Masters of the Universe film gets mixed reviews, dubbed most average summer movie

The 2026 "Masters of the Universe" reboot earned a middling 5/10 rating from critics. Reviewers praised the film’s upbeat take on masculinity, its embrace of campy aesthetics, and the solid performances of leads Nicholas Galitzine, Idris Elba and Jared Leto. They also noted the movie’s origins in prolonged development hell, with a script pieced together from drafts dating back to 2010 and 2018 under director Travis Knight of Laika.

Critics faulted the lack of believable psychology, inconsistent humor and a running length that feels past its prime. Early reactions were unusually positive, but later reviews turned more mixed as expectations shifted. The film leans heavily on nostalgic meme culture, featuring jokes about characters such as “Fisto” and a limited role for Teela, described as a “beard” for the hero Adam. Overall, reviewers conclude the movie is watchable but unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

Both reviews highlight that while the talent and production quality are competent, the final product stands as a largely forgettable, average summer release.