Masters of the Universe (2026) Review: He-Man Returns With Heart and a Great Score

By the power of Grayskull! I did not expect a live-action “Masters of the Universe” to send me straight back to the living room floor of my childhood, surrounded by plastic action figures, but that is exactly what Travis Knight’s film did. It is funny, warm, beautifully scored, and made with obvious love for Eternia. It is also a film that really works for all ages, which is rare these days. It gets 9 out of 10 from me.

“Masters of the Universe” (also released as “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” in some territories) is directed by Travis Knight and was released by Amazon MGM Studios in U.S. theaters on June 5, 2026. It has been streaming on Prime Video since July 22, 2026. It is the second live-action film based on the Mattel franchise after the 1987 movie with Dolph Lundgren, who pops up in a fun cameo here. Here’s my full breakdown across our five categories (2 points maximum each).

What Is Masters of the Universe About?

Spoiler-light: As a boy, Prince Adam was sent from his home planet Eternia to Earth for his protection after the evil sorcerer Skeletor attacked the capital city of Eternos. Fifteen years later, Adam is an ordinary man on Earth who has never stopped looking for the Sword of Power he lost. When it finally resurfaces, it pulls him back into a fight he left behind, together with his childhood friend Teela and a group of warriors who are not exactly thrilled to see him.

It is a classic hero’s journey with a fish-out-of-water twist, and the film is smart enough to have fun with it.

Masters of the Universe Story – 1.5/2

Good Points: Heart, Humor, and a Hero Who Has to Grow

Funny and Never Too Serious
The film knows exactly how silly and wonderful its source material is, and it plays with it instead of apologizing for it. The humor works, the jokes land, and it never makes fun of the material in a way that would hurt a fan. At the same time, the emotional beats, especially the ones around Adam’s two homes and his family, have real weight.

Good Pacing and a Satisfying Adventure
The adventure moves from Earth to Eternia, from small-scale comedy to a big finale, and I enjoyed all of it. The story is easy to follow for newcomers and full of details for fans, which is the best of both worlds.

The Small Deduction
The story follows a familiar chosen-one structure. It is told well, but you can see many of the beats coming, which is why it gets 1.5 out of 2 from me.

Masters of the Universe Cast – 2/2

Special Praise: A Very Strong Cast

Adam, Teela and their allies in Eternia in Masters of the Universe (Picture Source: Masters of the Universe / Amazon MGM Studios)

Galitzine, Mendes, and Elba
Nicholas Galitzine is a charming He-Man who is believable both as the awkward man from Earth and as the hero, Camila Mendes gives Teela strength and humor, and Idris Elba brings his usual presence as Duncan, the Man-At-Arms. Together they carry the film.

Jared Leto as Skeletor
Jared Leto has openly wanted this role, according to director Travis Knight, and it shows. His Skeletor is menacing and theatrical at the same time. Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, and Kristen Wiig, who voices the robot Roboto, round out a cast that has no weak link.

Skeletor and his forces in Masters of the Universe (Picture Source: Masters of the Universe / Amazon MGM Studios)

The Leonardo DiCaprio Moment
Now for the part that is purely personal. I owned many of these action figures as a kid, and every time a character showed up whose figure had sat on my shelf, I was basically the pointing Leonardo DiCaprio meme from “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Finger out, huge grin, whispering “that’s the one I had!” at the screen. If you grew up with Eternia, you will know exactly what I mean.

Masters of the Universe World – 2/2

Good Points: Eternia Looks and Feels Great

A Setting With Character
Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas and the team built a world that mixes fantasy, science fiction, and a little bit of 1980s toy-aisle charm. The city of Eternos was inspired by real-world walled cities in Italy, medieval castles in Wales, and Wells Cathedral in Somerset, and that grounding gives the fantasy a real sense of place. Principal photography took place in and around London, including Sky Studios Elstree, with additional locations such as Wells Cathedral and Wookey Hole Caves.

