For the first time since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Star Wars is returning to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026). The film is a continuation of the hit Star Wars series, The Mandalorian (2019). It sees Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu embark on a new adventure as they help the New Republic combat imperial warlords. Given that Djarin and Grogu are fan favourites, anticipation for the new movie is high.
However, The Mandalorian was quite a unique series in that it appealed to both longtime Star Wars fans and newcomers to the franchise. Between the new Star Wars fans and how long it has been since The Mandalorian premiered, viewers may need a refresher or recap on Star Wars events and characters pertinent to the new movie. You can use our guide to find every Star Wars TV show and movie to watch to enjoy The Mandalorian and Grogu best.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is the pilot film to the The Clone Wars series. Taking place between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005), it sees Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) stir mistrust of the Galactic Republic by framing Anakin (Matt Lanter) and Ahsoka (Ashley Eckstein) for Rotta the Hutt’s (David Accord) kidnapping.
While Star Wars: The Clone Wars has little to do with Djarin and Grogu, I recommend it because it includes the Hutts. The Mandalorian and Grogu marks Rotta the Hutt’s (Jeremy Allen White) first appearance since his baby Hutt debut in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Star Wars: The Clone Wars lacks some of the complexity and style of the TV series, but it’s sturdy enough to introduce you to the Hutts’ history with the Jedi and Rotta’s beginnings without having to go all the way back to the beginning of Star Wars.
Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
Star Wars Rebels takes place shortly after Revenge of the Sith. I wouldn’t say it’s mandatory to understand The Mandalorian and Grogu, but it’s a good watch if you want a little background on Zeb Orrelios (Steven Blum). In the series, Zeb is a primary member of the Ghost crew, proving a vital component of the rebellion through his muscle and brains. The Mandalorian already teased Zeb’s importance in Djarin and Grogu’s journey by having Zeb cameo.
Just as suspected, it was more than a fan service cameo, as Zeb will return in The Mandalorian and Grogu, aiding the Republic in avoiding another war. Star Wars Rebels is an excellent, rugged exploration of a ragtag group of rebels. It will provide a great backstory for Zeb and is an important watch in its own right, as Star Wars Rebels ties in quite significantly with The Mandalorian and its spinoffs.
The Mandalorian (2019-2023)
The Mandalorian is the most important work on this list as it provides the backstory of Djarin and Grogu. In the series, bounty hunter Djarin is hired to retrieve the force-sensitive child, Grogu. However, when he realizes Grogu is a vulnerable child, he decides to protect him rather than turn him over, sparking a wild adventure across the galaxy. As mentioned above, The Mandalorian and Grogu is the continuation of The Mandalorian, making it a must-see before the movie.
The Mandalorian takes place just nine years after Star Wars Rebels and helps set the tone for the New Republic Era, exploring the remnants of the Empire and the world of bounty hunters. Most importantly, it establishes the bond between Djarin and Grogu, offering a surprisingly tender and relatable story for the Star Wars universe. Both fans and newcomers alike can’t resist the perfect balance of action and emotion in The Mandalorian.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
The Book of Boba Fett is closely related to The Mandalorian, essentially filling the gap between Seasons 2 and 3. The show centers on Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec Shand (Ming Na-Wen), who try to establish themselves in the underworld, but must contend with the Hutts. Midway through the show, Djarin and Grogu appear, marking an important chapter in their story as Grogu must choose between training as a Jedi or following Djarin.
Djarin and Grogu’s appearance isn’t the only reason to watch The Book of Boba Fett before The Mandalorian and Grogu, as the series also delves into the Hutts. It provides vital context for their underworld activities during this time and may be important to understanding Rotta’s rise to power. The Book of Boba Fett is a little all over the place in its story, but you won’t regret the additional context on Djarin, Grogu, and the Hutts before The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Ahsoka (2023-Present)
Ahsoka takes place concurrently with The Mandalorian Season 3, and follows Ahsoka Tano’s (Rosario Dawson) mission to find Ezra (Eman Esfandi) amid rumors of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) return. It’s hard to say how important Ahsoka is to The Mandalorian and Grogu, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to watch it for some extra preparation. Tano isn’t confirmed to appear in the film, but many fans anticipate a possible surprise appearance.
The Mandalorian and Ahsoka are very closely linked, as The Mandalorian sets up Ahsoka. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if The Mandalorian and Grogu, in turn, connected to Ahsoka Season 1 or 2. Not only is it an excellent story that offers the long-awaited continuation of Star Wars Rebels, but it also provides potentially significant context for what’s happening in the galaxy during the time of The Mandalorian and Grogu.
