The 1980s were a golden era for iconic toy franchises, and few stand taller (literally and figuratively) than Masters of the Universe (MOTU). With its burly heroes, fantastic settings, and a world full of mythical beasts, it captured the imagination of kids and dominated toy aisles. But its success wasn’t limited to just the figures—He-Man and his companions became synonymous with 80s cartoons and later made a foray into film. Here’s how it all came together.
The Birth of He-Man
It all started with Mattel, a toy company looking to capitalize on the burgeoning action-figure market after missing out on Star Wars licensing. Enter Masters of the Universe in 1982, a bold line of muscular action figures, the most famous of which was He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe.
The lore behind Masters of the Universe was an amalgamation of sword-and-sorcery fantasy and science fiction, a mixture that set it apart from other toy lines of the time. He-Man, with his battle cry “I have the power!”, stood as a protector of Eternia, a mystical world threatened by the evil forces of Skeletor. The figures were hefty, at 5.5 inches, and packed with character. He-Man’s companions—Man-At-Arms, Teela, and Orko—each had their own roles in defending the realm.
The villainous side, led by Skeletor, was equally impressive. With his skull face and sorcerous abilities, Skeletor became one of the most recognizable bad guys in 80s pop culture. Characters like Beast Man and Evil-Lyn gave Skeletor the muscle (and magic) to challenge He-Man’s forces, and this back-and-forth struggle was the core appeal.
The Animated Series
What pushed Masters of the Universe beyond a toy line and into the stratosphere of 80s cultural dominance was its animated series, which debuted in 1983. Produced by Filmation, the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon was a 130-episode powerhouse, designed to promote the toys but quickly developed its own fanbase.
The show featured a fairly formulaic structure: Skeletor would hatch a plan, He-Man would thwart it, and a moral lesson would be imparted to kids at the end of the episode. What really stood out, though, was the colorful cast of characters, the inventive adventures, and the world of Eternia itself—a place filled with magical castles, ancient ruins, and futuristic technology.
The cartoon’s art style became iconic, with He-Man’s square-jawed heroism and Skeletor’s cackling menace imprinted in the minds of children. Interestingly, the show never depicted any character deaths despite the constant battles—an effort to keep things child-friendly.
She-Ra: A Spin-Off Success
In 1985, Mattel doubled down on their success with the launch of She-Ra: Princess of Power, a spin-off series targeting girls. She-Ra, the long-lost twin sister of He-Man, wielded her own power sword and protected Etheria from Hordak, Skeletor’s former mentor. While She-Ra’s series never quite matched He-Man’s popularity, it cultivated a strong fanbase, and her character continues to be a feminist icon.
The Movies: From Live-Action to Camp Classic
With the toy line and cartoon series both booming, the next logical step was to head to the big screen. In 1987, Masters of the Universe hit theaters, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. The movie, however, was a mix of strange choices. Rather than setting the action entirely in the mystical land of Eternia, most of the film took place on modern-day Earth, as He-Man and Skeletor chased after a cosmic key.
The film received mixed reviews and wasn’t a box office hit, but in the years since, it has become a cult classic, largely due to its over-the-top performances and 80s nostalgia. Langella’s Skeletor, in particular, was a standout, delivering one of the hammiest but most beloved villain portrayals of the era.
Decline and Revival
By the late 80s, the popularity of Masters of the Universe began to wane. The toy line saw a decline in sales, and the animated series ended. By 1988, He-Man was a fading star. But like many 80s franchises, He-Man would not stay dormant for long.
In the early 2000s, a revival of the toy line, along with a rebooted animated series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002), helped reignite interest in the franchise. The reboot maintained the core characters but added a fresh, anime-inspired style and more complex storylines.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and Masters of the Universe found itself back in the spotlight again, thanks to Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation, a series created by Kevin Smith that picked up where the 80s cartoon left off. The show’s dramatic storytelling and darker tone helped He-Man and Skeletor remain relevant to a modern audience, reigniting nostalgia while introducing the franchise to a new generation.
The Legacy
While many 80s toy lines have come and gone, Masters of the Universe remains a beloved part of pop culture. From its distinct characters to the catchy battle cry of “By the power of Grayskull!”, the franchise has endured for decades, spawning a passionate fanbase, creative reboots, and a lasting legacy in both toy and animation history.