M3GAN 2.0 is getting an unrated cut despite being a $20 million box office disappointment. The follow-up to Blumhouse’s sci-fi action movie M3GAN takes place two years after the lifelike AI doll went on a murderous rampage and sees many of the original cast returning.

Allison Williams reprises her role as M3GAN’s creator Gemma, Violet McGraw returns as Cady, while Amie Donald and Jenna Davis are again the killer robot’s physical performer and voice actor. Despite the 2023 movie being a box office hit for Blumhouse, the sequel failed to match its success. Since it opened on June 27, it has only made $20 million against a $25 million production budget.

Still, during an interview with Discussing Film, M3GAN 2.0‘s Gerard Johnstone revealed that an extended unrated version will be released. The director teased that the unrated cut will include “a few” extra scenes that didn’t make it into the theatrical version to keep the film under two hours, including “many lines” that help tell the story. Check out his comments below:

There will be an unrated version with a few [extra] scenes. We pack a lot in… I get it, it’s a long time to sit in the theater. So, we really wanted the [theatrical cut] to be under two hours. However, in the unrated cut, you’ll see a few things that didn’t make it into the theatrical version. Also, there are many lines in the trailers that help tell the story, but M3GAN doesn’t say them in the film at all (laughs). The studio needed promotional material. Sometimes, the trailers were already made before we could decide, “Can this beat make it into the movie or not?” But, in a way, it still informs the universe.

What The Unrated Cut Means For M3GAN 2.0

M3GAN 2.0 Unrated Cut Will Be Over 2 Hours

M3GAN 2.0‘s hard pivot from campy horror to sci-fi action has divided fans and critics. The movie has a 57% critical approval rate and an 82% audience approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes. While some find the story entertaining, many have complained that the movie lost the authentic chills of the 2023 original.

M3GAN also received an unrated cut after its theatrical release. However, except for some added gore, the unrated version is nearly identical to the theatrical. Johnstone’s comments ambitiously suggest that M3GAN 2.0‘s unrated cut will not only include additional scenes but will also serve to strengthen the storytelling aspect of the movie.

While it’s unclear when the new version will be released, Johnstone also suggests that it’s on the horizon. On the other hand, despite M3GAN 2.0‘s unimpressive box office performance, Blumhouse is actively expanding the franchise. A spinoff movie, SOULM8TE, is in the works and will arrive in theaters in January 2026.

Our Take On M3GAN 2.0 Unrated Cut

Great News For Those Who Love M3GAN 2.0

As pointed out in ScreenRant‘s review of M3GAN 2.0, one of the movie’s most controversial aspects is its pivot from the horror genre. The movie clearly sets itself apart from the original by blending action and a strong plot with sci-fi elements, and it doesn’t sound like the unrated cut is trying to “correct course” by adding more gore or violence.

Johnstone indicates that the unrated cut includes scenes that could help the audience understand the new movie better. Meanwhile, those who find M3GAN 2.0 highly enjoyable are likely to appreciate the added context in the new version. Those who wish the sequel were a different movie won’t find exactly what they’re looking for, but the unrated version could potentially present the director’s vision better.

Source: Discussing Film