The creepy A.I. doll is back with M3GAN 2.0 returning to theaters this summer, and now available to stream starting Friday, September 26 on Peacock. The sequel to the 2022 surprise hit M3GAN hit theaters in June, though it couldn’t fully take advantage of its summer release date. If you missed it in theaters, now is your chance to stream it.
The first movie was quite the unexpected hit, debuting in January 2022 — a release slot typically not coveted by any film. M3GAN rode a wave of critical approval (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) to theaters, debuting with $30.4 million, nearly double the low-end of analysts’ projections of between $17 million and $20 million.
Naturally, it didn’t take long for a sequel to materialize, with original M3GAN director Gerald Johnstone and writer Akela Cooper returning along with stars Allison Williams (Gemma), Violet McGraw (Cady), Ronny Chieg (David), Brian Jordan Alvarez (Cole), Amie Donald (M3GAN), and Jenna Davis (voice of M3GAN) returning. Unfortunately, the box office results weren’t nearly as impressive as its predecessor.
M3GAN 2.0’s Streaming Debut Comes After Disappointing Theatrical Run
After M3GAN‘s strong debut, it finished its domestic box office run with $95.1 million, with another $84.9 million internationally for a worldwide gross of $181 million, from just a $12 million budget. While it managed that successful run during the box office doldrums of January and February, it wasn’t surprising that the sequel was given a summer run.
The fans that made the original movie such a hit didn’t turn out in the same way as the sequel. It opened in fourth place, earning just $10.2 million in its opening weekend, en route to a disappointing $24.1 million domestic and $39.1 million worldwide from a budget estimated to be between $15 million and $25 million.
Not only did the fans not show up to theaters for M3GAN 2.0, but the critics didn’t shower praise upon the sequel like they did the original. While the first M3GAN movie earned an impressive 93% score from the Rotten Tomatoes critics, the sequel slipped into “rotten” territory with 58%, though fan ratings were stronger than the original.
Why Should You Watch M3GAN 2.0 On Peacock?
Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, which gauges fan responses to any given film, was quite high for both M3GAN and its sequel M3GAN 2.0. The first film boasted a 78% Popcornmeter score, though while the sequel wasn’t nearly as lucrative at the box office, the fans who did see it seemed to like it more, earning an 81% Popcornmeter score.
Both movies present an inventive look at the dangers and moral uncertainty of emerging technology and A.I. through the use of unique visuals, dark humor and compelling performances. Given how far the sequel slid from its predecessor at the box office, it seems unlikely that a third film will happen.
However, if enough fans get behind it and turn it into a cult classic, it could be a vague possibility in the years to come.
