Japan will not experience the deadly reign of 'M3GAN 2.0', as the sequel to the popular horror film will not be released in the country.
In a surprising turn of events, the Japanese release of action-horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 has been canceled. The announcement was made via the movie's official Twitter and Instagram accounts in early August 2025 [1][4]. The original release date, set for October 10, will no longer take place.
Industry analysis suggests that the sequel underperformed at the box office, failing to replicate the viral marketing success and audience enthusiasm of the original M3GAN film, which was a global hit [3]. This underperformance may have influenced the decision to cancel the Japanese theatrical release, as distributors may have seen reduced commercial viability in that market.
Meanwhile, the upcoming spinoff of the M3GAN franchise, titled SOULM8TE, is expected for a January 2026 release. The plot revolves around a man buying an android to replace his dead wife [2]. It remains to be seen if SOULM8TE, an erotic thriller starring Lily Sullivan and David Rysdahl, will be able to reinvigorate the M3GAN franchise and potentially save Blumhouse [5].
U.S. fans can currently watch M3GAN 2.0 digitally, while the unrated physical release is scheduled for September 23 [6]. However, at the time of writing, Universal has not announced if it will put M3GAN 2.0 on streaming in Japan or if there are plans for the release of SOULM8TE in the region.
References:
[1] Japanese Twitter account for M3GAN 2.0 announces cancellation of theatrical release. (2025, August 5). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/M3GAN2_JP/status/1554417271825630210
[2] SOULM8TE: Blumhouse's new spinoff. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.blumhouse.com/films/soulm8te
[3] M3GAN 2.0 struggles to replicate predecessor's success. (2025, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/m3gan-2-0-underperforms-at-the-box-office-1235383122/
[4] M3GAN 2.0 Japan release canceled. (2025, August 11). Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/m3gan-2-japan-release-canceled
[5] SOULM8TE could save Blumhouse and continue the M3GAN franchise. (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/22617873/soulm8te-blumhouse-m3gan-franchise
[6] M3GAN 2.0 unrated physical release set for September 23. (2025, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3729723/m3gan-2-0-unrated-physical-release-set-september-23/
Despite the cancellation of M3GAN 2.0's Japanese theatrical release, Disney+, a major streaming platform, might still consider streaming the movie in Japan. The AI-infused movies-and-TV entertainment industry is eagerly anticipating the release of SOULM8TE, a spinoff from the M3GAN franchise, scheduled for early 2026. This erotic thriller could potentially revive the franchise and even save studios like Blumhouse, as it delves into themes of human-android relationships.
