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EntertainmentMasters of the Universe skips PVOD, heads straight to Prime Video on July 22
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Masters of the Universe, the big-screen reboot of the Mattel franchise directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Jared Leto as Skeletor, will debut on Prime Video on July 22 instead of premium video on demand (PVOD). The film, an Amazon MGM Studios production, opened in theaters on June 5 with a $29.4 million opening weekend but suffered a 70% drop in its second weekend. Nearing the end of its theatrical run, it has earned $64.6 million domestically and $48.7 million internationally for a worldwide total of $113 million against a $200 million production budget. The decision to skip PVOD and go directly to Prime Video marks a shift from Amazon MGM's strategy for Project Hail Mary, which first launched on PVOD before moving to streaming. Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month) or available standalone ($8.99/month with ads).
Source report
Masters of the Universe, the big-screen reboot of the Mattel toy-turned-media franchise, is set to make its streaming debut on Prime Video this week instead of premium video on demand (PVOD).
Cast and Release Details
Directed by Travis Knight, the film stars Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Jared Leto as his nemesis Skeletor. Masters of the Universe opened in theaters on June 5. The He-Man origin story also features:
- Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms Duncan
- Camila Mendes as Teela
- James Purefoy as King Randor
- Charlotte Riley as Queen Marlena
- Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn
- Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress
Box Office Performance
An Amazon MGM Studios production, Masters of the Universe had a difficult theatrical run:
- Opening weekend (June 5–7): $29.4 million from 3,667 North American theaters
- Second weekend: $8.9 million domestically — a 70% drop in domestic ticket sales
- Total to date: $64.6 million domestically and $48.7 million internationally, for a worldwide box office tally of $113 million
According to Variety, the film had a production budget of approximately $200 million before marketing costs.
Streaming Details
Instead of following Amazon MGM Studios' Project Hail Mary lead — which debuted on PVOD before heading to subscription streaming — Masters of the Universe is heading directly to a streaming video on demand (SVOD) premiere on Wednesday, July 22, on Prime Video.
Prime Video Pricing
- Amazon Prime membership: $14.99 per month or $139 per year (includes Prime Video)
- Prime Video-only membership: $8.99 per month
- Prime Video Ultra add-on (ad-free streaming): $4.99 per month
Why 'Masters of the Universe' Returns to Amazon MGM's Streaming Strategy
With a production budget akin to Project Hail Mary — the Ryan Gosling sci-fi blockbuster also cost $200 million before marketing spend, according to Puck News — it seemed that the most logical route for Masters of the Universe in the home entertainment space was PVOD to recoup the film's enormous cost.
When Project Hail Mary arrived on PVOD, it cost $24.99 to purchase on digital and $19.99 to rent, opening another revenue stream before heading to SVOD on MGM+ and Prime Video a few weeks later.
Instead, Masters of the Universe is following Amazon MGM Studios' alternative strategy, bypassing PVOD entirely for a direct-to-streaming release on Prime Video.
Source
Forbes - BusinessWestern
Part of this Story
Masters Of The Universe Prime Video Streaming Release This Week Follows Amazon MGM SVOD Strategy