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Masters of the Universe Chronicles He-Man & Teela Are Truly Masters of the Shelf

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There are plenty of ways to say, “By the power of Grayskull!” but after spending time with Mattel’s new Masters of the Universe Chronicles He-Man and Teela action figures, the appropriate response might simply be: By the power of incredible toys! With the latest Masters of the Universe movie from the toy brand and MGM Studios bringing He-Man, Teela, and the rest of Eternia to live action, Mattel has the unenviable job of turning those cinematic interpretations into toys that can satisfy both moviegoers and longtime collectors. 

Now that might seem like an impossible task to do, as you don’t want to alienate one or the other; however, Mattel summoned the power of Eternia and brought forth another excellent line of products to celebrate this new outing of a beloved franchise. While the line of toys features all of your favorites from Masters of the Universe, it’s He-Man and Teela that stand out amongst the crowd, making a strong first impression for collectors and children alike. 

They’re substantial enough in size and shape to showcase impressive sculpting, packed with enough details and accessories you could need to tell the latest tale from Eternia, as He-Man and his crew save the day once again! However, perhaps the most important aspect of the Chronicles series is that these action figures still retain the unmistakable DNA of Masters of the Universe.

In other words, Skeletor might have his work cut out for him…

A new Eternia needs new action figures

The Masters of the Universe Chronicles collection takes a decidedly collector-friendly approach to the most recent movie, which is probably the smartest decision Mattel could make with a new take on a beloved world. From a practical perspective, these figures stand approximately 6.5 inches tall and feature 30 points of articulation, which is incredibly impressive for an action figure. This highlights that the Masters of the Universe Chronicles collection is well beyond the basic “grab it at the toy aisle” movie-figure experience, and that distinction becomes obvious almost immediately.

The sculpts are detailed, beyond detailed, really. Like, I’ve had plenty of standard toy-aisle action figures throughout my life, and I was completely unprepared for the level of detail Mattel put into the He-Man and Teela figures. The costumes have plenty of visual interest, from the gorgeous white-and-gold detailing on Teela to the chestplate and miniskirt of He-Man, all of which feel ripped right off the silver screen. 

You can also tell the Chronicle figurines have been designed with posing in mind, as those 30 points of articulation ensure that you can create, or recreate, any scene you want. They’re figures that look good standing straight out of the package, but they clearly want to be posed in action. And that’s exactly what a Masters of the Universe figure should do.

All the power of Eternia in a tiny He-Man package!

While Masters of the Universe is packed with so many fan-favorite characters, we have to begin with the star of the show, He-Man himself! The Chronicles He-Man draws inspiration from Nicholas Galitzine’s portrayal in the movie, giving collectors a cinematic version of Eternia’s greatest hero. The facial likeness is one of the figure’s most important features, and Mattel has done a solid job translating the actor’s appearance into a stylized action-figure sculpt.

He-Man Chronicle Mattel Action figure

More importantly, it still looks like He-Man, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. The character has decades of visual history behind him, and any movie redesign risks wandering too far from the character people recognize. The Chronicles figure manages to walk that line nicely. The armor and costume feel modern and movie-specific, but the heroic silhouette remains familiar.

And then there’s that Power Sword. Of course there’s a Power Sword, because you can’t have the protector of Eternia without it. The sword is an essential accessory, and it looks right at home in He-Man’s hands. Along with interchangeable hands that let collectors experiment with different grips and poses, this figure features a 30-point articulation system, which is perhaps the biggest reason it isn’t simply another static movie collectible. The arms, legs, and torso can be positioned in a variety of action-oriented stances, allowing He-Man to look ready for battle rather than like he’s waiting for someone to put him back in the box. And let’s be honest: a He-Man figure that can’t throw a convincing punch is missing the point.

Teela is no sidekick on this Masters of the Universe adventure

If He-Man is the expected MVP of Eternia, Teela is the action figure that could sneak away with the trophy. Based on Camila Mendes’ portrayal in the movie, Chronicles Teela is an impressively equipped release that feels like a character in her own right rather than simply the obligatory female hero in the assortment.

Teela Masters of the Universe Chronicle Action FigureAction Figure

Mattel gives her the same approximately 6.5-inch scale and 30 points of articulation as He-Man, immediately putting the two figures on equal footing. This is incredibly important, given how some companies have differentiated between male and female action figures in design and marketing. In this case, Teela has always been a major character in the MOTU mythology, and this figure reflects that importance. Her costume combines the fantasy aesthetic of Eternia with the movie’s more grounded cinematic approach, while her articulation allows for some excellent action poses.

