M3GAN: Horror Robot Doll Turns Meme Fame Into Box Office Hit

240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/12163/production/_128238047_2545_fp_00342a.jpg .jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/12163/production/_128238047_2545_fp_00342a.jpg 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/12163 /production/_128238047_2545_fp_00342a.jpg 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/12163/production/_128238047_2545_fp_00342a.jpg 976w" type="image/jpeg" src="https://ichef .bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/12163/production/_128238047_2545_fp_00342a.jpg" width="976" height="549" loading="eager" class="ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0"/>Source of image , Universal PicturesBy Ian YoungsEntertainment & arts reporter

M3GAN, a horror movie m about a seemingly sweet AI doll, became an instant viral hit last year when users rushed to recreate and rework a sinister and sassy dance routine from its trailer.

Now it followed that by beating expectations at the North American box office in its first weekend of release.

The film made $30.2m over the weekend, well above forecasts between $17m and $20m (£14m to 16 .5 million).

"Word of mouth is through the roof," said Jim Orr of his Universal studio.

It placed M3GAN at number two in the US and Canadian box office charts behind Avatar: The Way of Wate r, which cost $45 more. m (£37m) as it became the seventh highest-grossing film in history.