Masters of the Universe Described as a ‘Sister Film to the First Thor’ in Thrilling Early Reactions

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Nearly four decades after the original film was released in 1987, Amazon is debuting a new live-action adaptation. The movie premiered globally and will be available to watch on June 5th.

The new Masters of the Universe movie has been planned on and off since 2007, and its production faced many delays. Now, it’s finally nearing release, and early reactions are starting to come in. Some viewers have compared it favorably to the first Thor film.

What Is the First Reaction to Masters of the Universe?

Andrew J. Salazar from Discussing Film is excited about the new adventure reboot, calling it similar in spirit to . While the movie takes a little while to get going, it really shines once it focuses on themes of vulnerability in men and dealing with pride. Salazar says it becomes a very enjoyable and visually impressive experience, and particularly praises Nicholas Galitzine’s performance.

I recently heard about this movie and Polygon‘s Jake Kleinman really hyped it up – he actually called it “shockingly good!” He loved everything about it – the action was great, it was genuinely funny, and it had a lot of heart. Plus, apparently Skeletor is a total standout. Sounds like a must-see!

Griffin Shiller from Film Speak offered a similar take, saying he reluctantly admits Skeletor is “very, very good” in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. He felt both Skeletor and Evil-Lyn were standouts, essentially carrying the show. Shiller also commended the creators for their clear and enthusiastic love of the original material.

According to Scott Menzel of the Astra Awards, the new movie is a dream come true for anyone who grew up in the ’80s. He describes it as wonderfully over-the-top, incredibly fun, and consistently exciting from start to finish.

According to Perri Nemiroff of Collider, Masters of the Universe is shaping up to be a standout film of 2026. She describes it as a delightfully over-the-top and energetic adventure, noting that its silliness works because everyone involved clearly understands and embraces the film’s wild spirit.

Germain Lussier from io9 described the movie as a bit of a mess overall, but noted that the last 20 minutes were surprisingly fun and enjoyable.

What Happens in Masters of the Universe?

Amazon MGM Studios brought back the Masters of the Universe franchise with a new movie, following up on the 1987 film. This latest installment sees Prince Adam return to his home world, Eternia, after 15 years away, to protect it and the universe from the villain Skeletor.

Okay, let’s talk casting for this new film. Nicholas Galitzine steps into the role of Prince Adam, transforming into He-Man, and he’s joined by a really strong ensemble. Camila Mendes is taking on Teela, and I’m particularly intrigued to see Jared Leto as Skeletor – that could be amazing or… something else! Idris Elba is perfectly cast as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn and Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress round out a seriously impressive lineup. Travis Knight is directing, working from a screenplay by Aaron and Adam Nee, Chris Butler, and David Callaham. It’s a lot of talent both in front of and behind the camera, and I’m definitely curious to see how it all comes together.

Masters of the Universe premieres in theaters on June 5.

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2026-05-19 18:15