Live‑action Masters of the Universe film earns strong critic scores amid fan skepticism

The 2026 American live‑action adaptation of the Mattel franchise, Masters of the Universe, directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine as He‑Man, opened to a 75% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its action, humor and fantasy world, with IGN giving it 8/10 and describing it as "funnier than I expected."

However, long‑time fans remain cautious. The same critics who praised the new film also lauded Kevin Smith's 2021 Netflix series Masters of the Universe: Revelation, which received 95% critic acclaim but only a 52% audience score. Viewers accused the series of a "bait‑and‑switch" for focusing heavily on Teela and downplaying He‑Man and Skeletor. Similar concerns have resurfaced for the film, with some fans questioning the emphasis on modern themes such as "toxic masculinity" in promotional interviews. The ultimate test, observers note, will be the audience reaction once the movie is released.