Out of the fiery pits of development hell has risen a new live-action Masters of the Universe movie. With the film’s rights having been passed through multiple major studios and many screenwriters and directors over the last decade, the MOTU brand was essentially deemed “unadaptable” for the big screen in the modern age. Do you approach the Mattel franchise, famous for spawning an iconic toy line in the 1980s and an equally beloved Filmation cartoon, with a campy tone or aim for something more serious? The once-maligned, now cult classic 1987 film starring Dolph Lundgren proved that adapting the material on an ambitious cinematic scale wasn’t as straightforward as you would think.
Previously, writer-directors Aaron and Adam Nee (The Lost City) came close to striking the formula for a live-action MOTU film under Netflix. So much so that they both still retain screenwriting credit in the final script for Masters of the Universe (2026). No offense to the Nee Brothers, but this kind of sword-and-sorcery epic would not have made the same impact on streaming as it does now on the big screen. Thanks to Amazon MGM Studios, who are seeking to build out their IP in their early years, and director Travis Knight, it is once again clear that nothing is truly “unadaptable.” It’s just that Hollywood, all these years, wasn’t brave enough to make a swing for the fences.
Embracing Silliness Without Self-Deprecation
As it turns out, the answer all along to getting a modern He-Man movie right was to fully embrace the franchise’s inherent silliness, but not to the point of self-deprecation. We have seen plenty of recent blockbuster franchises decline in quality as hilarious quips and self-referential humor turn into try-hard comedy and almost mockery. Yes, this can be seen in many superhero movies — the stark transition from the well-received Thor: Ragnarok (2017) to the much-hated Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) being the biggest example. Masters of the Universe (2026) walks a similar fine line. While it doesn’t always balance itself smoothly on that line, it thankfully never falls into unintentional parody or comedy that dishonors the source material.
Forced to flee his fantastical homeworld of Eternia as a child, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) has been trying to retrieve the Sword of Power for the last 15 years on Earth. Entrusted to him by the all-seeing Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) of Castle Grayskull, the sword is his only gateway home. Besides losing the sword on Earth, what haunts him the most is how he couldn’t prove himself in the eyes of his father, King Randor (James Purefoy), before the capital city of Eternos fell under the evil sorcerer Skeletor (Jared Leto). If he is to return home and harness the sword’s ultimate power, Adam must learn to choose his own definition of what it means to be a man.
The Duality of Nostalgia in ‘Masters of the Universe’
The film’s plot structure is quite clever in introducing younger audiences to a franchise primarily known to Gen X. It’s no secret that the colorful mythology of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a product of its time. The majority of viewers today also don’t know any characters outside of Skeletor and He-Man himself. Thus, there is a duality to the way nostalgia is infused in Amazon MGM’s adaptation. For one, most of the zany heroes and villains that Gen Xers had as toys are here, with a number of cheeky references to the ‘80s cartoon that will surely leave them with huge grins. This is no shallow point-and-clap parade, though.
Everyone else who didn’t grow up with MOTU gets to experience this vibrant world for the first time through Adam’s optimistic eyes. As he returns to Eternia with the help of his old friend Teela (Camila Mendes), Adam meets the defenders of Castle Grayskull like a stranger since he’s been gone for so long. He’s held on to them merely as memories from childhood drawings, giving each one a silly name that he made up as a kid. From Teela’s dad Duncan, aka Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), to Ram Man (Jon Xue Zhang) to Fisto (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson) to Mekaneck (James Wilkinson), each far-out character is introduced with such sincerity that it makes their inherently comical nature easier to accept.
Nicholas Galitzine is the Perfect He-Man for Today
The script’s nostalgic framing device is admirable and even endearing thanks to Nicholas Galitzine’s earnestness. However, it’s not the true secret to the film’s success. What’s most impressive about Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe is how it gives He-Man an empathetic machismo complex, forcing him to evolve beyond stereotypes. While there are self-referential jokes about He-Man’s manliness, the hero-warrior is forced to look inward and wrestle with his masculinity and tender image to conquer the day. Early on, it’s clear that both Adam and Skeletor lack self-esteem and are constantly masking their fragility. But where one ignores that problem by putting everyone under his control, the other learns to embrace his feelings to come out on top.
