Masters of the Universe (2026) | Film Review

By the Power of Grayskull, Masters of the Universe has the power!!! I cannot believe this movie was as fun as it was, and Jared Leto has somehow redeemed himself from Morbius with his stellar performance as Skeletor. But here we are, basking in that 80s glow.

And that really is the key to why this movie works. For decades, Masters of the Universe has occupied a strange place in pop culture. It was a phenomenon built on toys, cartoons, comic books, and larger-than-life characters that seemed almost impossible to translate into a modern blockbuster without losing what made it special. Somehow, against all odds, this adaptation manages to embrace the colorful insanity of the source material while also delivering a genuinely entertaining adventure that feels relevant for today’s audiences.

He-Man, Teela, Battle Cat, Master-At-Arms, Sorceress, Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw, and Skeletor – the gang you grew up with from those 80s toys and cartoons are all here. Hell, even Dolph Lundgren gets a cameo.

Idris Elba brings a surprising amount of gravitas to Duncan, better known as Man-At-Arms, making him far more than the wise mentor archetype. Alison Brie embraces the cunning and ambition of Evil-Lyn without turning her into a one-note villain, while the Sorceress is portrayed with the mystical presence longtime fans would hope for. Even characters like Trap Jaw are given enough personality to stand out rather than simply serving as background nostalgia bait.

The plot is simple: Skeletor eviscerates Eternia and Prince Adam / He-Man (Nicholas Galitzine) escapes to Earth. Once he finds his precious Sword of Power, Adam collects his friends and decides to thwart Skeletor’s deathly grip on Eternia.

Simple does not mean ineffective. In fact, one of the movie’s greatest strengths is that it never overcomplicates itself. This is a classic good-versus-evil fantasy adventure, and Travis Knight wisely leans into that structure. The film moves at a brisk pace, balancing action, humor, and character development without getting bogged down in excessive mythology dumps. There is plenty of lore for longtime fans to appreciate, but newcomers can easily jump aboard and understand the stakes.

Director Travis Knight just gets this property, all of it. He respects the lore and has affection for the cheesiness, but also modernizes it by demonstrating you need brains and heart to match that 80s machismo and brawn. Also, a lot of humor – this movie is funny, in that early MCU kinda way, where the movie knows when to wink.

Knight’s direction also shines during the action sequences. Eternia feels massive and lived-in, with sprawling landscapes, imposing castles, and battlefields that finally give fans a sense of scale they have wanted for years. The practical elements blend nicely with the visual effects, creating a world that feels tangible rather than entirely computer generated. More importantly, every action sequence serves character and story first, spectacle second.

Galitzine grows into his role, evolving into the He-Man we know and love, while Idris Elba throws a few layers on Man-At-Arms. Of the heroes, though, Camila Mendes as Teela was the highlight. Formidable, strong, charismatic, she’s the real deal. Give her a spin-off.

What makes Mendes so effective is that Teela never feels like she is borrowing someone else’s spotlight. She earns every heroic moment. Her chemistry with Galitzine gives the film an emotional core, and she consistently commands attention whenever she is on screen. If Mattel and the studio are serious about expanding this universe, Teela feels like the obvious candidate to lead future adventures.

But the highlight, shocking as it was, is Jared Leto as Skeletor. The character’s writing crossed with Leto’s delivery is so sharp and on-point, the character leaps out of the cartoon and into film history. Just a brilliant performance of a ridiculously difficult character (and actor by many accounts). The balancing act is remarkable.

Skeletor is inherently absurd: a blue-skinned sorcerer with a floating skull for a face who constantly delivers grandiose threats. Yet Leto never plays him as a joke. He finds the menace, arrogance, intelligence, and occasional dark humor that make Skeletor one of animation’s most iconic villains. Every scene with him crackles with energy. He feels dangerous, unpredictable, and strangely relatable all at once.

The score by Daniel Pemberton deserves recognition as well, echoing the heroic fantasy soundtracks of the 1980s while giving the film its own identity. Combined with the production design and costumes, it creates an experience that feels like a love letter to fans without becoming trapped in nostalgia.

All-in-all, He’s the Man, and Masters of the Universe is a FANtastic time at the movies for the entire family, plus a great set-up for future films.

This is the kind of crowd-pleasing blockbuster that reminds you why these properties endure. It respects where it came from, understands what fans love, and delivers enough heart, humor, and adventure to create a new generation of Eternia devotees. Whether you grew up clutching a He-Man action figure or are discovering these characters for the first time, Masters of the Universe delivers exactly what its title promises: heroes, villains, magic, monsters, and one heck of a good time.

Till we meet again…

Masters of the Universe releases in theaters June 5, 2026
Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto
Screenplay by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Dave Callaham
Directed by Travis Knight