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| Where Was The Mandalorian and Grogu Filmed? Every Major Shooting Location Behind the 2026 Star Wars Movie. (Credits: Disney) |
Disney finally brought Din Djarin and Grogu onto the big screen with “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu”, and while fans expected explosive action, chaotic bounty hunts, and Grogu casually stealing every scene again, many viewers ended up distracted by something else entirely — the filming locations. The 2026 sci-fi adventure turned several corners of California into a massive intergalactic playground, proving once again that Hollywood can make a parking lot look like a dangerous alien planet if the lighting team is motivated enough.
The film, directed by Jon Favreau, follows the aftermath of the fallen Galactic Empire as scattered warlords continue causing trouble across the galaxy. Din Djarin and Grogu are pulled into another complicated rescue mission involving Rotta the Hutt, dangerous intel, and enough galactic chaos to keep the New Republic permanently stressed.
But behind all the futuristic armour, visual effects, and dramatic spaceship entrances, most of the production stayed firmly grounded in California, particularly across Los Angeles County.
A huge portion of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” was filmed throughout Downtown Los Angeles, which once again proved it can transform into absolutely anything filmmakers want. ne street can look like a modern city in the morning and a lawless outer-rim trading planet by nightfall.
Several exterior sequences were reportedly captured around industrial blocks, warehouse districts, and closed production streets where giant set pieces and transport vehicles were spotted during filming in 2024.
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Locals apparently watched giant production trucks roll in while trying to grab coffee before work, which is probably the most Los Angeles thing imaginable. Production also heavily relied on MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach, one of the biggest studio facilities in California.
The massive studio complex at 1600 Rosecrans Avenue became the core production base for the film. Known formerly as Manhattan Beach Studios, the location houses huge sound stages, advanced LED virtual production technology, large-scale backlots, and enough technical equipment to make even seasoned sci-fi productions look small.
This is where much of the film’s space environments, cockpit interiors, and large action sequences were crafted. Fans online joked that Grogu probably spent more time inside these sound stages than most people spend outside during the week.
The use of virtual production technology at MBS Media Campus also helped continue the visual style first popularised in “The Mandalorian” Disney+ series. Instead of relying entirely on green screens, filmmakers used giant LED environments that displayed moving digital landscapes in real time.
The result gives scenes a more immersive look while actors can actually see the environments around them instead of pretending a tennis ball is a terrifying alien creature. Honestly, cinema has evolved so much that even fake deserts now have better lighting than most real holidays.
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Another important filming base was Culver City, an area long associated with classic Hollywood production history. Several indoor and controlled-location sequences were reportedly shot around studio facilities and secured production zones within the city.
Culver City’s connection to film history made it a fitting place for a major Star Wars production, especially one trying to bridge classic franchise nostalgia with modern blockbuster filmmaking. Some fans online even called the city “the unofficial capital of people wearing headsets and carrying coffee while looking extremely busy.”
The production later expanded into Alhambra, located in the western San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. One of the most talked-about locations there was Wrensmoor Castle, situated along Grand View Drive.
The historic estate reportedly became one of the film’s fictional planetary settings, with parts of the property transformed into elaborate sci-fi environments. Its dramatic architecture, hidden pathways, and old-world atmosphere gave filmmakers plenty to work with.
Viewers already familiar with the castle instantly recognised certain textures and stairways in trailers, though Star Wars fans naturally responded by pausing every frame like they were conducting a classified investigation for the Republic.
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Additional scenes were also filmed around Long Beach, where large transport equipment and production units were reportedly seen during portions of the shoot. The city’s industrial waterfront areas fit perfectly with the gritty Star Wars aesthetic, especially for scenes involving docks, cargo movement, and underground operations.
Long Beach has quietly become a favourite filming spot for action-heavy productions because it can easily double as futuristic trade ports or militarised zones. One fan online summed it up perfectly: “Every sci-fi movie eventually ends up filming in Long Beach. At this point, it deserves its own cinematic universe.”
The production reportedly used parts of Santa Clarita as well, particularly for outdoor terrain sequences requiring rocky landscapes and open desert-like environments. The natural scenery around the area blended well with the rugged survivalist tone associated with Din Djarin’s journey.
California’s dry terrain has long been useful for Star Wars productions because it naturally resembles remote outer-rim planets without needing excessive digital alterations. In simpler terms, nature already did half the visual effects work.
Meanwhile, sections of Pasadena were also adapted for selective filming setups connected to New Republic environments and urban transition scenes. Certain architectural areas reportedly offered the clean, structured look needed for more civilised planetary settings within the story.
Compared to the rougher industrial filming zones used elsewhere, Pasadena brought a more polished atmosphere to the production design. Basically, even galaxies filled with bounty hunters apparently still need aesthetically pleasing government buildings.
Fans have reacted strongly to the filming locations ever since behind-the-scenes information started circulating online. Some viewers praised the decision to keep production centred in California rather than relying entirely on overseas studio work.
Others were fascinated by how ordinary streets, castles, and industrial areas became believable Star Wars locations with the help of practical effects and digital expansion. Social media discussions also exploded after viewers realised several scenes were filmed surprisingly close to everyday tourist spots.
Nothing humbles a Star Wars fan faster than discovering a dramatic galactic chase happened five minutes away from someone buying iced coffee. Many longtime Star Wars viewers also appreciated Jon Favreau confirming that the movie became the first Star Wars film made entirely within Los Angeles.
That detail alone created strong reactions online, especially among California film supporters who viewed the production as a major win for local crews, studios, and workers. Others simply celebrated the return of Grogu, who somehow continues dominating audience attention without saying a single full sentence. Quite impressive, honestly.
Several of these filming locations can still be visited by the public, making them appealing additions for travellers planning a California holiday with a bit of cinematic nostalgia attached.
From the studio-heavy corners of Manhattan Beach to the historic atmosphere of Wrensmoor Castle and the industrial stretches of Long Beach, the locations behind “The Mandalorian and Grogu” offer fans a chance to step into pieces of the Star Wars universe without needing a spaceship licence.
And knowing Star Wars fans, someone is already planning a full filming-location road trip while carrying a Grogu backpack and pretending not to. If more filming spots connected to “The Mandalorian and Grogu” emerge, Tonboriday will absolutely keep tracking them down. So, out of all these locations, which one would you actually visit first?