Masters of the Universe 2026 Review: Nicholas Galitzine's He-Man Is Surprisingly Great — But the Film Isn't Without Its Flaws

Masters of the Universe 2026: Does He-Man Finally Have the Power?

If you told me in 2024 that a Masters of the Universe movie would actually be good, I would have laughed you out of the room. The 1987 Dolph Lundgren version is, well... let's just say it exists. But director Travis Knight (yes, the guy behind Kubo and the Two Strings and the live-action Bumblebee) has done something remarkable with the 2026 Masters of the Universe reboot — and it's hitting theaters this weekend.

What Works: Galitzine, Elba, and Surprisingly Good Action

Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue, Starzinger) steps into the iconic red trunks as Prince Adam / He-Man, and honestly? He's great. Galitzine brings a grounded sincerity to the character that makes the transformation from bumbling prince to muscle-bound hero feel earned rather than ridiculous. It helps that the script gives him actual character development instead of just yelling "I have the power!" every five minutes.

Idris Elba voices Man-At-Arms (yes, he's a CGI character, and yes, it works), bringing that signature gravitas that makes every role feel important. Alicia Silverstone takes on the role of Teela with a sharp, witty energy that makes her the film's secret weapon — she has some of the best lines and the most satisfying action sequences.

The action choreography deserves real credit too. Travis Knight clearly learned from his work on Bumblebee, grounding the fantasy combat in physical weight and impact. When He-Man swings the Power Sword, it actually feels powerful. The climactic battle on Castle Grayskull is genuinely thrilling and stands as one of the better fantasy action set pieces of 2026 so far.

Where It Stumbles: Tone and Villain Problems

Here's where things get tricky. Skeletor — arguably the greatest villain in toy history — still doesn't quite land the way he should. The filmmakers clearly want to make him menacing, but the script keeps undercutting the menace with unnecessary comic relief. There's a moment where Skeletor monologues about his grand plan and it feels like a Saturday morning cartoon script snuck into a blockbuster movie.

The tonal whiplash between earnest character moments and goofy one-liners is the film's biggest weakness. Guardians of the Galaxy proved you can balance humor and heart — Masters of the Universe wants to do the same but doesn't always nail the balance. Some scenes that should be epic are sabotaged by a quip that arrives half a second too early.

There's also the matter of the supporting cast. While Galitzine and Elba carry the film well, characters like Battle Cat (CGI, of course) and Evil-Lyn feel underdeveloped. They exist to serve the plot rather than feeling like fully realized characters.

The Bottom Line

So, should you see Masters of the Universe in theaters? If you're a fan of the franchise, the answer is an easy yes. For everyone else, it's a solid popcorn flick — not quite on the level of this year's Thunderbolts* or the upcoming Toy Story 5, but definitely better than most toy-to-movie adaptations we've endured. Think of it as Bumblebee meets Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, with more muscle and more magic.

It won't dethrone Avengers: Doomsday or make you forget about Stranger Things 5, but Masters of the Universe is proof that sometimes nostalgia, handled with care, can still deliver a fun time at the movies. And honestly? In 2026's crowded blockbuster landscape, that's something to celebrate.

Masters of the Universe opens in theaters on June 6, 2026. Directed by Travis Knight. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Idris Elba, and Alicia Silverstone.