Coming off the huge success of Project Hail Mary, Amazon/MGM is hoping for another hit with Masters of the Universe, which arrives this Friday with mixed reviews praising its visuals and nostalgic appeal while raising concerns about its story and pacing.
Directed by Travis Knight, the sci-fi adventure Masters of the Universe is currently tracking for an opening weekend of around $25M-$30M despite its reported $200 million budget. By comparison, the recently released sci-fi epic “The Mandalorian and Grogu ”, directed by Jon Favreau, debuted with $81 million against a $165 million production budget and struggled to meet box-office expectations. If the projections for Masters of the Universe prove accurate, it could rank among the weakest openings ever.
Adding to the challenge, Masters of the Universe faces strong competition at the box office. Scary Movie 6 is projected to open near the $50 million mark, while last weekend’s release, Backrooms, is expected to earn more than $30 million. Meanwhile, Obsession could see a rare fourth-weekend boost, with projections exceeding $27 million, making the marketplace especially crowded for a blockbuster of this scale.
Mattel’s beloved franchise makes a comeback after the 1987 film, with Nicholas Galitzine stepping in as Prince Adam—better known as He‑Man. He’s joined by a star‑packed cast including Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Alison Brie as evil-lyn, James Purefoy, James Wilkinson as Mekaneck, Kristen Wiig, Morena Baccarin, and Idris Elba.
The film has received a mixed critical response, which may be affecting audience interest. It currently holds a score of 51 on Metacritic, indicating divided reviews from critics, while its 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests a more favorable—though not overwhelmingly positive—reception.
The film is scheduled to release on June 5, 2026, with production handled by Amazon MGM Studios, Escape Artists, Mattel Studios, and Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer (MGM).
