Masters of the Universe – He-Man, Film & Collectibles
A film that failed in cinemas and became number one on streaming within six weeks. Here is exactly what happened, who the characters are, and what is worth collecting.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
The 2026 film – two lives
The new Masters of the Universe opened on 5 June 2026, directed by Travis Knight – of Bumblebee.
Nicholas Galitzine plays Prince Adam and Jared Leto plays Skeletor, alongside Idris Elba, Morena Baccarin and Kristen Wiig. Brian May of Queen contributed to the score.
At the box office: a failure
It took roughly $113 million worldwide against a total cost of around $170 million. Reviews were good – audiences simply did not go to cinemas.
On streaming: first place
On 23 July 2026 it arrived on Prime Video and immediately became the platform's number one film – in the United States, the UK, Germany, Italy and elsewhere.
Why this matters: the audience did find it – just at home. And that happened a few weeks ago, not in June. Demand for merchandise effectively began now.
Toys first, story second
Like Transformers, Masters of the Universe began as a toy line. Mattel launched it in 1982.
The cartoon followed a year later, in 1983 – made largely to sell the figures.
The original figures had distinctively muscular builds and action features – waists that twisted, punching mechanisms, moving parts. They were among the first lines to make the figure itself do something.
The characters
The protagonist. Two forms, one character – the prince transforms with the Power Sword.
Purple hood, a skull for a face. One of the most recognisable villains of the eighties.
The red-haired warrior, captain of the guard.
Duncan – armourer and mentor, with the signature moustache.
The green tiger in red armour – He-Man's mount.
Not a character but the universe's most iconic object – and one of the most sought-after toys ever made.
Who actually buys it
This is where Masters of the Universe differs from almost everything else in the shop.
The audience is not children. It is people in their forties and fifties who grew up with the eighties cartoon and collected the original figures.
That also explains the film's trajectory: this age group does not readily go to the cinema, but watches happily at home. Hence the theatrical failure and the streaming triumph.
In practice: the products that sell here are collectibles, not toys – display figures, reproductions of the original designs, and anything that recalls 1982.
What is worth collecting
- Collector figures: modern lines with high detail, aimed at adults.
- 1982-style reproductions: figures in the original style – pure nostalgia.
- Funko POP: He-Man, Skeletor and the rest.
- Apparel & posters: with the classic eighties artwork.
- Gifts: mugs, keyrings, metal signs.
Frequently asked questions
- How did the 2026 film perform?
- In cinemas it failed – roughly $113 million against a $170 million cost. On Prime Video, however, from 23 July 2026, it became the platform's number one film in many countries. Reviews had been good from the start.
- Who plays Skeletor?
- Jared Leto. He-Man is played by Nicholas Galitzine, with Idris Elba, Morena Baccarin and Kristen Wiig also in the cast. Brian May of Queen contributed to the score.
- Is it for children or adults?
- Mainly adults. The Masters of the Universe audience is the generation that grew up with the eighties cartoon – now in their forties and fifties. The products are largely collectibles.
- When did the franchise begin?
- As a Mattel toy line in 1982. The cartoon followed in 1983 – made largely to sell the figures.
- Where can I find He-Man collectibles in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
