One of my biggest questions for the 2026 movie year has been simply this – how much of a demand is there for a new big screen, live-action movie adaptation of “Masters of the Universe”? The franchise started with a wildly successful 1980s Mattel toy line which inspired an equally popular mid-80s cartoon series which ran for 130 episodes. Over the years there have been several animated revivals that have mostly appealed to a niche audience.

But Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios are betting big on this new iteration, to the tune of a $200 million production budget. In one sense it’s great to see them investing the resources needed for such an undertaking. They certainly bring in a capable director in Travis Knight. And they assemble together a rock-solid ensemble who all seem to know the assignment. The result is an adaptation that captures the spirit of the original material without taking itself too seriously. I just wish they had taken things a little more seriously.

“Masters of the Universe” hearkens back to the days of the sword-and-sorcery movies, and that honestly excited me more than all the IP dressing that came with it. But this is an existing franchise, so naturally it works hard to recreate what fans will undoubtedly expect. And for the most part, it succeeds in doing that. Knight infuses the film with an after-school vibe similar to the original show. It’s silly, action-packed, fantastical, and campy, often all at the same time.

Nicholas Galitzine stars as Adam Glenn, the 25-year-old prince of a faraway world called Eternia who is living in modern-day Oklahoma City. A prologue set fifteen years earlier introduces us to young Adam living in his enchanting home-world of Eternia. There he tries his best to win the acceptance of his overly stern father, King Randor (James Purefoy) while his mother, Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley) basically stands sighing in the background.

But after their palace is attacked and overran by the armies of the evil Skeletor (a wildly entertaining Jared Leto), young Adam is sent away through a portal to Earth, entrusted with the mythical Sword of Power which is his key to one day return home. But Adam loses his grip on the sword and spends the next fifteen years trying to find it. In the meantime he works in a go-nowhere Human Resources company, training for boring seminars while wishing he was back home.

Adam’s life forever changes when he finally finds the sword. He inadvertently reveals his location to Skeletor who sends the ravenous Beastman to Earth to retrieve the sword. But Adam is saved by his childhood friend from Eternia, Teela (Camila Mendes) who gets him and the Sword of Power back to Eternia, which now lies in ruin under Skeletor’s rule. There Adam discovers the sword’s true power when it transforms him into the mighty Champion, He-Man. But will that be enough to save his home world?

A big part of the fun is found in the many side characters from the established universe. Among the heroes are Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), Ram-Man (Jon Xue Zhang), Mekaneck (James Wilkinson), Fisto (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), Roboto (voiced by Kristen Wiig) and Sorceress (Morena Baccarin). Skeletor’s villains include Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), Trap Jaw (Sam C. Wilson), Tri-Klops (Kojo Attah), Spikor (James Apps), Moss Man (Stephen Adentan), and Goat Man (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson). Most exist in the film’s margins, but they’re fun nonetheless.

But there are some issues that creep in early and ultimately keep this very good live-action adaptation from being great. The biggest annoyance is in how far Knight and screenwriters Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callaham ride Prince Adam the oaf. The movie is about the transformation into the heroic Champion of Greyskull. But it spends far too much time on his dimwitted side. There’s also the baffling inclusion of random profanity and groan-worthy sexual innuendo that makes you question what audience they’re vying for.

Those bad choices aside, it’s clear “Masters of the Universe” is built upon a genuine affection for the source material. And while it’s very loyal to the style and tone of its inspiration, it’s also a very accessible for newer audiences. Sadly, Adam’s goofiness never fully goes away, which stands out more when held up next to the exceptional (and more serious) action scenes. Ultimately, Knight and company hit their mark, and fans who hold the source material dear will have a great time. But is there enough to attract a wave of new fans? I guess time will tell.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS