May the 4th Be With You This MONDAY as ABC Celebrates Star Wars Day 2026!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Okay, it was actually back in May of 1977 and it was in movie theaters everywhere. "Star Wars: A New Hope" was the top-grossing movie of the year at a time when the average cost of a ticket was just under $2.25 and a large popcorn was about 75 cents. Those galactically low prices are why so many kids, my friends and I included, continually flocked to the theaters to see "Star Wars." The other reason is because it was the greatest movie we'd ever seen. To make the next showtime at the Woodhaven Mall in Northeast Philadelphia, we'd hop on our Huffy bikes racing at a light speed that could challenge the Millennium Falcon - a ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs. The lights would dim and John Williams' iconic score would transport us into a whole new galaxy.
It was a simpler disco-loving, mood ring-wearing, Fonzie shark-jumping time. It was also a time when Princess Leia left a message in a little droid known as R2-D2 at the beginning of a story about a boy, a girl and a universe. Okay, technically it wasn't the beginning since it started with Episode IV. All these years later, the Force is still a force with so many of us still embracing the magic of "Star Wars" just as much as we did as kids. Many additional generations have enjoyed the epic growth of this truly unique universe for decades. That's why ABC is celebrating "Star Wars Day 2026" this May the 4th with everything a Jedi-in-training needs available on Disney+ as well as "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" in theaters May 22.
The Mandalorian and Grogu | Official Trailer | In Theaters May 22
Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" opens exclusively in theaters May 22, 2026. The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.
About "Star Wars: The Mandalorian": After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. "The Mandalorian" is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors of the eight-episode season three include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard. Jon Favreau is the showrunner/head writer and serves as an executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are co-executive producers.
WATCH THE MANDALORIAN ON DISNEY+
You can also binge-watch the complete Skywalker saga of movies, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: The Bad Batch and much more all on Disney+. Give it a try! Actually, do or don't do. There is no try.
"STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER" IS STREAMING ON DISNEY+
The "Star Wars" that started it all turns 50 in 2027!
Watch all of the "Star Wars" movies & more on Disney+,
Remember... The Force will be with you, always.