The Mandalorian clocked in at number 22 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 20 best sci-fi shows of all time. The list includes the best of the sci-fi genre and some of the best shows of the past few decades overall.
The Mandalorian premiered in 2019 and kickstarted the Star Wars live-action series on Disney+. The show's success paved the way for Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, The Book of Boba Fett, and The Acolyte. Not all shows have had the same success as The Mandalorian, which has become a brand in its own right. The show's lead characters, Din Djarin and Grogu, have become a rage among fans of all ages, sparking a boom in merchandise sales and cosplay trends everywhere.
What started as a space western about a mysterious lone bounty hunter, who makes a living on the outer rim, soon became something much bigger. Din Djarin's devotion to the Mandalorian creed and anti-social nature were his major characteristics. Still, all his beliefs were put to the test when he met a gifted, Force-sensitive child named Grogu. Their relationship became the heart and soul of the series, which was nominated for a whopping 48 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 15.
Entertainment Weekly credits The Mandalorian as being the only Star Wars show "that truly reignited fervor for this universe." Mando came out at a time when the fandom was split, and the show did a great job of bringing everyone together. It also "strikes a closer tone to George Lucas’ original saga than most other recent installments." Mando's success has catapulted its leading man, Pedro Pascal, to the top of Hollywood's list of the most in-demand actors.
Following his success as the helmeted Mandalorian, Pascal featured as the leading man on The Last of Us, Gladiator 2, The Materialists, Eddington, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Next year, he returns as Din Djarin on the big screen. The Mandalorian and Grogu's potential big-screen success will be a testament to the show's popularity and a test of its ability to attract fans of all ages.
Although Lucasfilm hasn't announced a fourth season, creator Jon Favreau has revealed that he has written the scripts. Even though sources speculate that The Mandalorian and Grogu is a condensed version of Mando season 4, this has never been confirmed. Recent rumors suggest that The Mandalorian and Grogu could be part 1 of a trilogy of Mando movies. This format makes sense for Mando, as it worked well for three seasons on Disney+.
Regardless, The Mandalorian has been Disney+'s most successful original series, surpassing Marvel's biggest hits, including Loki in views. It would be a shame if we never get another season of the show, especially as The Mandalorian season 3 was never announced as the final season. A show as successful as The Mandalorian deserves a grand send-off, but that's if it's ending. For now, we'll keep our fingers crossed that somewhere down the line, Lucasfilm will announce a fourth season.
The Mandalorian is streaming on Disney+, and The Mandalorian and Grogu premieres May 22, 2026.
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