‘Masters Of The Universe’ Review: Nicholas Galitzine Charms His Way Into He-Man Heroics In Amusing New Take On Mattel’s Nostalgic Toys
By Pete Hammond
June 2, 2026
It is a blast back to the ’80s as Hollywood and Mattel take another whack at making Masters of the Universe work as a big-budget fantasy extravaganza.
Since 1982 with the introduction of the massive toy line and action figures, Mattel has milked its Masters of the Universe in every way, including comic strips inserted with all those toys, a few cartoon series including the first go-round from 1983-1985, a feature film starring Dolph Lundgren as the lumbering He-Man in a poorly reviewed 1987 movie, some more stabs at cartoons and a Netflix incarnation among other attempts to keep the franchise alive. Now in the wake of the enormous success of transferring its prize doll Barbie to movie immortality in 2023, we have Mattel’s next play at the box office with a new take on the Masters legacy.
Does it work over four decades later? On its own terms it certainly does thanks to a younger attitude, with genuine humor weaved in and out, plus an appealing star in Nicholas Galitzine who invests his future He-Man with self -deprecating wit and an instant rapport with the target audience of today’s youth — and maybe even a nostalgic blast for their parents who were the first to play with all these action toys.
Travis Knight, best known as the maestro of stop-motion animation producer Laika, as well as films like Coraline and his BAFTA-winning directorial debut of another toon, Kubo and the Two Strings, turns to this spirited new version of MOTU that takes us from here to Eternia, the planet where we first meet young boy Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson Hunt). He is being schooled by faithful Duncan aka Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) in all the proper swordplay and other attributes to be a warrior for the Castle Grayskull presided over by his father, King Randor (James Purefoy), and mother (who actually grew up on Earth), Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley). The evil force of Skeletor (Jared Leto), a bad bad man with no face, brings his minions in and sets off non-stop destruction. After seeing his parents vanquished, young Adam is quickly sent by the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) with his all-powerful sword whirling away to Earth.
This is where we meet Adam (Galitzine), 15 years later, trying to explain to a, uh, skeptical hot date his true origin story, one she naturally thinks qualifies him for the loony bin. Going through all the trials and tribulations of growing up like any other human on Earth, Adam is completely frustrated about losing his sword all those years ago and can’t stop trying to find it, even to the point of threatening his lowly job in the quest.
When he does find it on display in a store all hell breaks loose as a rabid monster is set loose on the streets, and his childhood friend and confidante Teela (Camila Mendes) arrives to take him back to Eternia. After this action-filled encounter he does return to see the burned-out land Skeletor has torched and is now ruling over. Joined by his trusty buddies he actually drew back on Earth — including Fisto (Johannes Haukur Johannesson), Ram Man (Jon Xue Zhang), Tri-Klops (Kojo Attah) and Mekaneck (James Wilkinson), among others — he is now awkwardly trying to find his natural place back at home which has been torn apart. Slowly after coming into contact with a virtual wreck of a man whom he recognizes as Duncan, and teaming with him and the crafty and talented Teela, as well as his talking green tiger Cringer (voiced by Tom Wilton), Adam must find his lost power in order to become a true hero, taking on Skeletor who is desperate to claim the sword as his own.
Once back in Eternia the action ramps up big time, and Knight gets to stage several kick-ass battles. What makes this new visit to the prized if a bit long-in-the-tooth Mattel IP is a tone and script that knows to keep it light and moving. Chris Butler and Adam Nee & Aaron Nee, and Dave Callaham are the credited writers and they keep it all amusing enough, if not earth-shattering. The cast is also right on the money with Galitzine a perfect and perfectly confused Adam/He-Man, and whether on Earth or Eternia he has us rooting for the guy. Mendes is an attractive and lively partner, and Elba really adds gravitas and credibility to this show. Leto, who has done more than a few of these kinds of villainous cartoon characters, brings some scene-stealing sly humor and sharp line readings to his despicable Skeletor with a voice that sounds like a cross between James Earl Jones and Sir Ian McKellen. Alison Brie gets some nice screen time as his faithful assistant Evil-lyn. Look for a brief but welcome cameo from original He-Man Lundgren, who offers some sage advice to Adam in the gym. Kristen Wiig in a voice-over role also melts hearts as the lovable Roboto.
Production values are top notch across the board, with standout work from production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas and a soaring score from Daniel Pemberton, with an assist from Brian May on guitar to help revive the sound of Queen from the 1987 film. Knight makes sure this is a loving return to a property that still provides a good time at the movies, and a reason to stay through the end credits.
Producers are Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner and De Von Franklin.
Title: Masters of the Universe
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Release date: June 5, 2026
Director: Travis Knight
Screenwriters: Chris Butler, Adam Nee & Aaron Nee, and Dave Calliham
Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Charlotte Riley, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Kristen Wiig, Jon Xue Zhang, Johannes Haukur Johannesson
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 2 hr 12 mins