Masters of the Universe (2026 soundtrack)

Daniel Pemberton was announced to be composing the film score for Masters of the Universe, in his maiden collaboration with Travis Knight, replacing Knight's frequent collaborator Dario Marianelli. Pemberton who had elected not to score many franchise films or sequels, accepted the offer after Knight told him he could create music inspired by Queen and ABBA.^[1]

While recording the score at the Abbey Road Studios in London, Pemberton eventually met guitarist Brian May, who was the co-founder of Queen, and discussed the project which led to May being enthusiastic about a collaboration. May performed the guitar portions of the cues, on his famous Red Special electric guitar which Pemberton described as "the equivalent of the Sword of Power from the Master universe because it’s an instrument forged in flame" and felt only May could play it. Pemberton and May then collaborated on the three-minute theme song "Eternia" which captures the transformation of He-Man from an average young man to an all-powerful being. The piece further implemented a 100-piece choir, an 80-piece orchestra, rock band and synthesizers. Pemberton stated that he "wanted something that had the weight and seriousness of a hard-rock track mixed with the color, campiness and slight cheese of a poppy Euro song. The influences around [the ‘80s] were very pop-driven. [he] wanted it to have that sensibility that as soon as you start the movie, it tells you you’re in for something fun. That’s the most important thing about this film — it’s unashamedly fun."^[1]

Initially, he wanted to incorporate Shuki Levy and Haim Saban's original theme composed for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe into his main theme for the film, but it did not work out. "The thing that’s interesting with He-Man is, for me, the baggage is really the aesthetic. Obviously you have the theme song, which is phenomenally catchy and such an iconic part of people’s childhoods, but we tried it elsewhere in the film and it was very difficult to make it work within the action beats of the movie. At its core, that theme is played for 10 seconds at the beginning of every cartoon, it doesn’t sustain in the same way for longer." An arrangement of the original television theme does appear towards the end of the film, after Prince Adam settles on "He-Man" as his heroic moniker.^[1]

Pemberton composed a "maximalist" score that had more rock and pop sensibility, as the film was sincere, despite the core being ridiculous, which resulted him writing music which was "very flamboyant, theatrical, over the top and quite fun".^[1]

Daniel Pemberton served as composer for the film,^[2] working together with Queen guitarist Brian May.^[3] British rock band the Darkness released the title theme song on May 22.^[4] The soundtrack album was released digitally by Lakeshore Records on June 5.^[5]

Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK wrote "Masters of the Universe is exactly the sort of score that modern blockbuster filmmaking rarely attempts anymore: unabashedly melodic, gloriously excessive, and utterly committed to entertaining its audience. Daniel Pemberton embraces every colorful, larger-than-life aspect of the He-Man franchise and channels it into two hours of soaring themes, thunderous action music, and rock-infused bravado."^[6] Renaldo Matadeen of New Noise Magazine wrote "Pemberton attains a rock 'n roll and industrial balance that's every bit as pristine as it is ambitious this time around."^[7]

Zanobard Reviews wrote "Daniel Pemberton channels the sound of the 1980s to amazing effect with his score for Masters of the Universe, with thunderously epic orchestra, Brian May on electric guitar and a killer main theme altogether making for one of the finest soundtracks of the composer's career so far!"^[8] James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "Gloriously cheesy yet somehow coming across as entirely sincere, this is such an entertaining score from a composer having something of a banner year, having received such acclaim not long ago for Project Hail Mary (an entirely different beast). It's just rollicking good fun and the lengthy album is a complete blast from start to finish. It's mostly big and bold and as colourful as the album cover would imply, it's as camp as Christmas, it does balance all the big music with occasional interludes of more tender material – there's nothing not to like!"^[9]

Anton Smit of Soundtrack World wrote "[Pemberton] is a composer who always delivers a unique and exciting score, and Masters of the Universe is no exception. I have no idea how he comes up with all these innovative ideas, but I am glad his directors give him the freedom to explore them. In my opinion, 2026 is his best year, and yet we are only halfway through!"^[10] Filmtracks wrote "The album can be a very tedious experience because of its parody explosions, perhaps the only well-balanced moment of style coming in "Journey to Snake Mountain." A mid-credits cue using a piece of the "She-Ra" cartoon theme is not contained on that product, nor is the end credits version of "Eternia," which was released separately as a single. Some listeners will appreciate the retro groove, but it's too artificial unless you remember that the film is actually a parody."^[11]

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote "Daniel Pemberton's bombastic score [accompanied the film] featuring squealing doses of rock guitar courtesy of Brian May."^[12] Eric Diaz of Nerdist News wrote "The score by Daniel Pemberton is also absolutely fantastic. We can't forget to mention that. It just screams the '80s, with all the dramatic guitar riffs. And it does a lot of the heavy lifting when a particular scene is not all that great. It helps that Queen's Brian May contributed a lot to the guitar portions, which just makes it all the better. Also, retro-influenced rock band the Darkness contributes a theme song, simply titled "Masters of the Universe", and it's everything you could want it to be."^[13] Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com wrote "Daniel Pemberton's rock-guitar-heavy score (some of it credited to Queen's Brian May; "Princes of the Universe" even plays over a big climactic battle) keeps the action chugging along."^[14]

Kristy Puchko of Mashable wrote "The soundscape is fleshed out with a soundtrack that pulls from the '80s (Queen's "Princes of the Universe") or evocative of it (The Darkness's "Master of the Universe"). Composer Daniel Pemberton's score likewise screams with synthesizers, electric guitars, and hammering drums, calling back to an era of hair metal and stadium rock n' roll. Even Adam outside his He-Man persona has an '80s theme. Reflecting his softer side, The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry" plays over a montage of him failing to fit in on Earth."^[15] Amy Nicholson of Los Angeles Times said "Daniel Pemberton's opening theme music is a rousing crescendo of stadium rock synthesizers. You can hear Queen guitarist Brian May in the score — not merely as an influence. It's actually him."^[16]

Included in the film but not in the soundtrack are the songs "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes, "The Man" by the Killers, "The Power" by Snap!, and "Princes of the Universe" by Queen.^[17][18]

Credits adapted from liner notes:^[22]