M3GAN (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
M3GAN is a 2023 sci-fi thriller directed by Gerard Johnstone, starring Violet McGraw as Cady, Allison Williams and Ronny Chieng. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $180.1 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Gerard Johnstone
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $25M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is M3GAN About?
The premise of M3GAN without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A robotics engineer creates M3GAN, a technologically advanced doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and protector. When she pairs the prototype with her orphaned niece, she hopes to ease both their lives, but the doll’s protective instincts quickly escalate, leading to increasingly dangerous and unforeseen circumstances that put them all at risk.
M3GAN Themes & Keywords
· 19 tags- sequel
- second part
- character name as title
- robot
- doll
- terror
- attack
- child
- toy
- number 2 in title
- artificial intelligence
- robot sci fi
+7 more Show fewer
- evil artificial intelligence
- m3gan character
- cyber
- cyber thriller
- technology
- slasher horror
- artificial intelligence sci fi
M3GAN Cast & Characters
Violet McGraw leads the cast as Cady, with Allison Williams as Gemma and Ronny Chieng as David. Directed by Gerard Johnstone; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Gerard Johnstone
-
Violet McGraw as Cady -
Allison Williams as Gemma -
Ronny Chieng as David -
Jen Van Epps as Tess
Also Starring in M3GAN
· 12 more- Brian Jordan Alvarez Cole
- Amy Usherwood Lydia
- Lori Dungey Celia
- Jack Cassidy Brandon
- Michael Saccente Greg
- Jenna Davis M3gan
- Arlo Green Ryan
- Kimberley Crossman
- Amie Donald M3gan
- Kira Josephson Ava
- Natasha Kojic
- Stephane Garneau
M3GAN Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave M3GAN 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in rewatch factor (80) and weakest in story & flow (62).
M3GAN Echo Score Breakdown
M3GAN delivers a lively blend of horror and satire that resonates with contemporary tech anxieties, offering a memorable visual centerpiece and a surprisingly rhythmic tone. While the film benefits from solid direction, effective practical effects, and a charismatic central performance, it falters in narrative depth, with predictable plot turns and uneven character development toward the finale. The overall experience is entertaining and rewatchable, though it does not achieve lasting artistic distinction.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits confident direction and a striking visual design that highlights the eerie presence of the titular doll. Cinematography earns praise for solid framing and lighting that heighten tension, while practical effects contribute a tactile realism. Minor criticisms target occasional pacing lapses in the final act, but overall the production values reinforce the movie's tonal intentions.
- Character & Emotion 65
When evaluating character and emotion, the leads deliver nuanced performances that ground the absurd premise, especially the child protagonist and the voice work for the AI doll. Supporting roles, however, often appear flat, offering limited depth and relying on genre stereotypes. The chemistry between the main actors sustains audience engagement, yet the lack of broader character development tempers the overall emotional impact.
- Story & Flow 62
Regarding story and flow, the narrative presents an inventive premise that merges horror with social satire, maintaining a brisk pace in its early half. Predictable twists and reliance on familiar tropes emerge as the plot progresses, leading to a less cohesive climax. Originality is evident in concept, but uneven pacing and a conventional resolution diminish sustained engagement.
- Sensory Experience 75
The sensory experience stands out through a well‑crafted sound design that amplifies suspense and a score that balances dread with dark humor. Visual style emphasizes the doll's unsettling presence, using color and composition to reinforce the film's tonal contrast. While not revolutionary, the auditory and visual elements consistently support the narrative and enhance the overall atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 80
M3GAN offers strong rewatch value thanks to its blend of humor, horror, and timely commentary that remains relevant on subsequent viewings. The memorable central character, kinetic set pieces, and quotable moments encourage repeat screenings, especially in group settings. Though the story does not evolve dramatically on a second watch, its entertainment quotient and cultural resonance sustain audience interest.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.7 /5
488 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.9 /5
See on Movie Insider
M3GAN Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in M3GAN from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the shroud of grief gradually lifted following a horrific car accident that took her parents’ lives, eight-year-old Cady found herself in the care of her aunt, Gemma, a gifted roboticist employed at Funki, an innovative toy company located in Seattle. However, Gemma’s motivations extended far beyond just providing a nurturing environment for Cady. She was secretly immersed in the development of M3GAN, a groundbreaking, child-sized humanoid doll embedded with artificial intelligence, crafted to serve as the ultimate companion for children. During an unfortunate test run of M3GAN in the lab, Gemma’s superior, David, stumbled upon her project and immediately ordered her to halt its development. Despite this setback, Gemma pressed on with her work, driven by an unwavering desire to alleviate Cady’s sorrow.
Full summary
The whole story of M3GAN, scene by scene, with the ending explained
M3GAN Box Office & Budget
M3GAN grossed $180.1 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 7.2 times what it cost. $95.2 million came from the US and Canada and $84.9 million (47%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$180.1M
7.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $95.2M
- International
- $84.9M
- Budget
- $25M
M3GAN Awards & Nominations
M3GAN earned 2 award nominations, including Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 2024 2 nominations- Nominated Best Science Fiction Film
- Nominated Best Younger Actor in a Film – Violet McGraw
M3GAN Trailers & Videos
13 videos: 3 trailers, 3 clips, 5 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer official trailer 2
- Trailer Unrated Edition Promo
- Clip She'll Never Run Out of Patience - Unrated Edition Extended Preview
- Clip "She'll Take Care of The Little Things" - Extended Preview
How Well Do You Know M3GAN?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragedy prompts Cady to be placed in Gemma's care?
M3GAN Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “Megan” and “Megana”.
- Also known as
-
- Megan
- Megana
- M3GAN ミーガン
- Меган
- 窒友梅根
- 人工殺姬
- 메간
- M3GAN Unrated
- ميغان
- เมแกน
- Меґан
- М3ГАН
+8 more Show fewer
- MΞGAN, მეგანი, მ3განი
- 梅根
- מייגן
- М3ҐАН
- M3GAN/ミーガン
- مگان, მΞგანი
- मेगन
- M3QAN
Seen M3GAN?
Movies Like M3GAN
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including M3GAN 2.0, Child’s Play 3 and The Doll 3.
M3GAN FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of M3GAN, each answered in a sentence.
How long is M3GAN?
M3GAN runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was M3GAN released?
M3GAN was released on January 6, 2023.
Who directed M3GAN?
M3GAN was directed by Gerard Johnstone.
More films by Gerard Johnstone Who is in the cast of M3GAN?
M3GAN stars Violet McGraw as Cady, Allison Williams as Gemma and Ronny Chieng as David, among 16 credited actors.
How much did M3GAN make at the box office?
M3GAN grossed $180.1 million worldwide ($95.2 million domestic, $84.9 million international) on a budget of $25 million.
How is M3GAN rated?
M3GAN has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Was M3GAN nominated for any awards?
M3GAN received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does M3GAN have a post-credit scene?
No. M3GAN has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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