometric privacy in public spaces and adds to other tech-related lawsuits.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios reimagines Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, with The Electric Mayhem replacing Aerosmith; previews are underway ahead of a May 26, 2026 opening. The update features a Muppet-focused pre-show with Scooter animatronic, new signage and props, Muppet-themed ride vehicles with ‘MUPP3TS’ plates, and a playlist of Electric Mayhem songs, plus updated exit areas and a refreshed on-ride photo experience with several Easter eggs and cameos.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu is eyeing a $160 million global opening over Memorial Day weekend, with about $80 million expected domestically over four days, $25 million in North American presales, and a wide international rollout across roughly 4,300 theaters (including 425 IMAX) plus a three-week exclusive IMAX run. The project, Disney/Lucasfilm’s first big-screen Mandalorian venture, leans on merchandise and park tie-ins, faces solid competition, and Korea is not participating; overseas markets are expected to buoy the total. Previews begin Thursday and critics sit around 61% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Adventure Time: Side Quests will debut June 29 on Disney+ and Hulu in the U.S., marking the franchise’s first release outside Warner Bros. Discovery’s ecosystem; outside the U.S., it will stream on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. Produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the spinoff follows Finn and Jake on new adventures with familiar characters returning, signaling closer platform integration for Disney’s services.
Disney is facing criticism after reports that a Pedro Pascal fan encounter tied to The Mandalorian was staged for publicity, prompting backlash over the authenticity of celebrity meet-and-greets and highlighting the PR tactics used in entertainment marketing.
Disney is facing backlash after reports that a viral Pedro Pascal Mandalorian moment at Disneyland was staged for invited Star Wars fans and influencers rather than random parkgoers; Disney did not claim spontaneity, and while some attendees described genuine reactions, critics say the stunt highlights growing concerns about influencer-driven marketing and audience trust.
A California federal class action accuses Disney of violating privacy, competition and consumer-protection laws by deploying facial-recognition at Disneyland and California Adventure entrances to verify tickets. The suit contends guests—often children—aren’t adequately informed or given meaningful opt-in consent, and that facial data is collected and linked to initial ticket or pass images to curb fraud and manage crowd flow. Disney says it disposes of biometric data within 30 days unless needed for legal or fraud reasons. The plaintiffs seek at least $5 million and argue the technology enables a privatized surveillance model. The case follows Disney’s $10 million FTC settlement last year over children’s data on YouTube.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters May 22, 2026, marking Star Wars’ return to the big screen since 2019. Early projections put domestic opening around $74–$90 million, with potential to clear $100 million during Memorial Day weekend; the production budget is about $165 million, notably lower than typical Star Wars films. While a billion-dollar global haul isn’t required for success, strong overseas performance and especially merchandise sales—led by Grogu toys—could push global totals past $500 million and help validate these characters on the big screen for Disney.
Disney's Hollywood Studios reveals the FØØD by Swedish Chef menu, featuring Wocka Wocking Nachos, Churro Drumstick, Mayhem Soft-Serve Float, Pink Le-moi-nade, and Pond Water Limeade, along with fan favorites like mini corn dogs, cookies, and frozen floats, plus notes on merchandise, pre-show Audio-Animatronics, and ride-vehicle/repaint details.