--- title: "Masters of the Universe: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe" critics_score: 61 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Masters of the Universe (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 61 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews split widely, and the split is about tone. Most critics agree on what the film is: a bright, self-aware reboot that keeps winking at how silly He-Man is, with Nicholas Galitzine playing him as a sweet, slightly bewildered dork rather than a strongman. The praise clusters there, on Galitzine’s performance, on Travis Knight’s colourful production and staging, and on the villains, with Skeletor named more than once as the best thing in it. The reservations cluster on the joking. A large minority find the constant apologising for its own corniness exhausting, and several say the script cannot decide whether it is parody or earnest adventure. The 141-minute runtime is a recurring complaint. Polygon is the outlier at the top, calling it close to a perfect fantasy adventure; The Wrap and The Telegraph sit at the bottom, treating it as an embarrassed misfire. The British broadsheets are noticeably harsher than the American trades. ## Time Out — Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Rating 4/5. 2 June 2026. The critic praises this colorful, nostalgic reboot as a fun, irreverent fantasy adventure that captures the cartoon's joyful spirit and offers a timely antidote to toxic masculinity. Travis Knight's direction is singled out for bringing bright energy and heart to the material. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/masters-of-the-universe-review-2026) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating C+. 2 June 2026. The critic calls it a fitfully amusing redo that clears a low bar set by the 1987 version but remains too cute and inconsistent. Skeletor stands out as the weird highlight amid the self-conscious jokes and toy-loving sincerity. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/masters-of-the-universe) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 3/5. 2 June 2026. The review finds the film starts with promise in its day-glo fantasy setup and cast performances but ultimately lacks the spark to elevate it beyond standard blockbuster fare. Tonal inconsistencies and an overlong, uneven script are highlighted as drawbacks. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/masters-of-the-universe-review/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2026. The review portrays the film as a derivative fantasy epic that gives He-Man the Barbie treatment, emphasizing big muscles over heart while still celebrating them. It highlights the lead's performance as a swole himbo in a story that struggles to balance sincerity and satire. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/masters-of-the-universe-movie-review-2026-he-man-1235197748/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2026. The critic finds the film exhaustingly jokey and forced in its self-referential humor, making it mainly appealing to hardcore fans rather than a broad audience. The relentless camp and lame gags undermine any genuine engagement with the material. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/masters-of-the-universe-review-nicholas-galitzine-he-man-1236610786/) ## Empire — Helen O’Hara 2 June 2026. Travis Knight takes a winking approach to the self-aware source material and leans into its ridiculousness in a way that largely works. The result is a colourful, fun chase movie that appeals to kids and nostalgic adults alike, though it could use sharper scripting and more narrative drive. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/masters-of-the-universe-2026/) ## Evening Standard — Hannah Pettit 4 June 2026. Nicholas Galitzine embodies a modern, sensitive version of He-Man in this light-hearted, self-aware reboot that updates the character with a toxic-masculinity-averse approach. Action sequences thrill but feel generic, humour sometimes undercuts emotional beats, and the film struggles to stand out among other reboots despite its charisma and spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/masters-of-the-universe-review-nicholas-galitzine-he-man-b1284794.html) ## Financial Times — Raphael Abraham 4 June 2026. The critic finds the film embarrassed by its own premise of muscles and male heroism, constantly apologising for its existence through innuendo and self-satire. It singles out the thin sticking plasters of humour that eventually wear thin. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/aa859dab-1958-4de6-9368-4ade071b4550) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson 3 June 2026. The critic praises Knight and Galitzine for modernizing the macho character into a sensitive, self-aware comedy about masculinity, with Galitzine embracing the dorky human side. The flat script and obvious humor are noted as drawbacks amid the fan service and effects. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-06-03/masters-of-universe-review-nicholas-galitzine-camila-mendes-jared-leto-idris-elba) ## Screen Daily 2 June 2026. The critic notes the film's playful, self-deprecating approach to its source material and Knight's attempt to add humanity to franchise fare, but concludes it fails to sustain its charm over the extended runtime. The mix of irreverence and conventional action is seen as hit-or-miss. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/masters-of-the-universe-review-nicholas-galitzine-wields-the-sword-of-power-in-irreverent-conventional-actioner/5217328.article) ## The Guardian 2 June 2026. The critic calls the film a weak big-budget misfire and a $200m waste of time on outdated toy IP. The main complaint is the script's crippling indecision between winking parody and earnest adventure, resulting in an awkward, unfulfilling experience. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/02/masters-of-the-universe-amazon-he-man-movie-review) ## The New York Times — Glenn Kenny 4 June 2026. The critic sees the film as a self-aware corporate blockbuster that acknowledges the goofiness of He-Man and benefits from a sincere yet skewed approach. Galitzine delivers in the action sequences after a loose, amusing performance as the mild-mannered hero. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/movies/masters-of-the-universe-review.html) ## The Telegraph 2 June 2026. The critic describes the reboot as a brain-vaporising misfire that constantly tells viewers how right they are not to enjoy it. It singles out the constant self-aware jokes about its own corniness and datedness as the central flaw. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/masters-of-the-universe-he-man-review/) ## The Times 2 June 2026. The critic examines the attempt to update the He-Man property for modern audiences with added gay innuendo, questioning whether it can succeed like Barbie. The tone mixes irreverence with the challenges of retooling the 1980s toy franchise. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/masters-of-the-universe-review-he-man-is-back-with-added-gay-innuendo-p6qg8ldl9) ## Variety — Guy Lodge 2 June 2026. The critic finds the film a jokey but bloated nostalgia trip that lampshades its own uncoolness without fully committing, feeling past its time at 141 minutes. Galitzine provides spark as the bewildered hero, but the script's mix of earnestness and irony falters in the extended action. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/masters-of-the-universe-review-1236764691/) ## Polygon — Jake Kleinman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2026. The critic hails the film as a nearly perfect sci-fi fantasy epic that looks stunning and rejects the dark, grounded style of modern blockbusters. They single out the vibrant, colorful visuals and sincere maximalist spectacle for praise. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/masters-of-the-universe-review-he-man-skeletor/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2026. The critic finds the film works on its own terms with a younger attitude, genuine humor, and an appealing performance from Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man. They single out the light and moving tone and script, along with strong production values and battles staged by director Travis Knight. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/06/masters-of-the-universe-review-nicholas-galitzine-mattel-1236938461/) ## Consequence Rating B. 2 June 2026. The critic praises the film's decision to embrace a silly, campy, and self-aware tone rather than taking the material too seriously. They single out the goofy approach to the iconic costume and characters as a highlight that makes the adventure fun. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2026/06/masters-of-the-universe-review-he-man/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3/5. 2 June 2026. The film attempts to blend a nostalgic 1980s kids' adventure with self-aware postmodern comedy but struggles with tonal dissonance, resulting in a confused mix that undercuts its emotional beats. It succeeds more with the villains, particularly Jared Leto's Skeletor and Alison Brie's Evil-Lyn, than with its hero's journey or attempts at deeper themes. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/masters-of-the-universe-review-cute-kids-movie-barbie/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2026. The critic calls it a confused and embarrassed sci-fi fantasy flop that is sloppy and could kill 1980s nostalgia. They complain about the inconsistent message on violence, cheap-looking effects despite expense, and smug self-awareness that embarrasses the source material. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/masters-of-the-universe-2026-review-nicholas-galitzine-he-man/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md