Masters Of The Universe First Reactions Are In

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Masters of the Universe is facing judgment.

Masters of the Universe began as a toy line created by Mattel in 1981 and quickly grew into a massive pop culture phenomenon worth billions of dollars. The story revolves around the ongoing conflict between He-Man and Skeletor, who fight for control of Castle Grayskull on the planet Eternia. Over the years, it has expanded into numerous animated and live-action films and TV shows, including a movie released in 1987—primarily set on Earth—and a new reboot scheduled for 2026.

Early reviews are coming in for the 2026 reboot, and audiences are deciding whether it lives up to the legacy of Masters of the Universe. The film features Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, alongside Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Idris Elba, among others. Given the strong cast and the franchise’s history, these initial reactions are important for rebuilding excitement around the series.

Film and TV journalist Scott Menzel was one of the first to see the new Masters of the Universe movie, and he loved it. He called it “everything this ’80s kid wanted and more,” and enthusiastically shared his positive reaction to the reboot.

As a huge film fan, I have to say this movie is just pure, unadulterated fun! It’s wonderfully over-the-top and kept me entertained from start to finish. Travis Knight really nailed it – he clearly understood what fans wanted from a Masters of the Universe film. Nicholas Galitzine is fantastic as He-Man, and the whole cast just leans into the campiness and seems to be having a blast. Honestly, it might be the most unexpectedly enjoyable movie of the summer – it’s just so much fun!

Perri Nemiroff, a senior host and producer at Collider, called the reboot one of the biggest surprises of 2026. While not a fan of the original growing up, she was completely won over. She admitted the project seemed incredibly difficult to execute, but praised Travis Knight and the team for succeeding. Nemiroff described the film as a vibrant, quirky, and joyful adventure, acknowledging its silliness but emphasizing that it works because everyone involved fully embraced the film’s tone and committed to bringing it to life with enthusiasm.

Andrew J. Salazar, Managing Editor at DiscussingFilm, shared his thoughts on MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, comparing it to the first Thor. He noted the film takes a bit to get going, but once it focuses on themes of vulnerability and ego, it becomes a visually exciting and very enjoyable experience. Salazar also praised Nicholas Galitzine’s performance.

Griffin Schiller, the creator, had a complicated reaction to the Masters of the Universe movie. He felt like it was overly eager to impress him, but he did appreciate certain aspects, particularly Joaquin Leto’s performance as Skeletor.

Everyone working on MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE clearly loves the original cartoon and how it sparked their imaginations. Though it sometimes feels like a product of the early 2010s trend of reviving old properties, the show shines when it leans into the silly, heartfelt, and slightly cheesy qualities that the creators enjoyed as kids. It’s a refreshing reminder that trying too hard to be cool isn’t what matters – embracing your true self and finding strength in vulnerability is genuinely awesome.

Ironically, this movie about letting go and being yourself feels like it’s trying too hard to impress. The humor, which appears frequently, often feels predictable and doesn’t land well. This creates an awkwardness and a sense of insecurity, especially in the first half of the film, making it difficult to truly connect with the story.

Despite any issues with the movie overall, Jared Leto’s portrayal of Skeletor is fantastic. He plays the character as a comically tragic and over-the-top performer, blending the artistic style of Man Ray with the villainy of Dr. Evil. He’s the clear standout, and the film absolutely gets everything right whenever he’s on screen.

Germain Lussier, a senior reporter, had a mixed reaction to the new Masters of the Universe movie. He found the last 20 minutes to be surprisingly fun and enjoyable, but felt the rest of the film was disorganized. While it attempted to balance serious moments with comedy and emotion, it didn’t quite succeed, resulting in an awkward experience overall. He did, however, praise the post-credits scenes.

Comedian and journalist Chris Killian was a big fan of Masters of the Universe, calling it a fantastic and energetic tribute to He-Man. He described it as a heartfelt fantasy/sci-fi adventure and expressed his joy that the movie was made, saying he smiled throughout the entire film.

Film critic Courtney Howard enjoyed the new Masters of the Universe movie, praising its lighthearted and fun nature. She described it as a grand, epic adventure with a self-aware, *Guardians of the Galaxylike tone and a positive message. Howard highlighted strong performances from Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes, and particularly loved the rock score composed by Daniel Pemberton, with a contribution from Brian May. She also recommends staying for the credits.

Screenwriter BJ Colangelo got an early viewing of Masters of the Universe and shared their enthusiastic reaction, saying the movie perfectly captures the fun of the original cartoon and playing with the action figures. They described it as a hilarious and heartwarming adventure, saying it had everything a fan could hope for.

Writer Rachel Leishman was quick to share her initial reaction: this movie is simply fun. She raved about MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, praising Nicholas Galitzine’s charming portrayal of He-Man, which she found to be a refreshing take on masculinity. She emphasized how enjoyable the film is, and even noted the inclusion of The Killers’ song “The Man” as a major plus.

The Nerds of Color podcast team loved the new movie, calling it a perfect and fun throwback to the 80s. They praised its embrace of campy, colorful energy and appreciated its message about masculinity, even if it felt a little direct. One of the team members said watching it felt like enjoying a bowl of sugary cereal!

Film critic Peter Gray’s initial reaction to the movie is that it’s generally family-friendly with a few mildly suggestive moments. He particularly praises Nicholas Galitzine’s performance as He-Man, noting that while he looks the part, it’s his comedic timing that truly shines. The movie embraces its cartoon origins, is filled with 80s nostalgia – especially in its soundtrack – and Jared Leto delivers a wonderfully over-the-top vocal performance as Skeletor.

The new movie, Masters of the Universe, hits theaters on June 5th, and early reviews suggest the actors deliver, but the film’s over-the-top, nostalgic style might not appeal to everyone.

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2026-05-19 17:50