The $30 million toe in the water

Ahead of the highly anticipated theatrical release of the new live-action Masters of the Universe film , a ranking has been compiled of all movies and major animated specials within the franchise, based on their current Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

The list includes two animated movies and spans several decades of adaptations.

At the very bottom of the ranking is the 1985 He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special, an animated television special that merged the universes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and its spin-off She-Ra: Princess of Power.

Frank Langella's Skeletor: A cult classic born

The third spot is occupied by the 1987 live-action Masters of the Universe movie starring Dolph Lundgren.

Upon its initial release, the film was panned by critcs and underperformed at the box office.

On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval ratiing of 21% from critics, with a slightly higher audience score of 41%.

However,despite its rocky start, the film has since been re-evaluated and is now celebrated as a cult classic among franchise enthusiasts.

Many fans praise Frank Langella's portrayal of Skeletor, often citing it as the definitive and most compelling aspect of the movie.

Amazon MGM Studios' gamble pays off

Claiming the top position is the upcoming 2024 live-action remake from Amazon MGM Studios.

Early critic reviews have already secured it a remarkable Tomatometer score, based on over one hundred reviews, making it the highest-rated entry in the entire He-Man film series at the time of its release.

This immediate wave of positive feedback is unprecedented for a Masters of the Universe adaptation.

Critics have widely acclaimed the film, highlighting its compelling narrative and successful execution .

A new era for the franchise?

The original 1987 film, once derided, has been embraced by generations of fans,while the newest offering has managed to win over critics from the very beginning.

The stark contrast between the initial reception of the 1987 movie and the preview buzz for the 2024 version illustrates changing tastes and advancements in filmmaking.

The upcoming release faces the high expectations set by these early reviews, and its performance will be closely watched by both long-time fans and a new audience.

Who is the driving force behind the franchise's resurgence?

The article itself is written by Maggie Dela Paz ,an entertainment journalist with over seven years of experience covering the industry.

She notes her personal affinity for coming-of-age stories, K-Dramas, and K-Pop, and mentions her current favorite shows as FX's The Bear and the anime My Hero Academia.