Rob Reviews: Masters of the Universe (2026)

On Thursday, Kid 2 and I went to see the new live-action Masters of the Universe movie. For Kid 2, it was an introduction into a bit of his old man’s childhood. For me, it was a chance to revisit some old friends.

As an ’80s kid, it should come as no surprise that I collected Masters of the Universe toys. I watched the cartoon every day after school on Channel 20 Detroit. I read the comic books from time to time, and I even bought the He-Man & the Masters of the Universe magazine!

Unlike the lackluster 1987 film, this updated movie stayed very true, not just to the classic toy line, but to the animated series from the 1980s.

The film had to address some of the problematic elements of the franchise—a guy named He-Man, a guy named Fisto, a guy named Ram Man—all of which became great material for a franchise that’s willing to make jabs at its own source material.

The story begins with Skeletor and his evil forces attacking the Royal Palace of Eternia. As usual, Skeletor is determined to take Castle Grayskull and assume “the power of Grayskull” for himself. That means eliminating the heroic Royal Guard who are sworn to defend the castle. During the fight, a young Prince Adam is forced to flee to Earth, where he spends the next 15 years remembering his life on Eternia and becoming obsessed with reclaiming the Power Sword.

Of course, Adam eventually makes his way back to Eternia, finally transforms into He-Man, and defeats Skeletor. It’s the stuff you would expect if you’re at all familiar with the franchise.

There were definitely elements of the Marvel franchise here; as I said, this is IP that seems perfectly at peace with poking fun at some of its own humorous elements.

The Cast and the Craft

Idris Elba was amazing as Duncan/Man-At-Arms. He is one of those actors who I would happily pay money to watch read a phonebook. Of course, everybody is talking about the way that Jared Leto chews up every bit of screen time he gets as Skeletor. He somehow strikes an amazing balance between his over-the-top ’80s panache and, in certain moments, seeming straight-up sinister.

Nicholas Galitzine was quite surprising in dual roles as Prince Adam and He-Man. I don’t know if they shot parts of the movie out of sequence so that Galitzine could bulk up in order to be a more imposing He-Man, but there does seem to be a noticeable physical transformation between the two personas. It could all be a matter of costuming and body language, but he plays both parts effectively nonetheless.

I enjoyed Masters of the Universe. It was what it was. It’s popcorn. It’s not Shakespeare, and it was never intended to be. I am a little surprised that Mattel decided to dust off IP that has been relatively dormant for the last 25 years. Of course, after the success of Barbie, the doors are wide open for more Mattel movies.

The Business of Nostalgia

I am hearing that the film is already being considered a “box office flop.” Generally speaking, a movie needs to make 2.5 to 3 times its budget in order to be considered profitable. With a budget of over $200 million, it’s doubtful that Masters of the Universe is going to break even. However, this is an MGM movie—MGM being a part of Amazon. Amazon has the money to lose. I’m also thinking that Masters of the Universe is going to enjoy a pretty good life on streaming on Amazon Prime.

The movie, much in the tradition of the MCU, includes two mid-credit scenes. I’m not going to spoil them here. The first is very tongue-in-cheek, making fun of the ’80s animated series. The other definitely sets the table for a potential sequel.

And I hope we do get a sequel, even if it does go straight to streaming. Of course, as I mentioned before, this is IP that is probably geared more at the 40- and 50-year-old men running around America today.

Final Take

Masters of the Universe is an unapologetic love letter to the 1980s. Visually, it’s a candy-colored fever dream that feels less like a modern blockbuster and more like a high-budget cousin to Flash Gordon or Highlander. That connection is no accident, either—the score carries that unmistakable, soaring rock-orchestral energy, with Brian May contributing to the soundscape in a way that feels like a deliberate nod to those cult classics.

My favorite moment of the day actually happened when the credits rolled. As we left the theater, Kid 2 looked at me and said, “That was the best movie…” before catching himself and correcting, “…the best Mattel movie I’ve ever seen!” It was a reminder that even if this is “popcorn” cinema, it still holds a bridge between generations.

Whether this is the beginning of a true empire-building effort or just a strategic play by Mattel remains to be seen. Given the rumors that they were at risk of losing the IP rights, I can’t help but wonder if this film was as much about “staking a claim” as it was about storytelling. Still, for those of us who grew up with the toys and the cartoons, it’s a fun, nostalgic, and surprisingly self-aware ride. It knows exactly what it is, and for once, that’s enough.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Power Swords

Masters of the Universe is currently playing in theaters everywhere.

Rebuilding a life takes grit, consistency, and a lot of ‘Option C’ thinking. Having crossed the 1,000-day milestone, I’m now charting the territory beyond. The mission remains the same: No glitz. Just the work. New to the blog? Start your journey here to see the blueprint and the ‘Tricorder’ perspective behind the rebuild.

Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road beyond 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE.

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