After a relatively quiet start to the year, the “Summer Blockbuster” season is officially kicking off this May, and all eyes are on a galaxy far, far away.
On May 22, 2026, Lucasfilm returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, the film represents a massive gamble for Disney as it attempts to transition one of its most successful streaming properties into a theatrical powerhouse.
The film, which debuted its final trailer to a raucous crowd at CinemaCon earlier this month, follows Din Djarin and his apprentice on a mission to protect the fledgling New Republic from remnants of the Empire. With a score by Academy Award-winner Ludwig Göransson and a PG-13 rating, they are clearly hoping that this is the “anchor” for the 2026 summer movie roster.
However, Lucasfilm isn’t the only one betting the May releases. Next month offers a diverse range of alternative programming, including the comedy, crime adventure I Love Boosters. The momentum continues as we head into June, with the Masters of the Universe release on June 5. As theaters prepare for record-breaking crowds, May 2026 feels like the true return of the “must-see” cinematic event.