The original M3GAN was a surprise, sleeper hit at the box office. Released in 2023, the film became a meme-fueled, campy horror hit with just the right balance of dark comedy, paranoia around artificial intelligence, and an iconic idance sequence. But M3GAN 2.0 has bombed at the box office and has alienated its audience by switching genres.
A Genre Swap
Director Gerard Johnstone didn’t want to repeat the same plot points from the first film. He decided to switch genres, pushing the franchise from horror dramedy into full-blown ‘80s-style action-sci-fi. Johnstone cited Terminator 2: Judgment Day as a direct inspiration. He also focused more on the franchise’s message about the dangers that come when the wrong people push the boundaries of what AI can do without implementing any guardrails.
And while that creative pivot may have given M3GAN 2.0 a fresh take, it also erased what made the original special.
The Risks of Leaving Horror Behind
Part of what made M3GAN such a viral hit was how weirdly and tonally confident it was. It was terrifying, ridiculous, and self-aware. Like a Black Mirror episode dipped in glitter and stabbed with a Barbie leg.
The sequel ditches most of that. Gone are the creepy lullabies and knife-wielding hallway dances. In their place are explosions, fight scenes, and a narrative that takes itself a little too seriously for a franchise built on a TikTok-friendly murder doll.
That tonal shift might’ve worked if the sequel had something equally bold to say, but the action doesn’t feel nearly as fresh or risky as the horror-comedy blend of the first film. Instead, it leans into familiar sci-fi tropes, which gives us a movie that feels bigger and blander than the original.
The Box Office Wasn’t Impressed
MEGAN 2.0 opened to just $10 million domestically and $17 million globally. In comparison, the original film pulled in $30 million in the US and $180 million internationally. And while Blumhouse spent more money marketing M3GAN 2.0, it didn’t go viral like its predecessor did.
Part of the lackluster response is due to the crowded release window. The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later, and F1: The Movie were released around the same time.
But there’s no denying that the change in genre turned people off more than anything. Horror fans who loved the original weren’t interested in a 80-inspired action flick. And general audiences already had enough summer blockbusters to choose from.
Is M3GAN’s Future in Jeopardy?
A third film doesn’t seem likely. At least not at this moment in time.
Johnstone has said he poured all his ideas into the second movie, and he’s not itching to return unless there’s a compelling new direction. But he also joked that if a fifth installment of the film was in production, maybe he’ll be back by then.
But the franchise isn’t dead yet. In fact, a spin-off is already in the works: SOULM8TE, set for release in January 2026. It follows a grieving man who buys an android to cope with his wife’s death. It’s looking to explore more emotional and philosophical territory within the same universe.
The producers have called the M3GAN universe “limitless,” and they’re hoping the spin-off can reinvigorate the brand. If SOULM8TE connects with audiences critically and financially, it could pave the way for a proper M3GAN 3.0 down the line.
You Can’t Manufacture Cult Status
M3GAN 2.0 is a lesson in what happens when you pivot away from what made a franchise so successful. The genre shift wasn’t a bad idea in theory. But was poorly executed and it came at the cost of tone, identity, and fan loyalty. The first film thrived because it was sharp, absurd, and unafraid to be weird. The sequel wanted to be an epic summer blockbuster but instead feels generic.
If M3GAN is going to live on, future installments (whether their spin-offs or sequels) need to remember what made her iconic in the first place. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially when your audience fell in love with the odd little murderbot who sang Sia’s Titanium and danced in a hallway before murdering her next victim.
