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California Filing Shows ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Is Disney’s Lowest-Budget ‘Star Wars’ Film

Public records list a $166.4 million production, pointing to a StageCraft-led efficiency push that lowers the box-office threshold.

Overview

  • California Film Commission filings peg the movie’s production cost at $166.4 million, the lowest reported for a Disney-era Star Wars theatrical release.
  • GamesRadar+ reports the figure as after a $21.75 million California tax credit noted in the filings.
  • Production ran from June to December 2024, leaned on ILM’s StageCraft virtual production, and had no major reshoots reported.
  • Outlets frame the lower spend as a deliberate Lucasfilm strategy that reduces break-even pressure and enhances downstream streaming value.
  • The film is slated to open in theaters on May 22, 2026, with Shawn Levy’s Starfighter targeting 2027 as the next entry in the streamlined slate.