The Force is strong with The Mandalorian, which has now been officially confirmed by Disney as the most-watched Disney+ original series to date on the platform, based on hours streamed.
According to Jordan Maison of Cinelinx, Disney's Quarter 3 Investors Presentation has reaffirmed the mouse house's commitment to releasing 3 Star Wars movies between 2026-2027, including The Mandalorian & Grogu. Not only that, it also confirms that The Mandalorian is Disney+'s most-watched original series to date, based on hours streamed.
Disney Q3 Investors presentation reaffirms plans to have 3 #StarWars films between 2026-27. Sounds like they’re sticking to those previously announced dates for now. pic.twitter.com/tyoMA3v6RW
— Jordan Maison (@JordanMaison) August 7, 2024
This is a massive win for the first Star Wars live-action series, which launched the Disney+ streaming service. The Mandalorian Season 1 premiered on November 12, 2019, and Season 2 dropped less than a year later in 2020. Season 3 of The Mandalorian, its most divisive, still put up strong viewership numbers. All three seasons of the series stormed to the top of Nielsen's top 10, with the Season 2 finale putting up colossal numbers. The Mandalorian is not only a success with Disney+ subscribers, but the show has proven to be great for business, thanks to the endless demand for Grogu merchandise.
Not only has The Mandalorian outperformed other Star Wars live-action series such as Andor, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and The Acolyte, but it's also beaten out tough competition from Marvel's starstudded live-action series, including Loki, Moon Knight, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and WandaVision. If that's not enough to give you an idea of how big The Mandalorian is, then consider that it's getting a movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu, after only three seasons.
The Mandalorian is an enormous success for Disney+, and other series may never be able to overtake its viewership demand. However, there's a lot to learn from its continued success. It appeals to fans of every demographic with quality storytelling, direction, and pleasing visuals, regardless of whether they're Star Wars fans. The show has been appreciated and criticized for several high-profile cameos including Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, and Ahsoka Tano, however, that's only part of why it's loved.
Undoubtedly, the show's success is largely thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Grogu and Din Djarin. Greef Karga wasn't kidding when he said, "They all hate you, Mando, 'cause' you're a legend!" Some may hate the show for its continued popularity while most can't get enough of it. Star Wars fans have continued to stream The Mandalorian 5 years since its premiere thanks to Pedro Pascal's titular Mandalorian and his adorable green son. Their ever-deepening bond has captivated audiences of all ages, making their relationship a timeless and universal draw.
Even though the show's future remains uncertain, considering its remarkable success over the past five years, Disney and Lucasfilm will likely capitalize on this momentum. While a movie is in the pipeline, fans hope for a fourth season. Greenlighting another season would be a low-risk, high-reward move, allowing Disney to continue milking its most successful streaming cash cow – a true gift that keeps on giving.
The Mandalorian is streaming on Disney+.