Star Wars‘ next movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, brings a new part of the timeline to the screen for the first time. It’s been six years since Star Wars was last seen on the big screen, and Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu are leading the charge. Lucasfilm has finally unveiled the first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and there’s not a Jedi in sight.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is moving away from the Skywalkers, although the villains are familiar. All the signs suggest the Empire has returned as the movie’s main foes, which is naturally leaving many curious about just where this fits into the Star Wars timeline. Fortunately, we can already answer that question…

The Mandalorian Era Is Set Five Years After Return Of The Jedi

The Mandalorian and Grogu spins out of The Mandalorian TV show on Disney+, and we already know where that goes in the timeline. Those stories begin five years after the Emperor’s death in Return of the Jedi, and four years after the Empire’s official defeat at the Battle of Jakku.

Unfortunately, Lucasfilm seem more than a little unsure about how much time passed over the show’s three seasons. According to the official Star Wars: Timelines book, seasons 1 and 2 all took place in the same year (officially 9 ABY, dated in reference to the Battle of Yavin). Season 3, however, said events from the first season happened “many cycles ago.“

The Mandalorian and Grogu is set even after season 3, bringing a whole new part of the Star Wars timeline to the big screen at last. We can’t say exactly where it’s set (Lucasfilm may not have even decided), but we do know it’s over five years after Return of the Jedi.

What Is The Galaxy Like In This New Star Wars Era?

The Empire was officially defeated at least four years before The Mandalorian and Grogu. The New Republic has become the one true galactic power, and it has entered a time of peace and prosperity. It appears to have claimed Coruscant at its capital.

Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma (who played a prominent role in Andor but also made a cameo in Ahsoka) is officially chancellor of the New Republic. Princess Leia is leader of the New Republic Defense Council, responsible for oversight of the Defense Fleet. Luke Skywalker is busy establishing his New Jedi Order.

Not everybody believes the Empire is truly defeated, with high-ranking members of the Defense Fleet aware of Imperial activity on the Outer Rim. Matters have been complicated after Ahsoka season 1, which was concurrent with The Mandalorian season 3. This saw gifted Imperial strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn return to the main galaxy, presumably planning to command Imperial forces.

The Mandalorian season 3 revealed Imperial forces are currently working together under a “Shadow Council,” meaning there’s a galactic conspiracy afoot – and they even name-dropped Project Necromancer, the cloning experiments that will ultimately resurrect Palpatine. Given The Mandalorian and Grogu is featuring the Empire, we’re sure to learn more.

The Mandalorian and Grogu releases May 22, 2026.