Killer robots doing TikTok-worthy dances unsurprisingly make a killing at the box office. Coming off a successful first two weeks, the M3GAN sequel, M3GAN 2.0, has a release date of January 17, 2025, Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster have confirmed.
Some behind-the-scenes and on-camera faces will return. The writer of the first film, Akela Cooper, is returning to pen the script. Leading stars Allison Williams and Violet McGraw are coming back to continue their streak in horror. Williams is best known for her supporting role in Get Out, and McGraw has worked on various projects by Mike Flannagan, most notably The Haunting of Hill House. Williams, who executive produced the first film, will be producing.
A deal is in the works for Gerard Johnstone to return to direct the film, but it is unknown if he will come back to helm the sequel.
M3GAN sequel in the works; sets 2025 release date
The film follows an engineer (Williams) tasked with taking care of an orphaned girl (McGraw). She uses her knowledge to use an AI to protect the girl and take the load of parenting off her shoulders. Things don’t go well as the robotic doll gets too protective as she starts slashing anyone who she deems a threat.
In classic horror fashion, the film had a small budget and managed to score big at the box office, leading to the expected sequel for M3GAN. The film had a budget of 12 million and so far has grossed $95 million worldwide. Its opening was a staggering $30 million, putting it right below Jordan Peele’s Nope ($44 million) and on par with last year’s Scream ($30 million). The success was largely due to a mix of viral marketing campaigns – including a scene in the film shown in trailers of the doll dancing – and the genre carrying weight in the industry as theater attendance remains lower than pre-pandemic, but has shown to be strong for horror films.
M3GAN is still currently in theaters for people who missed out on the sensational killer doll.