Masters of the Universe offers existing fans and newcomers an opportunity to visit Eternia in theaters for the first time in almost forty years. The movie offers a polished, stylish adventure story and blends it with the show’s unique combination of sci-fi and fantasy.
The movie had the unenviable task of pleasing fans of the existing lore and casual moviegoers alike. Critical reception is mixed, but we thoroughly enjoyed Masters of the Universe thanks to its strong cast and humor.
Nicholas Galitzine stars as Adam alongside Idris Elba as Duncan and Camila Mendes as Teela. Jared Leto also plays a brilliant Skeletor. The iconic villain is overdramatic and theatrical in the show, and Leto captures those mannerisms without reducing the character to just comic relief.
One of the greatest strengths of Masters of the Universe is its remarkable blend of sci-fi and fantasy, which we don’t often see elsewhere. The movie is also genuinely funny while maintaining high stakes and even some emotional moments.
We could be waiting a while for a Masters of the Universe 2 if we even get one at all, and it’s surprisingly difficult to find similar titles. That said, some films do capture elements that make Masters of the Universe such a fun watch. Whether you’re after a modern blockbuster with stylish fight scenes or a classic 80s adventure movie, there’s certainly some worthy options available after checking out 2026’s Masters of the Universe.
10
Masters Of The Universe (1987)
If you’re a newcomer to He-Man, you may be surprised to learn that another film called Masters of the Universe already exists. It’s another He-Man movie, starring Dolph Lundgren as the legendary hero of Eternia.
There are a few similarities between the 1987 and 2026 movies, considering that Earth is important to both movies’ stories, which is unusual for a He-Man adventure. Skeletor (Frank Langella) conquers Castle Grayskull, forcing our heroes to rally on Earth before returning to Eternia to face the might of their powerful adversary.
The 1987 Masters of the Universe drastically differs in tone from the 2026 movie at times, and if you love the new title, you won’t necessarily feel the same about the old one. That said, the movie feels like a unique curiosity, and it can be fun to compare the two films.
9
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Masters of the Universe is laugh-out-loud funny at times, but still has palpable stakes and a tense story. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves may be strictly a fantasy film, but it has a similar vibe to Masters of the Universe with a charismatic cast.
The movie stars Chris Pine as Edgin. He’s a bard on a quest to retrieve a powerful magical artifact. He can’t do it alone, so Edgin assembles a motley team, not dissimilar to a D&D party, to help. Their journey is fraught with danger, and our heroes quickly realize a powerful sorceress, Sofina (Daisy Head), is pulling the strings.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is tonally similar to Masters of the Universe and a great choice if you’re looking for a polished, lighthearted fantasy adventure.
8
Highlander (1986)
Highlander is a beloved contemporary fantasy film with elements of science fiction. It stars Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod. He’s an immortal warrior who must defeat the Kurgan to stop him from gaining unimaginable power.
While MacLeod isn’t as physically imposing as He-Man, he is incredibly strong because he cannot die by conventional means. The only way to defeat an immortal is by removing their head, which is why MacLeod and the Kurgan are both adept with a sword.
Highlander wades into dark fantasy territory, exploring the grim reality of living forever. Still, there are plenty of witty, lighthearted exchanges between the characters and some great fantasy sword fights that still hold up today.
7
Disney’s Hercules (1997)
Fans of Disney movies will note many similarities between the stories of Masters of the Universe and Hercules. The Disney movie is also a great choice for a younger audience, as some titles on this list are unsuitable for kids.
Much like Adam in Masters of the Universe, Hercules never quite fits in on Earth. He has powers beyond mortal reckoning and is desperate to prove himself and become a hero so he can return to Mount Olympus. However, Hades hatches a nefarious plan to conquer the realm of the gods, and only Hercules can stop him. Like Skeletor, Hades isn’t afraid to throw a spanner in the works to put our hero on the back foot.
Hercules may be an animated story, but it has plenty in common with Masters of the Universe, with many jokes that will land with a multigenerational audience.
