He-Man and the "Masters of the Universe" has finally arrived in Indian cinemas, but the fantasy action film has started its box office journey on a modest note. Starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Jared Leto as the iconic villain Skeletor, the live-action adaptation collected approximately ₹1.50 crore gross on its opening day in India.
While the opening is not particularly strong by Hollywood blockbuster standards, trade observers believe the film still has room to grow over the weekend. Much will depend on audience word-of-mouth and whether family viewers turn up in larger numbers over the next two days.
He-Man Records a Modest Day 1 Collection
Directed by Travis Knight, the film opened across India in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. According to early trade estimates, the movie earned around ₹1.50 crore gross on Day 1, placing it among the smaller Hollywood openings of the year.
Industry reports suggest the film is targeting an opening weekend total in the ₹5 - ₹7 crore range. However, achieving that figure will require solid growth during Saturday and Sunday. The movie entered theaters amid competition from several high-profile releases, making it harder to attract casual moviegoers during its first day.
Nicholas Galitzine Steps Into the Role of He-Man
The movie is among the biggest movies played by Nicholas Galitzine. In the movie, he portrays the role of Prince Adam, who discovers his true identity as He-Man and goes back to the mystical kingdom of Eternia to fight against those who wish him harm.
Meanwhile, Jared Leto takes on the role of Skeletor, bringing one of pop culture's most recognizable villains to the big screen. The cast also includes Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Morena Baccarin, and Alison Brie. The star-studded lineup helped generate interest before release, particularly among fans of the classic franchise.
Audience Reactions Remain Mixed
One thing that can affect the film in the future is the reaction from audiences. There has already been some mixed response where some viewers admire the action scenes and special effects, but others have had some conflicting views on the narrative.
Despite the mixed word-of-mouth, fans of the original Masters of the Universe franchise have shown enthusiasm for seeing the beloved characters return in a live-action format. The film's nostalgic appeal may help sustain its theatrical run over the coming weeks.
Social media conversations have largely focused on Galitzine's transformation into He-Man and Leto's interpretation of Skeletor, both of which were heavily discussed leading up to release.
Can the Film Grow Over the Weekend?
Growth during weekends in India seems to be important for Hollywood movies that target families. According to trade experts, there is hope that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will manage to better its standing through audience response.
Fantasy adventure films have generally appealed to a younger demographic, and this film's broad language approach might make for an interesting way to draw in viewers. But given the other films that are currently showing in theaters, the movie will have to do well on the weekends to succeed.
Final Take
He-Man and the "Masters of the Universe" has begun its Indian box office journey with a Day 1 collection of ₹1.50 crore gross. While the opening falls on the lower side for a major Hollywood release, the film still has the weekend ahead to build momentum. With Nicholas Galitzine leading the charge as He-Man and Jared Leto stepping into the role of Skeletor, all eyes are now on whether the fantasy adventure can turn its modest start into a respectable theatrical run.