Hollywood Rebooting 2 Iconic ’80s Movies That Haven’t Aged Well Is Either A Blessing Or A Curse

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As a huge movie fan, I’m seeing a lot of reboots coming up, and I’m really excited about a couple of them! They’re bringing back two classic fantasy films with fresh takes. First, we’re getting a new Masters of the Universe movie starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, which is set to come out in June 2026. And even better, Henry Cavill is leading a Highlander reboot! It’s being directed by Chad Stahelski – the guy behind John Wick – and it’s going to star Russell Crowe and Karen Gillan too. I can’t wait!

Both the original Masters of the Universe (1987) and Highlander (1986) are still enjoyable to watch, and many people remember them fondly, even those who weren’t around when they first came out. Looking at them now, though, they haven’t held up very well over time. This could be a good thing, letting viewers appreciate them for what they were, or it could be a problem, making them feel dated and less appealing.

Why The Original Masters Of The Universe & Highlander Movies Haven’t Aged Well

While Masters of the Universe has a nostalgic charm and successfully captured the over-the-top spirit of He-Man, the live-action movie hasn’t held up well over time. Setting the story on 1980s Earth, instead of the fantasy world of Eternia, feels strange now, with outdated references and a jarring mix of fantasy and reality.

Making the Masters of the Universe movie was a struggle with money and artistic limitations. Despite director Gary Goddard’s enthusiasm, he wasn’t able to turn a low-budget concept into a major hit. The film suffered from missing characters, changes to the original story, and noticeable gaps in the plot.

To be fair, a lot of the issues with Masters of the Universe came from trying to do too much with a limited budget. While it was a good effort – which explains why it has a dedicated fanbase – it ultimately didn’t succeed.

With Highlander, it’s a bit more complicated. The story of Connor MacLeod still works today, though it definitely shows its age. The biggest challenge when revisiting Highlander is figuring out if you should just enjoy it as a typical, over-the-top ’80s action movie. It’s not quite as hilariously bad as Masters of the Universe, and it doesn’t easily fit into the ‘so bad it’s good’ category. Highlander falls somewhere in between, and that feeling has become even stronger over time.

Like Masters of the Universe, Highlander gained a dedicated fanbase, but it often feels like viewers are playfully mocking it rather than genuinely enjoying it. While fans of Russell Mulcahy’s film embrace its absurdity, Highlander’s current reputation largely relies on fond memories. Every time you watch it, you overlook one issue only to discover another soon after.

Masters Of The Universe & Highlander Aging Badly Could Be A Blessing Or A Curse

It’s natural for people to feel frustrated when Hollywood revisits beloved classic films. Movies like Psycho, The Karate Kid, and Ghostbusters were already so well-made, yet they were still remade. That’s why fans are especially eager to protect Back to the Future from the same treatment.

Maybe we should give Hollywood credit for revisiting Masters of the Universe and Highlander with big budgets. Both properties have dedicated fans, interesting core ideas, and frankly, could have been much better originally. With more funding, improved special effects, and a modern approach, both could really shine.

This is exactly how Hollywood should handle remakes: take a classic film that didn’t quite live up to its potential and give it the treatment it deserves. The fact that both Masters of the Universe and Highlander haven’t held up well over time actually benefits these new versions.

At the same time, they risk a no-win scenario.

Cult classic movies are often loved because of their flaws. Fans of films like Highlander and Masters of the Universe embrace the campy acting and general ridiculousness – and that’s part of their appeal. A gritty, serious take on Highlander starring Henry Cavill just doesn’t seem right. However, trying to recapture that specific, wonderfully bad 1980s vibe with a large budget would likely be impossible.

The upcoming 2026 Masters of the Universe movie seems to be steering clear of a dark and serious tone, which is good. But it’s a challenge to capture the fun, slightly cheesy spirit of the original 1987 film – made on a small budget – without it feeling artificial or like they’re trying too hard.

With John Wick director Chad Stahelski involved, the new Highlander seems to be aiming for a more serious and grounded tone, avoiding the over-the-top style of the original. This creates an interesting contrast with the John Wick remake, which appears to be embracing its campy roots. It will be really interesting to see which approach – a serious reboot or a fun, nostalgic one – connects better with fans of the original movies.

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2025-11-26 00:33