And Mattel doesn’t skimp on the gear, ensuring it fully captures this character’s essence and style. Teela comes with a sword, rifle, and blaster, along with interchangeable hands and an alternate head featuring a bun hairstyle. That’s a surprisingly generous selection of accessories, giving collectors several ways to display her. The alternate head is especially welcome. It may seem like a small extra, but swapping heads can dramatically change the personality of an action figure. Add the different weapons and posing options, and Teela has plenty of variety.

Between Chronicles He-Man and Teela, there’s nothing these two heroes can’t handle, especially when it comes to saving Eternia from the forces of evil! Mattel has made sure of that.

Bringing Masters of the Universe into a new generation

Movie action figures live or die by their likenesses, which has always been a major issue when it comes to bringing a cinematic feel to the world of toys. A fantastic body sculpt doesn’t mean much if the character’s face looks like somebody’s distant cousin rather than the actor they’re supposed to represent.

Fortunately, both He-Man and Teela from the Chronicles line do a good job of communicating their movie counterparts. He-Man’s Nicholas Galitzine and Teela’s Camila Mendes likenesses help establish the figures as movie collectibles, but Mattel hasn’t sacrificed the stylized look necessary for an action figure. There’s a nice balance between realism and the larger-than-life aesthetic that Masters of the Universe demands.

They’re recognizable without looking like tiny statues. That’s an important distinction because these figures are meant to be played with, posed, and displayed. And play you can accomplish when you’re looking at the entire line of Chronicles figurines, which aren’t just stopping at the two leads of the film, He-Man and Teela.

Mattel has assembled a surprising number of characters from the movie, including several of Eternia’s biggest heroes and villains. Alongside the aforementioned figures in this review, the entire line includes Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Ram Man, and Evil-Lyn, with Battle Cat providing a much larger companion piece for He-Man.

That’s a strong lineup, especially for those looking to reenact all of their favorite scenes from the film. Skeletor is obviously essential. A He-Man collection without Skeletor is like Eternia without a looming threat: technically possible, but considerably less fun. The Chronicles Skeletor is based on Jared Leto’s portrayal in the movie and comes with the iconic Havoc Staff.

Man-At-Arms also gets a movie-inspired release, bringing Idris Elba’s version of the character into the collection. His assortment of weapons makes him another figure with plenty of display potential. Tri-Klops and Trap Jaw expand the villain ranks, while Evil-Lyn adds another major antagonist. Ram Man gives the heroes some additional muscle.

And then there’s Battle Cat, which could be the piece that really makes the collection pop. Put He-Man on Battle Cat, line up Teela and Man-At-Arms beside him, and you’ve suddenly gone from “two movie figures” to a miniature recreation of Eternia. That’s exactly what a good collector line should encourage.

Final thoughts on Mattel’s Masters of the Universe action figures

The Masters of the Universe Chronicles He-Man and Teela figures are a strong opening statement for Mattel’s 2026 movie collection of Chronicle action figures. He-Man is exactly what you’d want from the centerpiece of the line: recognizable, imposing, well-articulated, and equipped with his most important accessory. The Nicholas Galitzine likeness gives him a clear connection to the movie, while the familiar design elements ensure he still feels like He-Man. Teela may be the bigger surprise of the two. Her combination of Camila Mendes’ likeness, 30 points of articulation, multiple weapons, an alternate head, and interchangeable hands makes her an exceptionally versatile figure.

And together, they look fantastic. That’s perhaps the biggest compliment. Put He-Man and Teela on the shelf, and the new movie’s version of Eternia starts to come alive. Add Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Ram Man, Evil-Lyn and Battle Cat, and the appeal becomes even stronger. For longtime MOTU fans, Chronicles offers a fresh interpretation of familiar characters. For fans coming to the franchise through the 2026 movie, it’s an accessible way to bring that world home. The Power Sword may get all the attention, but these figures prove that the real power is in the collection.

The Masters of the Universe Chronicle action figures are available from Mattel! Have you purchased any figures from this line yet? What do you think of the latest outing from He-Man? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation.

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Brian Kitson

Working hard to bring you the latest news and thoughtful analysis of all things nerdy!

Brian Kitson has 408 posts and counting. See all posts by Brian Kitson