Masters of the Universe

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Masters of the Universe

PG

1987

1h 45m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

31 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.

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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

07/11/2014

2.5/4

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.

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

07/11/2014

1/4

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.

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

07/11/2014

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

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Jun 10

It's a mess, but a beloved mess.

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Peter McPhee

Winnipeg Sun

Jun 8

It is an expensive, exceptionally well crafted film that has every penny up there on the screen, but it is still a flop for anyone over 10.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

03/02/2025

3/10

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.

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Landon C.

@GoodJourney 6d

Wow! Dolph IS He-Man! Some great sci fi and swords from the 80’s. They did a great job with what they were able to accomplish. Frank Langella is a legendary 1st on-screen Skeletor. Stay for the after-credit scene!

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Jos Rafael J

@RT18406077 6d

AINDA E A MELHOR VERSAO PRA MIM

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Johnny L

@RT08292713 Jun 14

Somehow watchable sc+fi movie from 80s, too bad there's Dolph Ludrdude. Meanwhile as a masters of the universe movie is awful unwatchable joke.

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Jason L

@transce Jun 12

A disgrace. A slap in the face to every fan. This film completely disregards all of the source material, choosing instead to create a nonsensical plot about Skeletor invading Earth. It would take paragraphs to list all of the problems in this movie. Suffice it to say that this movie was so bad that it would end up being 30-ish years before anyone would try making a He-Man live action film again.

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Satu Y

@Popkulttuuria Jun 9

Satu tiiraa 📺 suoratoistoilta leffoja 2026 : se aiempi Masters of the Universe jossa He-Manina toimii kiiltävän hikinen blondi viikinki Dolph Lundgren. Skyshowtimeltä mutta myynnissä myös mm Blockbusterissa. Kökköä kerrakseen mutta Meg Fosterin upeat upeat upeat hurjat silmät ja katse saavat olla kuten ovatkin, eikä himmennetä kuten joissakin tylsissä draamoissa Ionisoi! 06.06.2026

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Donald R

@RT79791344 Jun 8

This is a fun adaptation of the popular Toys and Show. It suffers from Production issues and some questionable filmaker's choices; i.e., Skeletor make up choices, certain unpolished effects shots. It still has a good plot, obstacles, motivations, pacing, backstory, etc., but it does have to have some passes for what it is. Apparently Masters of the Universe movies are planned with huge visions which need additional films to realize. Nevertheless, for an 80s film of restricted budget, it hits many marks and makes an admirable attempt at being a classy, while quite serious, take on the Masters of the Universe franchise.

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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