Masters of the Universe

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Masters of the Universe

PG

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.

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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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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Mar 2

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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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

12/13/2023

1/5

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

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Betsy Pisik

Washington Blade

05/24/2022

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.

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Pedro Henrique C

@Pedro2005 1d

Masters of the Universe (1987) It's a really fun movie to watch, and I believe that when it was released, the many fans of the cartoon really enjoyed the film adaptation. We're getting a new version this year, hopefully it'll be fun at least.

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M B

2d

It's a good attempt considering budget constraints and was a fun watch when originally released, for fans of the cartoon.

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Dave L

4d

I don't care what anybody say's, for the time this was amazing for the actual fan's of He-Man. Loved it, got the dvd and have watched it multiple time's. Not to mention an amazing cast whom all absolutely nailed it.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Oct 30

Success in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in 1987 in color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrating 40 years as of: August 07th, 2027!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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xpig332 B

Oct 14

I was too old for the cartoon and that’s probably why I couldn’t get into the movie, it took itself too seriously. For me it might’ve worked as a comedy with Bruce Campbell!

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Mitch B

Jul 5

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.

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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

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