The critics have spoken, and M3GAN is a hit. Over at Rotten Tomatoes, the review aggregator website that compiles an average score for movies based on reviews from top critics, M3GAN has debuted with a near-perfect score. It’s currently sitting at 97% fresh with most critics agreeing that the horror flick is highly enjoyable, even if there’s a lot of camp that comes with the creepiness in the film.

“M3GAN may be silly but it’s a toy story like no other,” as Al Horner of Empire puts it.

“A satirical tale of treacherous technology in which the shocks and scares and even the cautionary notes are not lessened by the enjoyable vein of campy humor,” David Rooney of THR similarly stated.

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Appreciating the blend of humor and horror, Jeff Nelson of Showbiz CheatSheet also wrote in his review, “M3GAN is more of a thrilling black comedy than a horror film, exploding into an absolute laugh riot that finds the right balance between comedy and drama.”

“Move over Chucky, there’s a new doll in town and she can sing & dance!” glows Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky, appreciating how the PG-13 rating makes the film more accessible. “The perfect combination of humor and horror, M3GAN came to play. This movie is absolutely bonkers - and an absolute blast. Not TOO scary, it can be enjoyed by younger horror fans, too.”

Our own Will Sayre enjoyed the mix of frights and laughs as well. The review notes how the film is genuinely scary, even despite its more bizarre scenes such as the titular doll dancing. Sayre also hopes that the naysayers leery of seeing the film due to its PG-13 rating will give it a chance, otherwise they’d be missing something special.

“In the moments of violence, the film’s accompanying soundtrack will make you laugh out loud as M3GAN struts her stuff and takes out anyone in her way,” the review reads. “It’s certainly worth it to see a film like this in theaters. The audience reactions will surely be sheer entertainment alone.”

Sayre added, “M3GAN may not be a total gorefest if its PG-13 rating is any indication, but its filmmakers are standing by it. Don’t let the mild MPAA rating take you out of the fright-fest that should definitely ensue. If you love to be scared in theaters, you should probably see M3GAN before it’s too late.”

M3GAN Has Arrived

     Universal Pictures

Jason Blum and James Wan produced M3GAN, which is directed by Gerard Johnstone and scripted by Akela Cooper. The film follows 8-year-old Cady (Violet McGraw) as she’s gifted from her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams) a technologically-advanced doll with artificial intelligence to become her companion. Problems arise when M3GAN becomes a bit too protective of Cady, and that means certain death for anyone the doll deems to be a threat.

M3GAN officially premieres in movie theaters on Jan. 6, 2023. You can watch the film’s official trailer below.