Since You Refused to See It in Theaters, the Really Good He-Man Movie Sets a Streaming Date
Take two.
Since you refused to see it in theaters, the really good Masters of the Universe is finally hitting Prime Video on July 22. That gives you less than a day to clear your schedule. After a disappointing theatrical run, this is everyone’s chance to see if the hype around the movie was real – or if the box office numbers were right all along.
According to Variety, Masters of the Universe, directed by Travis Knight, is the second live-action adaptation of the iconic Mattel franchise that launched in 1982. The original 1987 film starred Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. This new version takes a fresh approach with Nicholas Galitzine stepping into the role of Adam Glenn, aka He-Man.
Jared Leto plays the villainous Skeletor. The cast is rounded out by Camila Mendes as Teela and Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms. The supporting lineup includes Alison Brie, James Purefoy, and Morena Baccarin. The story follows Adam as he’s pulled back to his home planet of Eternia after 15 years away, forced to confront Skeletor’s reign of terror and embrace his destiny as the most powerful man in the universe.
The theatrical performance was, in a word, underwhelming
Masters of the Universe opened on June 5 and managed just $29.3 million domestically in its first weekend, landing in second place behind Scary Movie. Worldwide, it barely crossed $113 million against a reported $200 million production budget. According to Deadline, critical reactions were mixed, with a 67% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences weren’t exactly rushing to theaters either, giving it a B CinemaScore.
That’s not the kind of reception that screams “blockbuster,” but it’s also not a disaster that gets buried forever. Instead, Amazon MGM is giving it a second life on streaming, and that just might be where it belongs.
The 47-day theatrical-to-streaming window is standard these days. However, it’s still a quick turnaround for a movie that cost this much to make. The film spent nearly two decades in development hell, bouncing between studios like Netflix, Warner Bros., and Sony before Amazon MGM finally snapped up the rights earlier this year.
For Galitzine, this is just the latest in a string of high-profile roles
He’s quickly becoming a go-to leading man for streaming hits. Galitzine has already starred in Amazon’s Red, White & Royal Blue and The Idea of You alongside Anne Hathaway. He also appeared in Netflix’s Purple Hearts and Amazon’s Cinderella with Camila Cabello.
If you’re a fan of Red, White & Royal Blue, you’ll be happy to know he’s reprising his role as Prince Harry in the upcoming sequel, Red, White & Royal Wedding. That’s a lot of streaming real estate for one actor, and it’s clear Amazon is betting big on him.
The script for Masters of the Universe went through multiple iterations before landing in its final form. Chris Butler, who wrote the final draft, took over after initial passes by David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee. The story keeps the core of what made the original franchise so beloved – He-Man’s struggle against Skeletor, the power of the Sword of Power, and the battle for Eternia – but it also tries to modernize it for today’s audiences.
Whether that works is up to the viewer, but at least it’s not a lazy cash grab. The visual effects are solid, the action is engaging, and the cast seems to be having fun with their roles.
This is a movie for all fans – new and old
If you’re a fan of the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon or the 1987 movie, this is your chance to see how the franchise has evolved. If you’re new to the world of Eternia, it’s a decent enough introduction, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the animated series.
Not every movie needs to be a theatrical blockbuster. With how streaming is dominating the entertainment landscape, Masters of the Universe could end up being a sleeper hit. The fact that it’s landing on Prime Video on July 22 means you won’t have to wait long to judge. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the action, or just to see Jared Leto chew the scenery as Skeletor, there’s something here for everyone.
If you’re still on the fence, remember – this is your chance to see it without having to leave your couch. So mark your calendars, set a reminder, and get ready to return to Eternia. The most powerful man in the universe is coming to a screen near you. And this time, you don’t have to pay theater prices to see him in action.
(Featured image: Giles Keyte – © 2026 Amazon MGM Studios Content Services LLC)
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