M3GAN (film series)

M3GAN is an American science fiction horror franchise^[1][2][3] created by Akela Cooper and James Wan that has been produced by Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster since 2022. The series consists of three theatrical films, with a plot that follows a toy company named Funki's development of lifelike companions through robotic androids, and the perilous discovery that the use of artificial intelligence functionality results in unpredictable malevolent results. The films have grossed over $220 million worldwide on a combined budget of $37 million.

With Amie Donald providing M3GAN's physical performance and Jenna Davis providing the character's voice, and also starring Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, the franchise's first installment, M3GAN, in 2023 was met with generally positive reviews.^[4] Its financial success resulted in the associated studios fast-tracking the development of both a sequel, M3GAN 2.0 (2025), and a spin-off, SOULM8TE.^[5][6]

Gemma, a robotics engineer with a promising career, has her life turned upside down when she becomes the legal guardian of her newly-orphaned niece named Cady. Unsure of her own parenting abilities and seeking for a companion for Cady, Gemma pairs her niece with a prototype robotic doll enhanced with newly developed lifelike AI technology called M3GAN. As a profound bond between the doll and her niece develops, Gemma presents the observed advances in the project during a presentation at work. Determined to redefine what it means to be a family, Gemma and Cady both begin to discover that the doll's programming is more advanced than expected. M3GAN starts to behave in shockingly unexpected ways, which causes Gemma to question their safety and what its artificial intelligence is capable of.^[7][8][9]

In January 2023, Gerard Johnstone confirmed discussions with the associated studios for a sequel movie, while James Wan explained that he has an "idea of where sequels would go".^[10] A few weeks later, Universal confirmed a release date and announced the official title as M3GAN 2.0. Akela Cooper returned to write the script and Johnstone also returned to direct.^[5] In October 2024 at New York Comic Con, the primary cast (including Allison Williams and Violet McGraw) was confirmed to be reprising their respective roles while primary photography was announced as having been completed.^[11] Marketing for the movie began in April 2025 at CinemaCon; the film's first official trailer was released online by the studio.^[12]

M3GAN 2.0 was released theatrically on June 27, 2025.^[13]

In June 2024, a spin-off movie titled SOULM8TE was announced as being in development, which was to be directed by Kate Dolan from a script she wrote based on an earlier draft written by Rafael Jordan, from an original story co-authored by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Jordan. The plot centers around a man who acquires a life-like android doll as a coping strategy to overcome the death of his beloved wife. While attempting to enhance the model with true sentience, however, he unintentionally turns the love-machine into a rampaging deadly killer. The movie is described as a technological twist on the erotic thrillers of the 1990s.^[6] In August 2024, Lily Sullivan was cast in the lead role as the artificially intelligent android.^[14] The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and Atomic Monster Productions.^[6] Later that month, David Rysdahl and Claudia Doumit joined the cast.^[15][16] Principal photography had been completed by November 2024.^[17] Marketing for the movie commenced in April 2025 at CinemaCon, where the first official teaser trailer debuted for those in attendance.^[18][19]

SOULM8TE was scheduled for theatrical release on January 9, 2026, before being pulled from the release calendar in December 2025 with Universal seeking a new distributor to take onto the film.^[20][21]

In December 2024, Johnstone stated that there were ongoing discussions with all the creatives involved in the first three films to continue expanding the franchise with additional installments. The director stated he would like to see a future M3GAN sequel, with the android character among a dystopian future in the style of the Mad Max franchise, acknowledging that one day the concept may be explored in a future story. Allison Williams expressed interest in developing additional spin-offs following the release of SOULM8TE, stating she would like to see each of the installments culminate in a crossover movie. Comparing the idea to a Marvel Cinematic Universe–style movie, the actress asked what the primary antagonist of such a project would be, saying: "What is the Thanos equivalent?"^[2]