Expert Review Roundup
What critics are saying about Masters of the Universe (2026)
Masters of the Universe, the new He-Man reboot, has drawn a mixed-to-positive response from critics. Review coverage showed the film opening with a Rotten Tomatoes score in the mid-70s before settling around 69% after more than 150 critic reviews, suggesting that early enthusiasm was tempered by later, more divided reactions. Forbes | The Hollywood Reporter | Forbes
Many reviewers praised the film’s retro tone, playful humor, action scenes, and Jared Leto’s performance as Skeletor, while harsher critics argued that the movie suffers from tonal confusion, excessive self-awareness, and blockbuster bloat. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial
Key critic highlights
| Critic | Source | Rating | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Shannon Miller | Consequence (quoted by Forbes) | Fresh | Preferred the film’s whimsical side and said it captures the joy of playing with toys. |
| Donald Clarke | Irish Times (quoted by Forbes) | Fresh | Praised the gloriously retro neon aesthetic and self-aware humor. |
| Helen O’Hara | Empire (via Rotten Tomatoes Editorial) | Fresh | Called it a delightfully whimsical film for a wonderfully silly franchise. |
| Erik Kain | Forbes | Positive | Called it a shockingly great action movie with some of the best action around. |
| Frank Scheck | The Hollywood Reporter | Negative | Said the movie feels contrived and resembles a parody too often. |
| Benjamin Lee | The Guardian | Negative | Called it a weak big-budget misfire and questioned why so much money was spent on it. |
| Amy Nicholson | Los Angeles Times (quoted by DK Network) | Positive | Said Jared Leto gives the best performance he has delivered in years as Skeletor. |
Expert reviews by critic
Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Liz Shannon Miller was positive on the film’s lighter side, arguing that when the movie chooses silliness over seriousness, it becomes much more enjoyable. She said the film at least strives to be entertaining and compared that feeling to the fun of playing with toys, which helps explain why some critics found the movie’s campy tone charming rather than embarrassing. Read source
Donald Clarke, Irish Times
Donald Clarke praised the movie as a lively blend of bold animated-series visuals and sharp, self-aware humor. He highlighted the gloriously retro neon look and suggested the film walks a clever line between absurdity and sincerity, giving supporters of the reboot a strong argument that it understands the franchise’s weird appeal. Read source
Helen O’Hara, Empire
Helen O’Hara described Masters of the Universe as a delightfully whimsical film for a wonderfully silly franchise. At the same time, she noted that it could have used sharper dialogue and more momentum, making her review a good example of the broader critical pattern: many reviewers liked the spirit of the movie even when they found flaws in the writing. Read source
Erik Kain, Forbes
Erik Kain was among the film’s strongest champions, calling it a shockingly great action movie with some of the best action currently in theaters. He also praised the cast and encouraged viewers to see it on the biggest screen possible, suggesting that even skeptics may be surprised by how well the spectacle works. Read source
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
Frank Scheck offered a much harsher take, arguing that the movie often feels like an offbeat parody instead of a fully convincing fantasy adventure. He said it checks boxes for fans and includes sequel-teasing material, but he also felt the whole thing comes off as too calculated and too contrived. Read source
Benjamin Lee, The Guardian
Benjamin Lee of The Guardian was one of the most negative voices, calling the film a weak big-budget misfire and questioning the purpose of a $200 million adaptation of this toy property. His criticism focused on confusing tone, uncertain performances, and a lack of compelling reason for the movie to exist at such a giant scale. Read source
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times
Amy Nicholson’s standout observation was aimed at Jared Leto, saying his performance as Skeletor is the best he has delivered in years. That praise lines up with several other reactions that singled out Skeletor as one of the most entertaining parts of the movie, even among critics who were less enthusiastic about the film as a whole. Read source
Critical consensus and audience reaction
Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial summary says critics found that the live-action movie embraces the original’s campy spirit with humor and surprising sincerity, even if the jokes and storytelling do not always land. Separate reporting also noted that the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score slipped from the mid-70s to 69% as more reviews were added, showing that the movie remained divisive once the first wave of reactions passed. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial | Forbes
Audience response has been much warmer, with Forbes reporting an 88% audience score at the same point critics had the movie at 69%. That split suggests Masters of the Universe may work better for fans looking for colorful nostalgia, camp, and spectacle than for critics hoping for a tighter or more original blockbuster. Forbes
