A science fiction movie that didn’t perform well in theaters last year is now a hit on two streaming platforms. 2025 was an uneven year for sci-fi films, especially when it came to sequels. While Predator: Badlands was the most successful film in its series, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Avatar: Fire & Ash earned significant revenue but less than previous installments. TRON: Ares, however, was a major financial failure.
Unlike the first M3GAN film, which was a surprise success in 2023 earning $181 million with a small $12 million budget, the sequel M3GAN 2.0 didn’t perform as well in theaters, bringing in only $39 million. However, it found an audience on streaming platforms. It was a top-three hit on Netflix in the U.S. and reached the top six worldwide, and it’s now the most-watched movie globally on HBO Max, according to FlixPatrol.
Is M3GAN 2.0 Worth Watching?
If you enjoyed the first M3GAN movie, the sequel is worth seeing, but go in knowing it’s not quite as good. The original was a really fun surprise, and the new one doesn’t quite reach that same level. A big part of this is that the first movie became a huge viral hit, especially on TikTok, and trying to recreate those moments – like the dancing – feels a bit unnatural this time around.
I noticed a big change in style from scary to more action-packed, and it definitely felt like they were going for that Terminator vibe – which sounded great, but didn’t quite land. Honestly, though, I had fun watching it, and it made me laugh. If you’re already paying for HBO Max or Netflix, it’s an easy watch and you’ll probably enjoy it – the doll character is still a standout, and that’s probably why it’s doing so well on those platforms.
Why Did M3GAN 2.0 Underperform At The Box Office?
The problems mentioned earlier led to less favorable reviews for M3GAN 2.0 – it received a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the original’s 93% – and ultimately, a lackluster performance in theaters. While the first M3GAN film became a huge viral hit, the sequel couldn’t recapture that excitement, even with a fast production schedule. Releasing the second movie in late June, during the busy summer season, instead of the calmer period of early January when the first film debuted, also likely hurt its chances, suggesting an overestimation of the franchise’s potential.
The recent issues have also impacted another planned movie. A spin-off film, called SOULM8TE, was originally set to release in January 2026, but Universal Pictures canceled its release just weeks before and dropped the project. While the film is finished, it doesn’t have a new release date scheduled, which could mean the M3GAN series won’t continue after all.
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2026-02-10 20:40