M3GAN 2.0, the sequel to the hit horror film, has underperformed at the box office, earning only $36.5 million globally after just three weekends in theaters. The film's initial reception has been poor, with only $10.2 million in domestic sales during its opening weekend. This sequel attempts to shift from horror to a blend of sci-fi and action, but many fans were disappointed, feeling the genre swap didn't resonate. Blumhouse Productions has responded to the poor performance, acknowledging mistakes in their approach and the expectations set by the first film, which grossed $180 million globally. M3GAN herself humorously announced the digital release of the film, highlighting the contrast between audience preferences and studio decisions. The digital release is now available, with a physical copy set to release soon.

Why did M3GAN 2.0 fail at the box office?

M3GAN 2.0 struggled at the box office primarily due to a significant shift in genre from horror to a mix of sci-fi and action-comedy, which did not align with audience expectations. Many fans of the original film wanted more of the horror elements that made the first movie a hit, leading to disappointment with the sequel.

The first M3GAN film, released in December 2022, became a cultural phenomenon with its unique blend of horror and dark humor. The character M3GAN, a life-like doll with artificial intelligence, gained substantial popularity, leading to high expectations for the sequel. However, the sequel's attempts to diversify genres did not capture the same audience engagement, leading to its underwhelming performance in theaters.