Prime Video’s New Sci-Fi Epic Is Officially Taking Over Streaming

Historically, every good movie releases merchandise and toys for its audience, but once in a while a filmmaker turns their eye towards a toy and gives it the movie treatment. The Transformers franchise is a testament to the concept's longevity and success. The LEGO Movie franchise is another great example of fans’ love for movies based on their favorite toys. In recent years, Greta Gerwig took on Barbie and turned it into a billion-dollar movie competing with the likes of Oppenheimer.

Barbie’s success meant a resurgence of toy-based movies, with Mattel developing its own cinematic universe, and Hasbro and Hot Wheels all preparing for big-screen outings. Among such features is the Nicholas Galitzine-led live-action Masters of the Universe, a sword-and-sorcery epic based on the world-famous Mattel toyline. With Galitzine set as Prince Adam (aka, He-Man), the Masters of the Universe movie debuted in theaters earlier this year, though it failed to recreate the charm of the beloved animated series. The feature has some compelling performers, including Jared Leto as antagonist Skeletor, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Duncan (aka, Man-At-Arms), and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, among others.

Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam, who recovers the legendary Sword of Power after being stranded on Earth for 15 years. He must then return to Eternia to overthrow the tyrannical Skeletor (Leto) and claim his destiny. The campy, self-aware action-adventure divided its critics and fans, who gave it 68% and 86% approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. It further failed to draw the crowd to theaters, grossing $112 million worldwide on an estimated $200 million budget. Nonetheless, the film has found its footing on streaming.

'Masters of the Universe' Has Conquered Streaming

But like many features this year, Masters of the Universe is getting its due on streaming. The movie has been on Prime Video’s top 10 charts since day one of its home release. The feature has spent over 60 days on Prime Video’s Global top 10 lists, as per FlixPatrol. Currently, the feature is at the tenth spot on the streamer’s domestic list, which also includes titles like Lili Reinhart’s The Love Hypothesis, Looking Through Water, The Passenger, Rami Malek’s The Amateur, Gal Gadot’s The Runner, Keanu Reeves’ Good Fortune, and more.