The titular android warned us that M3GAN 2.0 would be a sequel so epic that we’d need to “hold on to our vaginas.”
So, what went wrong…?
Unfortunately, Gerard Johnstone’s sequel to his 2023 hit drastically underperformed during its opening weekend.
Initially projected to gross an impressive $20 million during the weekend, M3GAN 2.0 hit a stumbling block, after grossing just $4.6 million during its first day.
Ultimately, the sequel grossed just $10 million domestically, falling far below estimates and finishing in a disappointing fifth place. This performance is in stark contrast to the original’s $30 million opening haul.
Overseas, M3GAN 2.0 didn’t fare much better, only netting an additional $3.5 million from multiple markets.
The sequel also received a middling reception from critics, many of whom lambasted M3GAN 2.0 for its jarring turn from its horror roots to an action-thriller. The commercial failure of the follow-up has also been attributed to the extreme genre change, with many audience members voicing their alienation with the new direction.
M3GAN 2.0 also faced stiff competition at the box-office, going head-to-head with the Brad Pitt vehicle F1. Unlike M3GAN, it opened to rave reviews and grossed over $100 million during its worldwide premiere.
So, what does the failure of M3GAN 2.0 mean for future instalments? Well, according to Johnstone, there are five more M3GAN instalments planned.
However, the sequel’s failure is the latest in a year long series of disappointments for Blumhouse Productions. Having lost money on the likes of Speak No Evil, Night Swim, Imaginary, and others, it seems unlikely the studio will be willing to proceed with a third M3GAN entry.
So, is this the end for the sassy android? We’ll let you know.