In any other scenario, this kind of storytelling would come off as forced. As previously teased, though, Galitzine has the perfect candor for the job. Those who have seen Bottoms (2023) and Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) know that he’s got great comedic chops, and they are on full display here. But he also brings an unforeseen pathos that miraculously makes He-Man feel relevant to a modern audience. Galitzine and Camile Mendes (Riverdale, Idiotka) complement each other on screen; their back-and-forth dynamic is at the film’s heart.
And to address the elephant in the room, Jared Leto (Tron: Ares, Morbius) is surprisingly hilarious as Skeletor. MOTU does not shy away from the villain’s childish behavior and sensitive ego, with him and the campy Evil-Lyn (Allison Brie) creating the movie’s funniest moments.
Imbalanced Humor Will Divide Some Fans
It sounds insane to say that someone made a He-Man film about expressing your feelings and even accepting the need to cry at times, and have that be in the shell of a thrilling blockbuster. Yet, director Travis Knight has proven himself over time with Bumblebee (2018), a heartfelt ‘80s-inspired adaptation, and the stop-motion animated gem Kubo and the Two Strings (2016). The head of Laika Animation was never going to make a dull Masters of the Universe film. With the help of cinematographer Fabian Wagner (Zack Snyder’s Justice League), Knight ensures that no frame is lacking in color. Plus, the action sequences don’t disappoint, as the character’s unique physical traits play a big role in the fight choreography.
Where Masters of the Universe loses its footing is in the aforementioned balancing act of humor. Obvious comparisons to Thor: Ragnarok will be made. Yet, 2011’s Thor comes to mind as well. Like that movie, MOTU (2026) often struggles to decide what kind of comedy it wants to commit to as it establishes the rules of its sci-fi fantasy world and tells an origin story worthy of (hopefully) launching a new series. It eventually finds its sweet spot, luckily. But in the first half, it seems as if it’s throwing all kinds of bits to the wall in an effort to appease all four quadrants. Those parts give off the feeling of a lesser Marvel film.
A Mighty Score For a Mighty Hero
The final piece that completes Masters of the Universe as a genuine ode to ‘80s excess is Spider-Verse and Project Hail Mary composer Daniel Pemberton. Joined by Queen guitarist Brian May, Pemberton’s high-spirited themes and electrifying motifs give MOTU the necessary boost to justify its return to the big screen. Unapologetic guitar riffs and sweeping choruses are just what this movie needed. With all the superb talent involved, it’s no wonder that a goofy phrase like “By the power of Grayskull” could still send tingles down your spine in 2026. If this can make enough money to warrant a sequel, maybe next time there will be enough budget saved to actually feature CG-heavy characters like Battle Cat and Orko.
★ ★ ★ 1/2
‘Masters of the Universe’ hits theaters on June 5!
Release Date: June 5, 2026.
Directed by Travis Knight.
Screenplay by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, & David Callaham
Story by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Alex Litvak, & Michael Finch.
Based on Masters of the Universe by Mattel.
Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, & DeVon Franklin.
Executive Producers: David Bloomfield, Bill Bannerman, & Ynon Kreiz.
Main Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Charlotte Riley, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Kristen Wiig, Sasheer Zamata, Gary Martin, Christian Vunipola, James Wilkinson, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Kojo Attah, Jon Xue Zhang, Sam C. Wilson, Hung Dante Dong, & James Apps.
Cinematographer: Fabian Wagner.
Composer: Daniel Pemberton.
Editor: Paul Rubell.
Production Companies: Mattel Studios & Escape Artists.
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios & Sony Pictures Releasing International.
Runtime: 142 minutes.
Rated PG-13.
