The trailer for the new Masters of the Universe series did surprisingly well on YouTube, significantly outperforming the trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The trailer for Masters of the Universe quickly became a hit, exceeding 16 million views in just two days (and now over 24 million). In comparison, the Star Wars trailer has only reached around 10 million views after being online for four months. This big difference has sparked discussion about how popular older franchises are, and whether fans are losing interest in brands that once seemed incredibly popular.
This is so embarrassing
— Aldo 💛❤️💙 (@ThatWeirdoAldo) January 24, 2026
The trailer for Masters of the Universe has received 18,000 dislikes on YouTube, while the first Star Wars theatrical release in years has a much higher 55,000 dislikes.
As a lifelong movie fan, it feels a little crazy even comparing the two. Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon, and Disney really knows how to promote it – their YouTube channel has a huge following, way more than the one Amazon MGM Studios is using for Masters of the Universe. It’s just a massive difference in scale and recognition.
And yet, despite that built-in advantage, the numbers tell a different story.
A Stunning Reversal of Expectations
For many years, Star Wars has been far more culturally significant than Masters of the Universe. While He-Man is fondly remembered, it’s mostly seen as a product of the 1980s, with occasional attempts to bring it back through cartoons or live-action projects that haven’t really taken off.
Considering everything happening now, the comparison between Masters of the Universe and Star Wars is particularly noteworthy. The trailer for He-Man didn’t just do well – it actually got over twice as much attention as the trailer for a new Star Wars movie featuring two of its most popular current characters.
What’s really striking is how quickly the Masters of the Universe trailer gained views – it happened in just a few days, which suggests people were genuinely interested, not that the views built up slowly through algorithms. In contrast, the The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer hasn’t seen much change in views, even after being available for months and with a well-known brand.
Franchise Fatigue vs. Novelty
One reason for the changing reception of Star Wars is simply that audiences have seen so much of it. For over ten years, it’s been everywhere – in movies, on streaming, in cartoons, as toys, and even at theme parks. What used to feel special and exciting has, for many, become commonplace, especially after some recent projects didn’t live up to expectations.
Interestingly, Masters of the Universe feels surprisingly fresh. Even though it’s been around for a while, it hasn’t been overdone in today’s entertainment world. The trailer focuses on classic hero themes, clear goals, and impressive visuals, but doesn’t try to radically change or dissect the original. For many viewers, this comforting familiarity might be exactly what makes it appealing.
When comparing Masters of the Universe and Star Wars, being new isn’t the same as being truly original. Sometimes, it just means holding back or being less extravagant.
Streaming Origins and Audience Erosion
Another challenge is the existing context. The Mandalorian and Grogu continues a Disney+ series that has reportedly lost viewers. Although Grogu is still a popular character for Disney, simply being well-known doesn’t guarantee ongoing interest, particularly if audiences believe the best parts of the story are already behind them.
The underwhelming reaction to the trailer might suggest a growing doubt about whether new Star Wars movies can still create the same excitement as before, especially since they’re now so connected to stories also told on streaming services.
Not Just Star Wars Feeling the Pressure
The impact isn’t limited to Lucasfilm. Recent Marvel trailers, including those for Avengers: Doomsday, haven’t performed as well in terms of views as the trailer for Masters of the Universe, even though Marvel spent much more on marketing. While how movies are released and previewed matters, this trend suggests that even big franchises can’t automatically count on audiences being excited anymore.
Considering this, comparing Masters of the Universe to Star Wars isn’t really about which franchise is better. It’s more about how audiences are reacting to content owned by Disney.
What Comes Next
Just because a trailer is popular doesn’t mean a movie will be successful. How well a film does on its opening weekend is what really matters. The Mandalorian and Grogu is still planned to come out in theaters before Masters of the Universe, which could give it a chance to build more excitement.
Even though it’s early days, the initial response is striking. The fact that He-Man is generating more buzz right now than Star Wars hints that viewers might be reconsidering what they expect from large-scale franchise entertainment.
Okay, I have to admit, I’m genuinely surprised. After seeing Masters of the Universe, I’m left wondering if we’re witnessing a real shift in the blockbuster landscape, or just a fleeting moment. But right now, the impossible has happened: this film has made a stronger first impression on me than the latest Star Wars installment. I never thought I’d say that!
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2026-01-26 16:58