M3GAN 2.0 fails at the box office and leaves a third installment of the saga in suspense

The highly anticipated M3GAN 2.0, sequel to the successful 2023 thriller, failed to meet expectations at the box office. With a global gross of just USD 17 million, the film falls well below the results of its predecessor, which recouped its budget during its opening weekend and became a viral phenomenon thanks to its original concept and the terrifying doll protagonist.

A creative twist that did not convince

Director Gerard Johnstone's approach was ambitious: to transform the tone of the franchise, leaving behind pure horror to blend science fiction and action, with direct influences from classics like Terminator 2. This change introduced a new character, Amelia, played by Ivanna Sakhno, and offered a more elaborate narrative, but also distanced itself from the elements that made the first installment a success.

The conceptual twist, while aiming to refresh the story, confused fans who expected a direct continuation of the horror approach. Reviews and audience data show that a large part of the public felt the film strayed too far from the original spirit.

An unfavorable release date

The release of M3GAN 2.0 coincided with high-profile launches such as F1, which made its positioning in theaters more difficult. In addition, horror usually performs better in months like October, not in the first half of the year, which could also have negatively influenced the box office results.

Is there a future for the killer doll?

Despite the poor results, Allison Williams, actress and producer of the film, remained optimistic: "Dreams of a third film are more alive than ever," she stated. However, the weak financial performance could make studios reconsider a direct continuation.

Meanwhile, fans can still look forward to the spin-off "Soulm8te," set in the same narrative universe. This new installment will seek to offer a fresh perspective and could serve as an alternative way to keep the franchise alive.