"GTA 6 vs. Star Wars: The Ultimate Gaming and Movie Showdown"

When The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026—the first new Star Wars film in six and a half years—and Grand Theft Auto VI follows just four days later on May 26, 2026—the first new GTA game in over twelve years—which one will truly capture the world’s attention? And which one will feel like more of the same?

At least on paper, these two releases should be among the biggest pop culture moments of 2026—the Barbenheimer of the year. A new Star Wars movie? A new GTA title!? Grand Theft Watto!!? While we can be certain that GTA 6 will be massive—it’s already massive—the story of The Mandalorian and his tiny companion is far less guaranteed.

It reminds me of when I was a kid and told my Noni I’d eat pizza every day if I could. I meant it! She said, “You’d get tired of it eventually.” But man, pizza every day sounded incredible! Still, she was absolutely right. Eating pizza daily is actually pretty awful—it’s unhealthy, and over time, you stop wanting to even think about it.

That’s where Star Wars stands now: pizza every single day, again and again. But GTA? The wait for a new GTA game has been building for years—and in many ways, that long anticipation is part of what makes the franchise so compelling. Lucasfilm and Disney would do well to take note.