Masters of the Universe finds a surprising second life on Prime Video

A costly trip back to Eternia struggled at the cinema, but Masters of the Universe is now performing strongly as a global streaming release. The $175 million live-action He-Man film ranks among Prime Video’s biggest movies worldwide, according to FlixPatrol.

That turnaround is another reminder that familiar characters can have a long commercial life beyond their original release window. Nostalgia has recently powered major successes including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which became the first film of 2026 to pass $1 billion worldwide. Other established properties also remain in development, including Matchbox: The Movie starring John Cena, The Legend of Zelda, another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film and G.I. Joe: Ever Vigilant.

Even Dungeons & Dragons, a tabletop institution closely associated with 1980s popular culture, has enjoyed renewed attention. However, a recognisable name alone is no guarantee of a box-office win.

What is Masters of the Universe about?

Directed by Travis Knight, the film updates the core He-Man story as a large-scale modern fantasy adventure. Nicholas Galitzine plays Prince Adam, who is forced to escape Eternia as a child after Skeletor, portrayed by Jared Leto, captures the kingdom.

Adam spends years on Earth, separated from the destiny awaiting him. His return begins when he recovers the Sword of Power. Back in Eternia, he accepts his identity as He-Man and joins the battle against Skeletor to reclaim his lost home.

The film did not become a major theatrical success, although its reviews were generally favourable. It holds a 67% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 86% audience score.

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Could there be a Masters of the Universe sequel?

A sequel appears difficult to justify from the film’s cinema performance alone. Its streaming results, however, give the property a more encouraging future. Masters of the Universe recorded 1.17 billion minutes watched during its first week on Prime Video, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

That level of viewing could keep the door open for more Eternia stories. Amazon has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, so the streamer is familiar with expensive fantasy productions. For now, though, no sequel is confirmed.

Travis Knight’s next project is Wildwood. Meanwhile, He-Man’s streaming performance suggests that a franchise more than four decades old can still attract a substantial audience.

Why the streaming result matters

The film’s reception shows how theatrical disappointment and streaming success can coexist. A character that once dominated toy aisles and Saturday-morning cartoons may find a new audience when viewers can discover the film at home.

That pattern is familiar across retro gaming, where established characters continue to draw interest on modern hardware. If you are comparing formats for a home setup, the arcade machine buying guide covers the key choices, while bartop arcades offer a compact option for smaller Australian homes.

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