Parijat Ghosh 
Movie theaters have always loved a good build-up before the main feature. Think trailers, animated countdowns, stuff that gets you pumped before the lights go down. But recently, something special started popping up in IMAX screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Audiences weren’t just watching trailers for upcoming films. They were suddenly treated to a branded, themed IMAX countdown for The Mandalorian and Grogu, the upcoming Star Wars theatrical adventure, hitting cinemas in 2026. And if you missed it, no worries, you can watch it below!
Not Just a Logo, A Cinematic Opening
This isn’t your average logo countdown. Instead of the standard “PREPARE… TO… BELIEVE…” text and the generic IMAX bars and tones, theaters played a Mandalorian-themed intro with imagery and design inspired by the upcoming movie. Fans online reported that the countdown itself feels like a short intro to the Star Wars galaxy, complete with high-quality visuals and references that made it feel more cinematic than typical pre-show loops.
Fans React Online Almost Instantly
Viewers on Reddit were honestly surprised by it. One user said they expected just the normal prologue for other upcoming films in the IMAX pre-show, but were instead greeted by this Star Wars opening that felt like a mini experience. They even noted that the tagline switched to “See More, Hear More, Feel More”. A nod to the classic IMAX lines from twenty years ago, and the visuals felt higher quality than the recent Fantastic Four IMAX countdown.
People loved that it wasn’t just a flat corporate graphic. Some fans said it felt like a 3D piece of content in itself, showing Star Wars visuals in the deeper, immersive format that IMAX provides. They also made jokes about how it was way better than some promotional countdowns they’ve seen. Because it actually felt fun instead of just being filler.
Comparisons to the Fantastic Four IMAX Promotion
This move by IMAX echoes a trend where studios and theaters play specialized content tied directly to big upcoming titles. For example, when Fantastic Four was being pushed earlier in the year, theaters tested a unique IMAX countdown for promotion. Fans have compared the two, and so far, the Son-of-Star-Wars version seems to be a fan favorite.
Some folks have even shared clips and screenshots on social platforms like X and Instagram, pointing out that this Mandalorian intro could be a new thing IMAX might do more often for major movie launches. It works like a mini promotional teaser that sets the mood before the real movie starts.
Why This Is Important
- The Mandalorian and Grogu are one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of 2026. This movie is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Pedro Pascal, with Grogu front and center. The movie is being shot and formatted for IMAX screens to make the visuals even more epic.
- Giving audiences a themed pre-show countdown is a clever way to start building excitement. This makes going to IMAX feel even more like an event.
- Audience reactions? Both positive and playful, show that people actually notice these changes and that it adds to the theater experience.
So if you’re planning to catch Avatar: Fire and Ash in IMAX before The Mandalorian and Grogu come out, show up a little early. You might just get one of the coolest countdowns in theaters, and that’s a nice perk before the main movie even begins.
If you have any more opinions on The Mandalorian and Grogu, feel free to mention them in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
