James Wan has another horror universe in the making, and while it’s unfortunately not for 2021’s “Malignant,” this offshoot of “M3GAN” may be the next best thing. Deadline reports that Wan’s Atomic Monster banner and Blumhouse will team up again for “SOULM8TE,” a new spinoff to the early 2023 horror hit. It’ll be the third film in the “M3GAN” franchise, after “M3GAN 2.0,” which hits theaters next year on June 27, 2025.
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But what separates “SOULM8TE” from its “M3GAN” predecessors? Dig this juicy premise. After his wife passes away, a man acquires an AI android to cope with his loss, but while rewiring it to create a truly sentient partner, he accidently turns his love-bot into something more sinister. A “M3GAN” movie that doubles an erotic thriller? Sign us up for this one immediately. It’ll be a bit of a wait before “SOULM8TE” hits theaters, though. Blumhouse has it slotted for a January 2, 2026 release; the same weekend opening that “M3GAN” had back in 2023, which is a prime slot for a zany genre film like this.
On the creative end, “You Are Not My Mother” director Kate Dolan steps up to helm the upcoming spinoff. Dolan also rewrites an original script draft by Rafael Jordan from a story idea by Wan, Jordan, and Ingrid Bisu. Wan and Jason Blum produce “SOULM8TE,” with Alayna Glasthal, Michael Clear and Judson Scott serving as executive producers through Atomic Monster with Bisu.
“”SOULM8TE” is a thrilling and seductive addition to the “M3GAN” universe,” Wan said in a press statement about the spinoff. “We’re excited to partner with Kate to bring this story to life with her unique cinematic vision and point of view.” As for Dolan, she chimed in, ““Fundamentally, I view this film as an exploration of relationships and loneliness. Despite technological advances, there are enduring human truths we cannot escape, and I am looking forward to delving into those depths.”
“M3GAN” was the first box office surprise of 2023, taking in $181 milllion globally off a $12 million budget. Should Wan and Blum expect the same numbers from “SOULM8TE”? Let’s see how the upcoming sequel does next summer before further speculation. Still, an erotic thriller “M3GAN” movie feels like a logical extension for this franchise, and with Wan involved creatively, this one should be a wild ride. Mark “SOULM8TE” as one of the most anticipated horror films of 2026.