TODAY’S PAPER | June 22, 2026 | EPAPER

Masters of the Universe’s $100 million milestone hides a bigger Hollywood problem

Masters of the Universe reaches $100 million globally, but its massive budget leaves the He-Man reboot facing losses


Pop Culture & Art June 22, 2026 1 min read
Photo: Amazon MGM Studios

The new Masters of the Universe movie has reached a major box office milestone, crossing the $100 million mark worldwide, but the achievement comes with challenges due to the film’s massive production budget.

The live-action adaptation of Mattel’s iconic franchise follows Prince Adam, also known as He-Man, as he returns to Eternia to battle the villainous Skeletor. After years of development delays, the fantasy action movie finally arrived in cinemas on June 5, 2026.

According to reports from Variety, Masters of the Universe earned an additional $5.6 million during its third weekend in theatres, bringing its domestic box office total to $56 million. The film’s worldwide earnings have now reached approximately $101.9 million.

While crossing $100 million is usually considered an important milestone for a major Hollywood release, the result is less impressive when compared to the movie’s reported production costs. The He-Man reboot was made with an estimated budget between $170 million and $200 million, making its current box office performance a disappointing outcome for the studio.

Several factors may have contributed to the film’s struggles, including its high budget and marketing campaign. Some fans felt the promotional material did not fully capture the tone and appeal expected from the beloved Masters of the Universe franchise.

The movie also faced stronger competition at the box office, with recent horror releases gaining attention from audiences. Despite the challenges, the film’s performance continues to be monitored as it completes its theatrical run.

For now, Masters of the Universe remains a major release for the Mattel franchise, but its journey toward profitability appears more difficult than expected.

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