Words Scott J. Davis

It’s been sitting in development hell for decades, but at long last, thanks to Bumblebee director Travis Knight, Masters Of The Universe is back – bigger, bolder, and ready to conquer a new generation.

If you didn’t grow up on the comics, cartoons, or toys, here’s a quick primer: Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam, a mild-mannered son of Eternia’s royal family living an ordinary life in secret on Earth. But he’s destined for something far greater. Through his heritage, he’s to be bestowed with the power of Castle Grayskull, which will transform him into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. As Eternia’s champion, he’s the only one capable of defeating Jared Leto’s Skeletor and his forces, including right-hand woman Evil-Lyn, portrayed by Alison Brie.

Sounds simple, right? The help he needs arrives in the form of legendary allies – Camila Mendes’ Teela, Idris Elba’s Man-At-Arms, and Cringer, a timid tiger who can become the mighty Battle Cat – who team up to save their planet from the skull-headed tyrant.

Heroes, villains, and all of Eternia roars to life in a modern vision built for the big screen and in no safer hands than Knight’s, a self-proclaimed fan whose passion for He-Man shines as bright as the Sword of Power.

By the Power of Grayskull, this could be the surprise of the summer.

Toy Stories

Transformers

When a big-budget blockbuster made a big splash in 2007, nobody expected the seven-film juggernaut it would become. Among them, Travis Knight’s throwback adventure Bumblebee arguably stands as the best.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

These fellow eighties icons have seen plenty of big-screen incarnations, but it’s the nineties original that fans hold dearest. A record-breaking hit, it long held the title of highest-grossing independent film of all time.

Barbie

How on earth could a Barbie film work? Three summers ago, we got our answer in a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Powered by Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Billie Eilish, and more, it soared past a billion dollars at the box office and earned eight Oscar nominations, winning one.