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Sci-fi thriller

M3GAN (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

M3GAN (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$180.1M
award nominations
2
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M3GAN (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Gerard Johnstone
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • evil artificial intelligence
  • m3gan character
  • cyber
  • cyber thriller
  • technology
  • slasher horror
  • artificial intelligence sci fi
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Cast & crew

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.

Ratings

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).

72 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$180.1M

7.2× its budget

US & Canada
$95.2M
International
$84.9M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

M3GAN Awards & Nominations

M3GAN earned 2 award nominations, including Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

M3GAN Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 3 trailers, 3 clips, 5 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 13 videos
official trailer
  • 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
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragedy prompts Cady to be placed in Gemma's care?

Details

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
  • MΞGAN, მეგანი, მ3განი
  • 梅根
  • מייגן
  • М3ҐАН
  • M3GAN/ミーガン
  • مگان, მΞგანი
  • मेगन
  • M3QAN

Seen M3GAN?

FAQ

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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