Prime Video's Masters of the Universe Is Officially Losing Its Chart-Topping Status

Sometimes movies that stumble at the box office can find a new audience. That appears to be the case with one of Amazon MGM Studios' most prominent releases of the summer movie season, which enjoyed a long string of streaming success. Now, however, it seems to be faltering nearly two months after it arrived on Prime Video.

Earlier this year, Masters of the Universe debuted in theaters to solid reviews but disappointing box office. Based on the Mattel toy, cartoon, and comic book franchise of the 1980s, the film was directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) after a lengthy development process. It failed to capture the zeitgeist the way previous toy-based blockbusters Barbie and Transformers did; unlike those toy lines, Masters of the Universe has struggled to maintain relevance with later generations of kids after its Reagan-era heyday. Still, the movie has drawn impressive streaming ratings on home video.

Now, Masters of the Universe has slipped from the lofty heights it previously occupied. It has fallen off the streaming top ten on Prime Video, but remains at #7 on the service's top ten movies. Even so, the film has had a successful streaming run; it was released on the service on July 22, meaning it has spent the better part of two months in the top ten. Will that be enough to secure the sequel teased in its closing credits? Only time will tell.

What Is 'Masters of the Universe' About?

The film stars Nicholas Galitzine as Adam, the heir to the throne of the techno-magical planet Eternia. Exiled to Earth as a child after the evil sorcerer Skeletor (Jared Leto) conquered the planet, he is drawn back into the conflict years later by the warrior Teela (Camila Mendes) and her father, the stalwart Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba). Adam calls upon the power of Castle Grayskull to become the mighty He-Man, but will that be enough to stop Skeletor, his wicked witch Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), and their evil warriors? The film also sets up a sequel via a credits stinger scene, teasing the existence of Adam's secret twin sister Adora; she calls upon similar powers on the planet Etheria to become the stalwart She-Ra, Princess of Power.