Masters of the Universe review

The 80s cartoon makes a live-action comeback – with great cast, great soundtrack and Jared Leto actually not sucking (I know!)

Directed by: Travis Knight
Written by: Chris Butler, Aaron Nee & Adam Nee
Starring: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Jared Leto
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence/action, some suggestive material, and language
Release Date: June 5, 2026
Runtime: 2:20

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This review may contain spoilers

Masters of the 80s

If you grew up in the 80s (no, not me, I’m not that old), then you probably saw the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon after school. It is basic grounds for classic cartoons: the goofy-ass names, muscular characters in revealing outfits, morals of the story, and, of course, massive toy lines.

There was a 1987 Masters of the Universe movie starring Dolph Lundgren; it was pretty bad. So now, here we are in 2026, with a new remake.

“BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL”

The evil Skeletor (Jared Leto; yes, really) has taken over Eternia. For fifteen years, his army has ravaged the land and forced its people into hiding. However, Skeletor’s quest doesn’t end there. He must have the lost Sword of Power to achieve ultimate power and become a god!

And only one man from Earth can save Eternia – Adam from H.R.

Well, it’s actually Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine, Purple Hearts), who was safely hidden right here on Earth by his parents. Now, Adam must return to his home world, stop Skeletor, and claim the power himself in the skimpiest superhero outfit you ever did see.

Casting of the Masters of the Universe

I haven’t seen Nicholas Galitzine before, but he was great as a bumbling goofball Adam/He-Man. It reflects a lot of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. I just hope for sequel-sake (oh yeah, that is so happening) that he doesn’t stay a goofball the whole time.

Camila Mendes stood out as a war-seasoned Teela, helping Adam/He-Man save the world while kicking ass. If the movie wasn’t focused on He-Man, this could easily have been her carrying the movie.

Also, there’s one of my favorites, Sir Idris Elba as Eternia’s Man-At-Arms. While he’s a bumbling drunk through the middle of the film (didn’t handle Skeletor’s takeover well), he bounces back and goes to being bad-ass for the final battle. He’s definitely handled way better than the Thor films.

Jared SkeLETOr

I gotta give it up to Jared Leto as Skeletor. Wow, was he good in this, and I haven’t said that about Leto in years.

Like many who saw the trailer for Masters of the Universe, I was at first excited seeing how bad-ass Skeletor looked and then groaned at the fact that Jared Leto was somehow playing him. Freakin’ how?! Or, WHY?!!!

Dude doesn’t even do the classic cartoon voice. Myyaaah!

But unlike Morbius or Suicide Squad, Leto was actually great as the blue-skinned warlord. I really loved his Skeletor! He was fun, and he was funny! Are you’re shocked? I’m shocked! I didn’t even know Leto could do humor. This could be the end of the Jared Leto curse!

Skeletor may have lost in the movie (he’s the bad guy, so not a spoiler), but Jared Leto won in the end.

Naming the Masters of the Universe

Despite the movie taking itself seriously (to a point), they don’t stray away from the goofy names that a child would come up with. In fact, that’s exactly how everyone gets their names – they’re how young Prince Adam remembers Eternia while stranded on Earth.

He recounts as many as you can think – Ram-Man, Beast Man, Mekaneck, Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Spikor, and… Fisto. Don’t laugh, he’s really good at “fisting” bad guys; in fact, he loves “fisting” bad guys.

I said stop laughing.

Passing the sword

Speaking of Dolph Lundgren, the big guy gets a cameo in the movie. Not only does he give advice “for the new guy,” he gives Adam a “good journey” send-off, a phrase only used from his 1987 movie.

Again, Earth?

I was gonna gripe about our world somehow connected to He-Man and Eternia, but luckily, the movie doesn’t stay on Earth for long.

They just really wanted to see Beast Man trashing through bumper-to-bumper traffic, didn’t they? I’ll give them points for playing “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes during the scene.

It’s honestly a pet peeve of mine that a fantasy movie can’t just exist in its own world; Earth has to be included needlessly.

This happened in the last movie, too, where the majority of the film was He-Man and team wandering around Earth while Skeletor’s men hunted them down.

“I HAVE THE POWER!”

Masters of the Universe was a great watch in theaters. I didn’t even grow up with the show or the Dolph Lundgren movie, and I still really wanted to see it. It’s a fun action movie with a lot of laughs and keeping true to the cartoons.

Also, a quick shout out to the soundtrack. The movie’s theme has a great sound with elements of my cherished 80s blended in there. Plus, the film sports a handful of classic 80s and 90s songs, which I happily embraced.

There’s a mid-credit scene and a post-credit scene, so expect sequels. One shows Evil-Lynn hatching a scheme, and another hints at a future character – yeah, you know who, she was the only other character not shown.

Masters of the Universe is currently playing in theaters.