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Masters of the Universe

Play trailer Poster for Masters of the Universe PG Released Aug 7, 1987 1h 45m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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.
Masters of the Universe

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Clinton T This movie has great actors and I love he man and skeletor in this movie the costumes look real and you can't tell if it's costumes are not and it goes between worlds perfectly I saw it when I was seven years old and I thought it was better than Star Wars.... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Radio O By the owner of greyskull One of the best fantasy movies ever Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Masters of the Universe

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Cast & Crew

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Gary Goddard

Director

Dolph Lundgren

He-Man

Frank Langella

Skeletor

Meg Foster

Evil-Lyn

Courteney Cox

Julie Winston

James Tolkan

Detective Lubic

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Masters of the Universe

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Movie Info

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