He-Man is a major part of pop culture history. Starting with his popular 1980s cartoon, he became incredibly well-known, inspiring tons of toys and other products, and his famous transformation catchphrase is still remembered today. Now, a new live-action Masters of the Universe movie is about to bring his story to the big screen again.
The show was popular for many reasons. It uniquely combined fantasy and science fiction, offering something different from other programs. He-Man was a likable hero, and Skeletor was the perfect villain – clearly motivated and simply evil.
That’s actually a strength, and it’s one of the reasons the world of He-Man is so fun. If the new Masters of the Universe trailer has you eager to return to Prince Adam’s world, Eternia, here are some great adventure movies to watch in the meantime.
10. Masters of the Universe (1987)
The 1987 film Masters of the Universe isn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it does offer a unique vision of the franchise, featuring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man.
Viewers familiar with the series will quickly pick up on the movie’s much more serious and intense atmosphere. The story begins with the forces of evil nearly victorious, and the film has a memorable, rough, and retro feel reminiscent of 1980s science fiction.
Dolph Lundgren’s He-Man is a bit more intense than previous versions, but Frank Langella truly shines as Skeletor, making the film enjoyable even if you’re not entirely on board with how the story unfolds.
Langella is captivating as Skeletor and truly shines in every scene. His performance makes Masters of the Universe worth watching on its own.
9. Stardust (2007)
You might be surprised to find Stardust on a list for He-Man fans, but it’s a fantastic fantasy adventure film. It features a great cast and has a simple, engaging story.
Tristan (Charlie Cox) sets off on a quest to find a fallen star to win the heart of his beloved. But his plans get complicated when he realizes the star is actually a living woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes), and he’s not the only one searching for her.
The story kicks off a thrilling adventure, sending two characters on a journey through a magical and imaginative world while being pursued by powerful enemies. “Stardust” is a truly special fantasy film that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, which explains why it’s earned such a dedicated fanbase.
8. Krull (1983)
Unlike Masters of the Universe, Krull doesn’t have a powerfully built hero. But Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) is a likable lead, and the film’s interesting mix of fantasy and science fiction makes it worth watching.
In the movie Krull, the planet Krull is under attack by a terrifying creature called ‘The Beast’ and its forces. Prince Colwyn sets out on a dangerous journey to find a powerful, ancient weapon that could save his world.
The hero faces many dangers on his quest, but he’s not alone – he has a team, including someone who can use magic. The fight scenes are exciting because the villains use futuristic laser guns, while our heroes fight with traditional fantasy weapons like swords and bows. Even today, the action sequences are impressive because the filmmakers used real effects instead of relying heavily on computer graphics.
7. Willow (1988)
Willow is an exciting adventure film filled with magic, mythical creatures, and a determined sorceress who’s willing to do anything to get what she wants.
Willow, played by Warwick Davis, is a humble farmer whose life changes when he finds an extraordinary baby carried down a river. He then sets off on a grand adventure, stepping far outside his normal life, to protect the child.
Throughout his journey, Willow gains several helpful companions, such as Madmartigan (played by Val Kilmer), a highly skilled fighter with a sword. Although the characters are new and different from those in He-Man, the story itself is a classic battle between good and evil.
This movie is full of magic and exciting sword fights, and features a delightfully evil villain, Queen Bavmorda, brought to life by Jean Marsh.
6. Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Let’s be realistic – no actor could perfectly replicate He-Man’s incredibly muscular build. But Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan in the 1982 film came pretty close.
Conan the Barbarian is a raw and exciting fantasy adventure, filled with memorable sword fights and magic. The story follows Conan, who watches his parents die when he’s young and grows up to become a skilled warrior. Driven by a desire for revenge, he sets out on a dangerous journey with the help of his friends.
I absolutely love this movie! It’s a simple story, but Basil Poledouris’ music just takes it to another level – it’s truly epic. The sword fights aren’t flashy like you see today, but they feel so much more raw and believable. It’s definitely a bit more serious and moody than the cartoon, but it still feels like a classic adventure that holds up beautifully.
5. The Scorpion King (2002)
The Scorpion King is an entertaining prequel to the popular Mummy films, showing how the Scorpion King first gained his power.
Dwayne Johnson plays Mathayus, a strong and talented warrior from Akkad. He’s given the job of eliminating a sorceress (Kelly Hu) who has the power to foresee the results of any fight. This sorceress is assisting the cruel general Memnon (Steven Brand) in taking over the kingdom, but their plans are disrupted when Mathayus enters the picture.
The action in The Scorpion King is more fun and less serious than in many similar movies, feeling closer in style to the He-Man TV series. Dwayne Johnson plays a charming hero on a grand adventure, though it doesn’t focus as much on magic or witchcraft.
4. Highlander (1986)
Highlander is a beloved action-adventure film featuring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, an immortal warrior. He must battle a powerful enemy called the Kurgan to prevent him from becoming unstoppable.
The movie Highlander shares several similarities with the 1987 film Masters of the Universe. Both feature villains who revel in their wickedness, and both stories bring their heroes to modern-day Earth. While Highlander isn’t as focused on science fiction, it does have a unique and interesting mythology.
While not as physically imposing as He-Man, MacLeod is a skilled and powerful fighter, and his battle with the Kurgan features what many consider to be one of the greatest sword fights in fantasy film history.
3. Red Sonja (1985)
Red Sonja is a lot like He-Man – a highly skilled fighter, especially with a sword. After the ruthless Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) murders her parents and attempts to kill her, Sonja (Brigitte Nielsen) is saved by a divine force and embarks on a quest for revenge.
Red Sonja isn’t a complex story, which is part of what makes it so enjoyable. The movie also uses a lot of real, physical effects – something common in films from the 80s – and that’s why the action still looks good today.
Red Sonja is a pure fantasy film, so don’t expect any science fiction. While some parts look a bit old-fashioned now, it’s still a fun adventure movie, especially with its exciting final battle.
2. Flash Gordon (1980)
Most of the films on this list transport viewers to fantastical worlds. Like Masters of the Universe, Flash Gordon is a classic adventure, but with a science fiction twist.
When a spaceship crashes to Earth from the planet Mongo, scientists learn that its emperor, the ruthless Ming (played by Max von Sydow), intends to wipe out humanity. They turn to Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones), a skilled football player, hoping he can defeat the Emperor on Mongo itself.
The movie starts with a silly idea that quickly leads to a fun adventure on a bizarre planet. Flash teams up with some new friends on Mongo, and the film establishes its playful spirit with a funny scene where he uses his football abilities to fight.
1. Kull The Conqueror (1997)
He-Man was incredibly popular in the 1980s, but by the 90s, kids were watching different adventure shows, such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
If you enjoyed He-Man and Kevin Sorbo’s performance as a strong hero, you’ll likely enjoy the 1997 film Kull the Conqueror. Similar to He-Man, Kull is a powerful warrior who journeys from his homeland to find a legendary weapon. He needs this weapon to defeat Akivasha (played by Tia Carrere), a very old and evil sorceress who cannot be killed by normal means.
Similar to other films in this collection, Kull the Conqueror is a fantasy story and doesn’t have the science fiction aspects of Masters of the Universe. Despite this, the characters share clear similarities, and many feel Kull doesn’t get the credit it deserves, especially when compared to Conan.
Kull the Conqueror features plenty of witty lines, and Sorbo delivers a fun performance as a hero that viewers who like Hercules and He-Man are sure to appreciate.
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2026-04-02 23:02