Lucasfilm and IMAX drop 25 minutes of unseen footage on Star Wars Day for free
Lucasfilm and IMAX are hosting a free global fan event on 4 May 2026 — Star Wars Day — at select IMAX theatres worldwide, giving audiences more than 25 minutes of never-before-seen footage from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu ahead of its 22 May theatrical release, with attendees also receiving an exclusive limited-edition mini poster.
- A free “May the 4th IMAX Special Look Event” screens 25+ minutes of new footage on 4 May 2026 at 7 p.m. local time.
- Seats are first come, first served — Fandango RSVPs secure a limited-edition mini poster giveaway only.
- Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White star; the film opens worldwide on 22 May 2026.
- UK fans can catch the film at ODEON IMAX and BFI IMAX from 22 May — the first new Star Wars film in seven years.
What is the Star Wars Day IMAX event?
The event — officially titled The Mandalorian & Grogu: May the 4th IMAX Special Look Event — will take place simultaneously at participating IMAX theatres across the globe on Monday, 4 May 2026, beginning at 7 p.m. local time with no pre-show content.
According to the official Fandango event listing, the screening previews more than 25 minutes of exclusive, never-before-seen material from the film. Fans are advised to arrive by 6 p.m., as admission is first come, first served and is not guaranteed even with an RSVP.
Everyone who gets a seat will receive a limited-edition mini poster at the theatre. Lucasfilm has also promised additional surprises on the night, though details remain under wraps.
Why this matters for Star Wars fans
The Mandalorian and Grogu will be the first Star Wars film to reach cinemas since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 — a seven-year gap that has made this release a significant moment for the franchise.
Director Jon Favreau told the CinemaCon crowd in Las Vegas last week, where he unveiled the first 17 minutes of the film, that “Star Wars made me fall in love with movies.” Favreau co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor.
“Celebrate May the 4th with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Join IMAX and Lucasfilm for special look fan events at select IMAX theatres around the world on Star Wars Day, featuring exclusive, never-before-seen footage and special fan giveaways.” — IMAX(@IMAX), 22 April 2026
Cast, story, and what we know about the film
Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, the Mandalorian bounty hunter, alongside his ward Grogu — known globally as Baby Yoda. Sigourney Weaver plays Colonel Ward, a New Republic military commander, while Jeremy Allen White portrays Rotta the Hutt, son of the notorious Jabba.
Set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, the story follows Djarin and Grogu as they are enlisted by the New Republic to help counter the threat of scattered Imperial warlords. According to the official synopsis, the mission escalates into a high-stakes galaxy-saving operation.
How to attend and what to expect
RSVPs for the May the 4th event are being handled through the Fandango website, where fans can locate their nearest participating IMAX theatre and register. The RSVP guarantees only the limited-edition mini poster — seating remains first come, first served.
The screening begins promptly at 7 p.m. with no pre-show, so Lucasfilm recommends arriving by 6 p.m. at the latest. The event is free of charge and open to all, with no ticket purchase required.
Related reading
For more on the year’s biggest blockbusters, see our coverage of Marvel bringing Avengers: Endgame back with new footage, and our piece on the A24 Elden Ring film casting. Also worth reading: the Netflix Gears of War update.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
