I think it’s safe to say that, despite earning strong reviews from critics and winning over many fans, Masters of the Universe has significantly underperformed at the box office. By the end of this weekend, it should be approaching a $60 million domestic total, which is a weak result for a major tentpole release. Internationally, the film has added roughly $40 million, bringing its worldwide total to around $100 million.
If those trends continue, the movie will likely finish its theatrical run in the $160–170 million worldwide range—a disappointing result for a franchise launch that was clearly intended to kick off a larger cinematic universe.
So does that mean a return to Eternia is off the table?
Here’s the interesting thing: while a traditional theatrical sequel seems unlikely, the situation isn’t quite as straightforward as it would be at a conventional studio.
Shortly after the film’s release, Amazon MGM’s distribution chief issued the following statement:
“Travis Knight and the entire cast and filmmaking team have delivered something truly special, and this opening is exactly the kind of critical first moment that validates our holistic distribution strategy — building awareness and engagement that will carry well beyond the theatrical window.”
Of course, that statement was made before the movie suffered a disastrous 69% second-weekend drop. Still, the comment highlights an important reality: Amazon MGM doesn’t operate exactly like traditional Hollywood studios.
For Amazon MGM, theatrical revenue is only part of the equation. Ultimately, the film is destined for Prime Video, where audience engagement can be just as important as box office performance.
If Masters of the Universe were to become a major streaming success—generating strong viewership numbers, social media buzz, and subscriber engagement—it could potentially revive discussions about a sequel. It would likely need to become a genuine streaming phenomenon, but stranger things have happened.
Whether any follow-up would receive a full theatrical release is another question entirely. Still, the movie’s end-credits tease clearly suggests that the filmmakers envisioned a larger future for the franchise.
One of the biggest questions now is when—and where—the film will make its streaming debut.
Amazon MGM recently gave Project Hail Mary a traditional premium VOD rollout before sending it to MGM+ and eventually Prime Video. That strategy made sense because the film became a major theatrical hit and still had significant revenue potential outside theaters. Masters of the Universe may be treated differently.
Amazon could follow the playbook it used for Red One and move the film to Prime Video much sooner, potentially bypassing an extended premium VOD window altogether. An earlier streaming debut could maximize viewership and give the movie a better chance of finding the larger audience it failed to attract theatrically. If that happens—and if viewers show up in huge numbers—the possibility of a sequel becomes a little more realistic.
If I were placing a bet, I’d still say Masters of the Universe 2 is unlikely.
However, it’s not quite as impossible as some headlines would have you believe. Amazon MGM has different priorities than traditional studios, and streaming performance could ultimately play a larger role in determining the franchise’s future than box office numbers alone.
For fans who enjoyed the movie and want to see He-Man return, the best thing you can do is support the film when it arrives on streaming.
Even if a sequel never materializes, Masters of the Universe stands as a surprisingly strong modern reimagining of a beloved property—and a massive improvement over the 1987 Cannon Films adaptation.
Do you think a sequel can still happen? Let us know in the comments.