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Masters of the Universe

The live-action Masters of the Universe film, directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, began streaming on Prime Video on July 22, 2026, after a Japanese theatrical release on June 5, 2026.

Synthesized from 2 Yomimono stories · updated 4h ago

The live-action Masters of the Universe film, the second theatrical adaptation of the Mattel toy franchise, moved from a theatrical release to streaming on Prime Video just over a month after its Japanese premiere. The film opened in Japanese theaters on June 5, 2026, through Sony Pictures Entertainment, and began streaming on Prime Video on July 22, 2026. It is still screening in Japanese theaters.

Director Travis Knight, known for Bumblebee and as CEO of Laika Studios, has cited deep Japanese cultural influences on the film. In interviews ahead of the release, Knight named Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira as direct visual and thematic inspirations, alongside Akira Kurosawa, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and the manga Lone Wolf and Cub. The film follows Prince Adam of Eternia, sent to Earth as a child, who later finds the Power Sword and returns to his home planet to fight Skeletor as He-Man. Dolph Lundgren, who played He-Man in the 1987 film, makes a cameo appearance.

Key facts

Director
Travis Knight
Lead actor
Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man
Streaming platform
Prime Video
Streaming start date
July 22, 2026
Japanese theatrical release date
June 5, 2026
Japanese theatrical distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Cameo
Dolph Lundgren (He-Man in the 1987 film)
Japanese cultural influences cited by director
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Akira, Akira Kurosawa, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Lone Wolf and Cub

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
live_action · 2026-07-22 · global · 2026-07-21
Release
live_action · 2026-06-05 · Japan · 2026-07-21
Licensed by
Prime Video (global) · 2026-07-21
Licensed by
Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) · 2026-07-21
Noted
upcoming film Masters of the Universe · 2026-06-04

Connections

Directs of
travis knight

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All coverage

4h ago

Live-Action Masters of the Universe Film Heads to Prime Video

The live-action film "Masters of the Universe," starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, will begin streaming on Prime Video on July 22, according to Cinema Today. The film was released in Japanese theaters on June 5 through Sony Pictures Entertainment and is still screening. This is the second live-action adaptation of the Mattel toy franchise, following the 1987 film. Directed by Travis Knight of "Bumblebee," the story follows Prince Adam of Eternia, who was sent to Earth as a child during a war. Fifteen years later, he finds the legendary Power Sword and returns to his home planet, now ruled by the evil Skeletor. Adam transforms into the mightiest warrior He-Man to battle the evil army. Dolph Lundgren, who played He-Man in the 1987 film, makes a cameo appearance. The franchise originated with Mattel action figures and has expanded into anime, comics, and games, including a recent Netflix anime series.

Jun 4

Travis Knight Reveals Japanese Culture Influences in Masters of the Universe

Director Travis Knight discussed his love for Japanese culture in a new interview for the upcoming film Masters of the Universe, citing influences from Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. Knight, CEO of Laika Studios, said his early works were shaped by Akira Kurosawa, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and the manga Lone Wolf and Cub.