Castle Grayskull in Masters of the Universe (Picture Source: Masters of the Universe / Amazon MGM Studios)

Details Fans Will Love
Heroic Warriors like Fisto, Ram-Man, and Mekaneck, and Skeletor’s crew with Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, and Beast Man, all make an appearance, and the film has fun with the original names and designs. The worldbuilding works for both fans and newcomers.

Music Score and Effects – 2/2

Special Praise: The Soundtrack

Pemberton, Brian May, and The Darkness
The soundtrack is the thing I want to praise the most. Daniel Pemberton, who also scored the Spider-Verse films, composed the score together with Queen guitarist Brian May, and the result is big, heroic, and full of adventure. The Darkness released the title theme “Masters of the Universe” in May, and “The Legend of Eternia” by Pemberton, May, and The Darkness followed as a separate release in August. The film also uses songs like “Princes of the Universe” by Queen and “The Power” by Snap!, and they are used exactly where they should be.

Effects That Serve the Adventure
The film has 2,180 visual effects shots, created by studios including ILM, DNEG, Rodeo FX, and Cinesite. The creatures, Cringer, the robot Roboto, and the transformation into He-Man all look good and feel like part of the world, and the final battle has the scale it needs.

Originality – 1.5/2

How It Stands Apart / Uniqueness

This is a franchise film built on a decades-old property, and you can feel the familiar hero structure. What sets it apart is its tone: an affectionate, self-aware adventure that mixes comedy and sincerity, and that sends its hero through an Earth-based first act that gives a familiar story a fresh angle.

It is a lovingly made, original-feeling take on a classic, but not a completely new idea, so it gets 1.5 out of 2.

What’s Next After Masters of the Universe?

As of this writing, no sequel has been officially announced. Director Travis Knight has said that these decisions are out of his control, but that he would be delighted to continue if the studio asks. The film did not make its budget back in theaters, but it spent five weeks as the number one movie on Prime Video. A post-credits scene hints at where the story could go, and it points toward She-Ra (mild spoiler for the very end).

If you want more of that Eternian spirit, the film is available on Prime Video, and I would not be surprised if more Masters of the Universe news follows.

Gamersuniverse Score:

9 out of 10 stars⭐

Category	Points	Verdict
Story	1.5/2	Funny, warm, and well told, but built on a familiar hero’s journey.
Cast	2/2	A very strong ensemble from Galitzine to Leto, Elba, and Mendes.
World	2/2	Eternia is a great setting with plenty of love for the source material.
Music Score and Effects	2/2	The soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton and Brian May is the highlight.
Originality	1.5/2	A fresh tone and a fun Earth-based first act on a classic formula.
Total	9/10	A warm, funny, great-sounding adventure for all ages.

Masters of the Universe is a nostalgic, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt adventure that works for all ages. The cast is very strong, the setting and worldbuilding are great, and the soundtrack in particular deserves special praise.

For me, it was also a trip back to my childhood, with a lot of pointing-at-the-screen moments. If you grew up with He-Man, or if you just want a fun fantasy adventure with a big heart, it is well worth your time.

Score Summary

• Story: 1.5/2
• Cast: 2/2
• World: 2/2
• Music Score and Effects: 2/2
• Originality: 1.5/2
  Total: 9/10

Who Is Masters of the Universe For?

• Fans who grew up with He-Man and want a loving, nostalgic return to Eternia.
• Families looking for a funny, warm adventure for all ages (the film is rated PG-13).
• Fantasy and sci-fi fans who enjoy colorful worldbuilding and a great soundtrack.
• Maybe skip it if you want a dark, serious fantasy epic: this film is playful and does not take itself too seriously.

Which He-Man character did you own as a kid? Tell us in the comments, and let us know if you also did the pointing meme.

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Pictures: Official press stills from Masters of the Universe / Amazon MGM Studios.