On the surface, M3GAN appeared to be just another low-budget horror flick from Blumhouse. While it featured a quirky concept and a dash of dark comedy, few anticipated the cultural sensation it would become. That all changed when the trailer dropped, instantly going viral thanks to a brief shot of the android character’s now-iconic dance. This unexpected moment sparked a global frenzy, cementing M3GAN as a standout in modern horror.
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Now, three years later, M3GAN 2.0 arrives with a trailer that is louder, glossier, and unmistakably crafted with its online legacy in mind. Set to a campy remix of “Oops!… I Did It Again”, it leans heavily into LGBTQ+ cultural references — and yes, the dance returns, now in glorious slow-motion. The sequel appears more self-aware, embracing the comedic undertones and heightened stylisation that resonated with queer audiences and meme culture alike.
The original M3GAN grossed $182m (£136m) globally on a modest $12m (£9m) budget, with much of its success owed to the internet’s rapid embrace of its eccentricities. LGBTQ+ fans immediately dubbed the android a “gay icon”, and her blend of sass, deadpan humour, and theatricality struck a chord. The dance became a social media sensation, spawning hashtags and TikTok videos that reached billions. While star Allison Williams admitted there was hesitation about revealing the dance in the trailer, it ultimately proved a marketing masterstroke.
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With M3GAN 2.0, Blumhouse is clearly capitalising on that viral legacy. While director Gerard Johnstone claims he avoided creating material purely for meme potential, the film is already being positioned as a referential, crowd-pleasing spectacle. Its release, timed with the end of Pride Month, reflects the franchise’s cultural savviness. Whether or not the sequel delivers the same thrilling balance of horror and humour, one thing is certain — M3GAN is back, fiercer and more fabulous than ever.
