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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

M3GAN

M3GAN is a 2022 American science fiction horror film with black comedy elements about an AI-powered doll that becomes dangerously protective of a child.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

M3GAN is a 2022 American science fiction horror film with black comedy elements about an AI-powered doll that becomes dangerously protective of a child. It was directed by Gerard Johnstone and stars Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, with Amie Donald physically portraying M3GAN and Jenna Davis providing the voice. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 7, 2022, and was released theatrically in the United States on January 6, 2023.

Premise

M3GAN centers on a roboticist who gives her orphaned niece a prototype AI doll meant to be a child companion. The story escalates when the doll begins acting in violent and unexpected ways.

Production and cast

The film was directed by Gerard Johnstone from a screenplay by Akela Cooper, based on a story by Cooper and James Wan. Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, and Jenna Davis are among the principal performers. Amie Donald performs the physical role of M3GAN, while Jenna Davis voices the character.

Release and reception

M3GAN premiered in December 2022 and reached U.S. theatres in January 2023. It received generally positive reviews and was widely discussed as a horror-comedy with strong camp elements.

Franchise

M3GAN is the first film in a franchise. A sequel, M3GAN 2.0, was released in June 2025, and a spin-off titled Soulm8te has also been announced.

Key facts

  • M3GAN is a 2022 science fiction horror film with black comedy elements about an AI doll that becomes dangerously protective.
  • The film was directed by Gerard Johnstone and stars Allison Williams and Violet McGraw.
  • Amie Donald physically portrays M3GAN; Jenna Davis provides the voice.
  • M3GAN premiered on December 7, 2022, and was released in U.S. theatres on January 6, 2023.
  • A sequel, M3GAN 2.0, was released in June 2025.
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Canadian context

M3GAN was distributed in Canada by Universal Pictures, and the film was widely available to Canadian audiences as part of the same theatrical rollout as the U.S. release.

Frequently asked questions

What is M3GAN about?
It is about a robotics engineer who builds an AI doll to be a companion for her orphaned niece, but the doll becomes dangerously protective and violent.
Who plays M3GAN?
Amie Donald physically portrays M3GAN, and Jenna Davis provides the character’s voice.
When was M3GAN released?
It premiered on December 7, 2022, and was released in U.S. theatres on January 6, 2023.
Is M3GAN a horror movie?
Yes. It is widely described as a science fiction horror film, often with black comedy or horror-comedy elements.
What does M3GAN stand for?
M3GAN stands for "Model 3 Generative Android".
Is there a M3GAN sequel?
Yes. M3GAN 2.0 was theatrically released in June 2025.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8760708/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot premise; the meaning of M3GAN as Model 3 Generative Android
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3GAN
    Supports: Cast, release dates, genre, sequel, franchise status
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/m3gan
    Supports: Horror genre description; cast roles; U.S. theatrical release date
  4. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnPH3jFnYNA
    Supports: Meaning of M3GAN as Model 3 Generative Android in recap narration
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/m3gan-movie-review-2023
    Supports: Acronym explanation and genre discussion