Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- earnest
- colorful
- nostalgic movie night
- cult film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as derivative, underdeveloped, and tonally uneven, while often singling out Frank Langella's committed Skeletor performance and its camp appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
He-Man, Skeletor's forces, and the Cosmic Key move the action between Eternia and Earth.
Frank Langella plays Skeletor as an imposing, grandly performed antagonist at the center of the film's appeal.
The film adapts He-Man characters, powers, costumes, and the Cosmic Key from the Masters of the Universe toy and animated franchise.
Gwildor's comic presence and the film's corny humor sit alongside swordplay, superpowers, and space-fantasy stakes.
Films like Masters of the Universe, and why
Conan the Destroyer
shared sword-and-sorcery fantasy, colorful superheroics, campy spectacle, and a villainous overlord
The Last Starfighter
shared toy-driven fantasy adventure, exaggerated villains, portal-like science-fiction elements, and 1980s camp
Flash Gordon
shared science-fiction fantasy action, heroic archetypes, practical effects, and broad comic-book energy
Krull
shared fantasy action, magical power struggles, irreverent humor, and cult 1980s tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Gary Goddard
- Release Date
- 1987-08-07
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (1179)
Cast
- Dolph Lundgren
- Frank Langella
- Billy Barty
- Jon Cypher
- Courteney Cox
- James Tolkan
- Chelsea Field
- Robert Duncan McNeill
- Christina Pickles
- Meg Foster
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, History Vault
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Masters of the Universe about?
- He-Man battles Skeletor across Eternia and Earth in a colorful, campy 1980s toy-inspired fantasy adventure.
- What is Masters of the Universe like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Masters of the Universe as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Masters of the Universe violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Masters of the Universe as moderate.
- What did critics think of Masters of the Universe?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as derivative, underdeveloped, and tonally uneven, while often singling out Frank Langella's committed Skeletor performance and its camp appeal.
- Which films are like Masters of the Universe?
- Films with a similar feel include Conan the Destroyer, The Last Starfighter, Flash Gordon, and Krull.
- How long is Masters of the Universe?
- Masters of the Universe runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Masters of the Universe?
- In United States, Masters of the Universe streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, History Vault.