6
Thor (2011)
Several Marvel movies could have made the list, but Thor’s plight in his first movie is especially similar to Masters of the Universe and Adam’s quest to return to Eternia.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is banished to Earth from Asgard. He’s in a strange place where he knows he does not belong and must prove himself worthy of wielding his legendary hammer, Mjölnir. He cannot survive on Earth alone and teams up with Jane (Natalie Portman), who assists him.
Thor tells a brilliant coming-of-age story in which our protagonist learns that there’s more to being a hero than just combat strength. The movie also features an all-star cast, including Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Anthony Hopkins as Odin.
5
Kull: The Conqueror (1997)
Kull: The Conqueror stars Kevin Sorbo as Kull, a mighty warrior. He embarks on a high-fantasy adventure to find a mythical weapon that can defeat the ancient, undead sorceress, Akivasha (Tia Carrere).
Fans of 90s adventure shows will immediately be familiar with Sorbo as he played the starring role in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Kull: The Conqueror does not include any sci-fi elements like Masters of the Universe, but both feature a strong hero on an epic quest.
Kull: The Conqueror is also quite light on humor compared to other movies on this list, but the fantasy adventure with a burly hero filled with swords and magic makes it an easy recommendation.
4
Mortal Kombat II (2026)
The story of Mortal Kombat II is quite different from that of Masters of the Universe. However, both movies feature many laugh-out-loud moments and intense fights as our heroes face a powerful evil.
That evil Mortal Kombat II is the mighty Shao Khan (Martyn Ford). He leads the forces of Outworld in a tournament against our own Earthrealm. If the Earthrealm’s fighters lose, Outworld can invade, ending life as we know it.
The stakes are high, and Mortal Kombat II introduces Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) to the story. He’s a surprisingly great fighter, but he’s also seeing so many things for the first time, and his reactions are hilarious. If you adore Masters of the Universe for its humor and polished combat, you’ll find a lot to love in Mortal Kombat II.
3
The Scorpion King (2002)
The Scorpion King stars Dwayne Johnson as Mathayus. He’s a muscular Akkadian assassin on a quest to kill a sorceress (Kelly Hu), who is aiding Memnon (Steven Brand), a powerful warlord.
Mathayus’ world is turned upside down when the sorceress saves his life, and the pair join forces against a greater evil. It’s a serious tale, but Johnson is a charismatic hero who relishes a savage one-liner.
The Scorpion King offers audiences an intense historical fantasy adventure with brilliant fight scenes and some welcome lighthearted moments. It’s a spin-off of The Mummy movies and tells a fun, straightforward story that stands on its own merit.
2
Krull (1983)
Krull is an underrated 80s adventure movie and one of the few that successfully blends sci-fi and fantasy elements into its story. Our heroes are on a grand adventure to save their planet from otherworldly invaders.
The planet in question is called Krull and is under siege by a horrific monster called the Beast and its Slayers. It’s up to Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) and his friends to retrieve a powerful magical weapon capable of turning the tide of battle.
The inhabitants of Krull use weapons you’d expect from a fantasy movie, while the Slayers use futuristic tools, like laser blasters. The movie may be over 40 years old, but it has aged remarkably well thanks to its reliance on practical effects. Krull may lack a burly hero, but it features an epic adventure fans of Masters of the Universe will appreciate.
1
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
It may seem a little cheeky for us to include two Thor movies on the list, but Thor: Ragnarok specifically contains so many similar elements to Masters of the Universe that we have to include it.
Both movies feature a blend of sci-fi, high fantasy, gorgeous visuals, and humor. Ragnarok tells the story of Thor battling Hela (Cate Blanchett), his deadliest adversary yet. Blanchett plays a wonderfully evil villain, with such incredible power that even the audience is unsure how Thor can possibly defeat her.
The story has some dark elements, but is balanced out by witty dialogue and plenty of funny moments. Thor: Ragnarok is also jam-packed with fan-favorite characters, including Hulk and Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster. The movie is a direct continuation of Thor’s story, but it is such a remarkable title that it stands on its own even if you’re unfamiliar with the characters.