8 Sci-Fi Westerns To Watch Before The Mandalorian & Grogu

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One of the most anticipated movies of 2026 is upon us as The Mandalorian and Grogu is starting to hit theaters. The film is meant to act as a follow-up piece to The Mandalorian TV series, which was such a hit on Disney+. It also marks the first feature movie released in the Star Wars franchise in seven years, with the most recent one being Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was designed to conclude the Skywalker Saga.

Based on what we’ve seen, The Mandalorian and Grogu appears to be a more contained story compared to the large-scale events of other Star Wars films. However, like those films, it still blends science fiction with the feel of a classic western. In fact, it seems this new series leans even more into the western genre than most Star Wars stories, and that’s been a key part of the show’s success.

Sci-fi westerns aren’t super common, but a few excellent movies in the genre can give you a feel for the world of The Mandalorian and Grogu. These films either have a similar atmosphere, feature actors from the show, or are connected to other well-known franchises.

Mad Max 2 (1981)

The 1979 film Mad Max was a huge, unexpected success, becoming the most profitable movie at the time. Many fans consider its 1981 sequel even better. Unlike shows like The Mandalorian, Mad Max is set on a ruined Earth, not in outer space. The story follows Max as he aids a group of settlers in protecting their community from violent raiders in a post-apocalyptic world.

The film Mad Max 2, also called The Road Warrior, was highly praised for its acting, exciting action sequences, and beautiful visuals. Even after many years, it remains a popular and influential movie, especially with the release of successful sequels. Interestingly, the character of Max shares similarities with Din Djarin – both are unconventional heroes who frequently step in to protect others.

John Carter (2012)

The movie John Carter is known for being a major box office failure. Despite costing around $300 million to produce, it only earned about $285 million, resulting in significant financial losses for the studio. Many believe the film’s unsuccessful marketing is a key reason why it didn’t perform well with audiences and became one of the biggest flops in movie history.

Even though it has some obvious flaws, John Carter is an enjoyable sci-fi western. The story centers around John Carter, a former army captain who finds himself on an alien world and becomes involved in a large-scale conflict. Many of the creatures in the movie feel like they’d fit perfectly into the Star Wars universe, and the film’s space adventure has a similar feel to that franchise.

Back To The Future Part III (1990)

The third Back to the Future movie took a surprising turn. While the first two films were primarily sci-fi comedies, the third one leans heavily into the western genre. It also sends Marty McFly and Doc Brown further back in time than ever before—all the way to 1885! This sets the stage for a lot of entertaining western-style adventures, complete with cowboy costumes for our favorite characters.

Most fans think Back to the Future Part III isn’t as good as the original two movies, but it’s still an enjoyable sci-fi western adventure. Like the relationship between Din and Grogu, the connection between Doc and Marty is a strong partnership that works well in their unique setting.

Westworld (1973)

Today, many people are familiar with Westworld as the popular HBO series from the late 2010s. However, before the TV show, Westworld was a movie released in the 1970s, and it remains one of the most famous and important science fiction westerns ever made for the cinema.

The movie centers around a theme park filled with incredibly realistic androids that begin to break down. Over time, it’s gained a reputation as a truly great film. Though it’s different from The Mandalorian and Grogu, anyone who enjoys this type of sci-fi should definitely check it out.

Serenity (2005)

When people talk about TV shows that ended before their time, Firefly is almost always mentioned. Created by Joss Whedon, the series takes place in 2517 and follows the exciting journeys of the diverse crew aboard the spaceship Serenity. Even though it only lasted one season, the show has a dedicated fanbase and remains popular today.

The film Serenity, released in 2005, continued the story of the television show it was based on – a similar approach to The Mandalorian and Grogu. Though the types of adventures are different, Serenity is still a really fun space adventure.

Prospect (2018)

While many know Pedro Pascal from hits like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, he actually appeared in another science fiction western before becoming a major star. The film, called Prospect, is a lesser-known but interesting project that came before his more famous roles, including The Mandalorian and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

This movie is different from The Mandalorian because Pedro Pascal doesn’t play a father figure here. Prospect tells the story of a teenage girl (Sophie Thatcher) and her father who travel to a dangerous, poisonous moon to mine for valuable gems. They encounter problems with other miners, and Pascal plays one of them.

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

Most people probably remember Cowboys & Aliens as a box office disappointment, just like John Carter. While it made over $170 million, with a budget of around $160 million, it still resulted in financial losses for the studio. Despite this, it’s a genuinely enjoyable film that successfully blends science fiction and western elements.

Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford have great chemistry, making every scene lively and engaging. The movie, based on a graphic novel, takes place in a unique version of the 1870s with a futuristic twist, and follows a team of people working together to protect Earth from aliens.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

If you enjoyed The Mandalorian and are looking for something similar, the Star Wars universe is the best place to start. While many Star Wars films could fit the sci-fi western style, The Mandalorian and Solo: A Star Wars Story share a lot of the same qualities.

Solo: A Star Wars Story tells the story of Han Solo’s beginnings and plays out like a classic adventure, borrowing familiar elements from the genre. It has a Western-like feel with enjoyable characters, much like what we’ve seen in the trailers for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

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2026-05-21 15:44