Story perspectives

Amazon Streams “Masters of the Universe” After $113 M Gross, Loss

7/21/2026

Summary

Amazon Streams Flop

Amazon MGM Studios released “Masters of the Universe” on Prime Video on July 22, 2026 after a 47-day theatrical window.
The film continued playing in about 315 theaters while streaming, with no PVOD option.
It earned $113.3 million worldwide against a $170 million-$200 million budget, resulting in a large loss.
Domestically it opened with $29.4 million, totaled $64.6 million, and received a B CinemaScore and 67 % Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Summary

Amazon Pushes Masters

Amazon is promoting the Prime Video debut of Masters of the Universe to attract subscribers, citing Prime Video’s lead in users.
Director Travis Knight, Laika Studios CEO, said he hopes to expand the reboot into a franchise, will direct Clarke’s Piranesi, and will see Laika release Wildwood in October.
IGN reviewer Clint Gage gave the movie an 8/10 rating, noting its faithful yet playful homage to the 50-year-old toy franchise.

History

Historical Context

In September 2020 Disney debuted live-action *Mulan* on Disney+ Premier Access, charging $29.99 per subscriber—the first major film after Disney+ launched in November 2019 and reached 86.8 million users by December 2020. That pandemic-driven model proved streaming could offset box-office loss, leading Amazon MGM Studios to release *Masters of the Universe* on Prime Video in July 2026 with a 47-day window, extending the high-budget, subscription-focused strategy.

1 of 3

Amazon Streams Flop

Amazon MGM Studios released “Masters of the Universe” on Prime Video on July 22, 2026 after a 47-day theatrical window.
The film continued playing in about 315 theaters while streaming, with no PVOD option.
It earned $113.3 million worldwide against a $170 million-$200 million budget, resulting in a large loss.
Domestically it opened with $29.4 million, totaled $64.6 million, and received a B CinemaScore and 67 % Rotten Tomatoes rating.

1 / 3