Metagenes was an Athenian comic poet active in the late 5th century BCE, during the period known as Old Comedy. He was a contemporary and rival of the more famous Aristophanes, and he competed in the dramatic festivals of Athens. According to the ancient encyclopedia called the Suda, he came from a family of comic poets: he was the son of Aristophon and the father of Nicophon. The Suda also credits him with writing 11 plays, though only two titles survive with certainty.

His known works are Thouriopersai ("The Men of Thurii and Persia") and Philothytes ("The Sacrifice-Lover"). The rest of his writing exists only in small fragments quoted by later ancient authors. These fragments suggest his comedies engaged with contemporary Athenian life, politics, and interests abroad. For instance, the title Thouriopersai references both an Athenian colony in Italy and the Persian Empire, indicating plots that touched on Athens' wider world.

Metagenes represents the many successful comic poets of his era whose full works are now lost. His recorded victories and mentions by contemporaries like the comic poet Plato confirm he was a recognized figure in the competitive theatrical culture of classical Athens. Modern scholars study such fragmentary authors to understand the full scope of Old Comedy beyond its sole surviving complete playwright, Aristophanes.