Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe underperforms at box office as sequel talk emerges

Masters of the Universe, a live-action adaptation produced for Amazon MGM Studios, opened to a lower-than-expected box office performance over its debut weekend, according to reporting published June 12 by The Guardian. The article said the film brought in about $54 million globally in its opening weekend, a figure characterized as disappointing for a mainstream release with a budget above $100 million.

The story describes the production as a major franchise attempt using characters tied to Mattel’s Masters of the Universe universe, and it frames the new film as part of Amazon MGM’s broader push to develop theatrical properties it can carry into subsequent releases. While the report does not describe internal studio targets or deal terms, it presents the debut numbers as a clear test of audience demand shortly after launch.

The Guardian also reported that, despite the debut performance, discussions about a sequel have surfaced. The publication framed the question as whether the studio can be serious about pursuing another installment after a weak start, particularly given the scale of the project and the typical expectations attached to large-budget theatrical productions.

In the same reporting, the film’s release timing and distribution context were noted, including that Amazon MGM has the resources to revive a franchise even when earlier entries have not performed strongly in years. However, the article did not offer confirmed statements from studio executives about whether a sequel is formally moving forward, and it did not cite a signed production commitment or announced production dates.

The box office result matters commercially because a large-budget studio movie generally relies on strong opening performance and sustained attendance, particularly for family-oriented fantasy that competes for weekend audiences. A comparatively modest opening can affect downstream decisions, including marketing spend, theater run length, and whether the studio prioritizes another installment quickly or retools the brand strategy.

The Guardian’s report also points to wider audience expectations for a franchise that has previously enjoyed a dedicated following. That fan base, the article implies, is not the only determinant of theatrical success, and the studio’s next steps will likely hinge on how distributors, theaters, and the studio evaluate the film’s total take after the initial weekend.

The next developments depend on official positions from Amazon MGM Studios. If the studio chooses to proceed with sequel planning, it would typically require public confirmation of casting, screenplay development, and production timing. If not, the film’s performance may shift internal attention to alternative formats or different approaches within the same property universe, but those determinations would require additional confirmation beyond the current reporting.