Old School. Biblically Independent.
By TK Burton | Film | June 8, 2026
There’s something inherently odd about a film based on a television show that was based on a line of toys. It’s especially odd when it’s a line of toys that came out over 40 years ago. And maybe the oddest thing is that it’s … Masters of the Universe, one of the goofiest, weirdest, and sexually confounding media franchises in toy-to-cartoon history.
Yes, we already had an adaptation - the nostalgically terrible 1987 film of the same that has one of the most bizarre casts ever - Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, and Courtney Cox? Wild. The film flopped for any number of reasons - terrible acting, writing, effects, you name it. So, creating an updated version on the ashes of that particular trainwreck isn’t the worst idea. But it’s definitely a strange idea.
This trend of weirdness continues with 2026’s Masters of the Universe which, much like last month’s not-great Mortal Kombat adaptation, is a surprisingly faithful adaptation. The difference is that here, for reasons that I’m still coming to grips with, the results … work? Perhaps it’s the tonal choices made by director Travis Knight, who has made some genuinely great children’s films (including Bumblebee and one of my favorite movies of 2016, Kubo and the Two Strings) and the writing team — Masters of the Universe is a deeply, intensely unserious film that strives to amuse more than it does to excite. Perhaps it’s the cast, a diverse troupe of actors who heave themselves into these ridiculous roles (and costumes) with all the cheesy, line-devouring, gleeful aplomb that one could want. Or maybe it’s just its bright and charming color palate, a stark contrast with the gloom and doom of many adaptations.
The cast does sell it though - Nicholas Galitzine makes the charming lunkhead Adam aka He-Man affable and sweetly stupid. Camila Mendes is equally entertaining as Teela, and Idris Elba could play the gruff Duncan/Man-At-Arms in his sleep. Jared Leto is fine as the villainous yet also bumbling Skeletor, even if it’s absolutely stunt casting - you never see his face, he uses a British accent, and the voice is changed electronically so really, anyone could’ve done it. If there’s anyone that’s out of place, it’s Allison Brie as the evil sorceress Evil-Lyn… Brie is a capable enough actress but she’s the only one who genuinely seems like at any moment she’s going to blurt out “what the f**k am I doing here?” Lastly, there’s an army of solid supporting actors playing increasingly ridiculous roles - James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, and more.
The faithful yet inventive script mostly does what it needs to, while also borrowing heavily (and unapologetically) from its contemporaries. There are traces of Thor: Ragnarok, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings peppered into the story liberally. It’s straightforward fantasy fare - chosen ones, lost kingdoms, evil kings, missing parents, daddy issues, you name it, it’s jammed into the film’s two-plus hour runtime.
Masters of the Universe is a children’s film at heart, and whether that is a literal child, or your own inner one, it’s got enough going for us to find its brand of chaotic wackiness surprisingly entertaining. Its greatest obstacle will be itself - is He-Man culturally relevant enough to appeal to anyone beyond the 40- to 50-something nostalgia seekers (ahem) and the kiddos? It’s hard to say, though opening weekend numbers haven’t been great. Regardless, it’s just the right kind of bright, uncomplicated, goofy entertainment for a Saturday afternoon when you need a distraction.
