Masters of the Universe

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Masters of the Universe

PG

Released Aug 7, 1987

1h 45m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

21%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When the evil Skeletor (Frank Langella) finds a mysterious power called the Cosmic Key, he becomes nearly invincible. However, courageous warrior He-Man (Dolph Lundgren) locates inventor Gwildor (Billy Barty), who created the Key and has another version of it. During a battle, one of the Keys is transported to Earth, where it is found by teenagers Julie (Courteney Cox) and Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill). Now both He-Man and Skeletor's forces arrive on Earth searching for the potent weapon.

Critics Consensus

Masters of the Universe is a slapdash adaptation of the He-Man mythos that can't overcome its cynical lack of raison d'etre, no matter how admirably Frank Langella throws himself into the role of Skeletor.

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Johanna Steinmetz

Chicago Tribune

Everyone knows how the battles will turn out. It`s what's between them that raises Masters Of The Universe ever so slightly above the mediocre.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 11, 2014

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

With Masters of the Universe -- the latest numbskull entertainment from the creators of Castle Greyskull -- He-Man makes the transition from animation to live action. Taking a live actor along for the ride might have helped.

Rated: 1/4

Jul 11, 2014

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

A misfiring, underdone epic that takes its inspiration not from life or literature, but from a toy line and the cartoon series it inspired.

Jul 11, 2014

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Perhaps the biggest fault to this picture is Lundgren’s casting; he certainly looks the part, but he brings nothing to the table when it comes to acting.

Rated: 3/10

Mar 2, 2025

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a derivative, mad splice of Back to the Future prom anxiety and Terminator’s time-jumps, with added 80’s garnish…

Rated: 1/5

Dec 13, 2023

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Betsy Pisik

Washington Blade

Sure, Masters of the Universe is a movie based on a TV series that was developed to sell war toys to children, but it's a whole lot more: This is pyro-technical submerged sexuality at its intergalactic best.

May 24, 2022

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Mitch B

I love this movie and actually prefer it over the television show. It's dark and Frank Langella shines as Skeletor, but I wish He-man had had more of a presence and I wish there had been more added. But, to me, this is still a solid movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

D3Z 1

I'm not entirely sure what exactly the Masters of the Universe is trying to convey. The plot as well as its action sequences were dull and forgettable and its titular hero or even its characters did not really seem to get much shine and share anything memorable.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

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Michael D L

A movie that is decent at times the series is better and more Iconic

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Ultimo P

This was an instant cult classic. Everything anyone could want for 80's cheese. Skeletor was magnificent stealing the show and who could not admire Evil-Lyn. I haven't laughed this much in decades

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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Greg M

This is 80's gold. Frank killed it as Skeletor. Courtney Cox killed it as a naive 80's teen, and Dolph killed it as He-Man. I pray the remake lives up to this classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

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Luis Otavio F

Masters of the Universe offers good moments, the makeup is very well done, but it doesn't last for long.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

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Gary Goddard

Director

Dolph Lundgren

He-Man

Frank Langella

Skeletor

Meg Foster

Evil-Lyn

Courteney Cox

Julie Winston

James Tolkan

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Synopsis

When the evil Skeletor (Frank Langella) finds a mysterious power called the Cosmic Key, he becomes nearly invincible. However, courageous warrior He-Man (Dolph Lundgren) locates inventor Gwildor (Billy Barty), who created the Key and has another version of it. During a battle, one of the Keys is transported to Earth, where it is found by teenagers Julie (Courteney Cox) and Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill). Now both He-Man and Skeletor's forces arrive on Earth searching for the potent weapon.

Director: Gary Goddard
Producer: Yoram Globus, Menahem Golan
Screenwriter: David Odell
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Cannon Films
Production Co: Cannon Group, Edward R. Pressman Film Corp., Golan-Globus
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.3M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround