This week on 100 Things We Learned From Film, we’re diving headfirst into the neon-drenched, synth-powered madness of Masters of the Universe—the film where He-Man leaves Eternia… and somehow ends up in suburban America.
Cannon Films touted this as the Star Wars of the 1980s but what we actually got is a fascinating mix of huge ambition, shrinking budgets, and pure 80s energy. From behind-the-scenes chaos and last-minute rewrites to Frank Langella going full Shakespeare as Skeletor, this is one of those films that shouldn’t work… but absolutely earns its cult status.
Joining us this week is patron Stig from the Modern Escapism podcast, who FINALLY landed on the wheel and brought us his pick so expect big laughs, deep dives, and plenty of Cannon Films insanity along the way.
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Masters of the Universe (stylized as Masters of the Universe: The Motion Picture) is a 1987 American sword and sorcery film based on the Masters of the Universe franchise by Mattel. The film was directed by Gary Goddard, produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan, and written by David Odell. It stars Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Courteney Cox, James Tolkan, Christina Pickles, and Meg Foster with supporting roles by Billy Barty, Jon Cypher, Chelsea Field, and Robert Duncan McNeill. The film follows two teenagers who meet He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, who travels to Earth with his friends, Man-At-Arms and Teela, to stop their archenemy, the evil Skeletor from obtaining a cosmic key that will enable him to take over their home planet Eternia and the entire universe.
While it is the first live action movie in the franchise, the very first He-Man/Masters of The Universe movie was the animated The Secret of the Sword, released in theaters nationwide two years earlier in 1985.
Masters of the Universe was released theatrically in the United States on August 7, 1987. It was a critical and commercial failure, grossing $17 million worldwide against a budget of $22 million. At the time of release, it was met with negative reviews from film critics, but is now regarded as a cult film. Another film adaptation is set to be released in 2026
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Cast
Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, the champion of Eternia
Frank Langella as Skeletor, the leader of the Evil Warriors and He-Man's archenemy
Meg Foster as Evil-Lyn, a witch who is a member of the Evil Warriors
Billy Barty as Gwildor, a Thenurian who invented the Cosmic Key
Courteney Cox as Julie Winston, a teenager on Earth who finds the Cosmic Key
Robert Duncan McNeill as Kevin Corrigan, a teenager and friend of Julie who finds the Cosmic Key
Jon Cypher as Man-At-Arms, an ally of He-Man
Chelsea Field as Teela, the daughter of Man-At-Arms and ally of He-Man
James Tolkan as Hugh Lubic, a detective that has his encounters with the Eternians
Christina Pickles as Sorceress, the protector of Castle Grayskull
Tony Carroll as the Beastman, an animalistic member of the Evil Warriors who makes animalistic sounds
Pons Maar as Saurod, a lizard man member of the Evil Warriors
Anthony De Longis as Blade, a sword-wielding member of the Evil Warriors who wears an eyepatch
Robert Towers as Karg, a bat-like member of the Evil Warriors who commands Skeletor's soldiers and interprets for Beast Man
Barry Livingston as Charlie
Gwynne Gilford as Mrs. Winston, the mother of Julie
Walter Scott as Mr. Winston, the father of Julie
Walt P. Robles as Carl, the janitor
Cindi Eyman as Gloria
Peter Brooks as the narrator
Richard Szponder as Pigboy, a member of the Evil Warriors with a pig-like face who gives Skeletor his staff
