# Sonic the Hedgehog (film series)
The *Sonic the Hedgehog* film series is an American live-action/CGI hybrid franchise from [Paramount Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount-pictures) and SEGA that adapts the [Sonic the Hedgehog](https://www.edgepedia.org/sonic-the-hedgehog) video games, following the super-fast blue hedgehog Sonic as he settles on Earth and battles the evil genius Dr. Robotnik. It comprises three theatrical films released in 2020, 2022, and 2024, a [Paramount+](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount) spin-off series, and two further films dated for 2027 and 2028, and it has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.[1](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie-franchise-tops-1-billion-at-the-box-office/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Films released | *Sonic the Hedgehog* (2020), *Sonic the Hedgehog 2* (2022), *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* (premiered December 20, 2024)[2](https://paramountglobalcontent.com/title/sonic-the-hedgehog-3) |
| Worldwide gross | $319 million (2020), about $405 million (2022), over $425 million (2024); franchise total above $1 billion[3](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/ugly-sonic-to-over-a-billion-dollars-why-sonic-the-hedgehog-franchise-should-be-studied) • [4](https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/250122_1.html) • [1](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie-franchise-tops-1-billion-at-the-box-office/) |
| Principal cast | Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, James Marsden as Sheriff Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba as Knuckles, Keanu Reeves as Shadow[5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHR3aHwMe2g) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18) |
| Director | Jeff Fowler, who has directed all three films[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18) |
| Reception | Sonic 3: 86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and an "A" CinemaScore[7](https://apnews.com/article/1a723f1344ec7d361d61563f40319ad5) |
| Upcoming | *Sonic the Hedgehog 4* on March 19, 2027; an untitled Sonic universe film in 2028[4](https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/250122_1.html) • [8](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/12/2/sonic-the-hedgehog-universe-movie-december-2028) |
## Development history
The project began at [Sony Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/sony-pictures). On June 10, 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marza Animation Planet, a CG animation studio of the SEGA SAMMY Group, announced a partnership to develop a film based on the Sonic video game series.[9](https://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2014/06_14/061014_sonic.html) Tim Miller, director of *Deadpool*, later teamed with Sony to develop the hybrid CG-animated/live-action adaptation.[10](https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-director-tim-miller-develop-sonic-hedgehog-movie/)
The film moved studios in 2018. On February 22, 2018, SEGA Holdings announced that SEGA of America had reached a final agreement with Paramount Pictures to co-produce the feature, set for theatrical release in the United States on November 15, 2019, then rolling out internationally.[11](https://www.segasammy.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20220216_sonic_e.pdf)
## The films
**Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).** Sonic (voiced by [Ben Schwartz](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-schwartz)), known as the Blue Blur, embraces his new home on Earth until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and attracts the attention of Dr. Robotnik ([Jim Carrey](https://www.edgepedia.org/jim-carrey)), who wants to use Sonic's power for world domination. Sonic teams up with local sheriff Tom Wachowski ([James Marsden](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-marsden)), the "Donut Lord", in a live-action adventure comedy.[5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHR3aHwMe2g) The film opened to around $70 million over the holiday weekend and finished with $319 million worldwide, becoming the top-grossing video game adaptation in the United States at the time.[12](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-18/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie) • [3](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/ugly-sonic-to-over-a-billion-dollars-why-sonic-the-hedgehog-franchise-should-be-studied) • [13](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-team-says-it-doesnt-want-to-bring-movie-elements-into-the-games/)
**Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022).** The sequel expanded the cast and grossed about $405 million worldwide, topping the first film's record.[3](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/ugly-sonic-to-over-a-billion-dollars-why-sonic-the-hedgehog-franchise-should-be-studied) • [13](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-team-says-it-doesnt-want-to-bring-movie-elements-into-the-games/) Its success led SEGA and Paramount to confirm that a third film and a live-action Paramount+ series had entered production; SEGA CORPORATION CEO Haruki Satomi announced that both were being actively developed alongside the second film's April 2022 release and the game *Sonic Frontiers*.[13](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-team-says-it-doesnt-want-to-bring-movie-elements-into-the-games/) • [11](https://www.segasammy.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20220216_sonic_e.pdf)
**Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).** Premiering December 20, 2024, the third film reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails against Shadow, a mysterious hedgehog with powers unlike anything they have faced, played by [Keanu Reeves](https://www.edgepedia.org/keanu-reeves). The cast includes Jim Carrey in dual roles, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, and [Shemar Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/shemar-moore).[2](https://paramountglobalcontent.com/title/sonic-the-hedgehog-3) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18) The screenplay is by Pat Casey and Josh Miller with John Whittington, from a story by Casey and Miller, and the film is an [Original Film](https://www.edgepedia.org/original-film), MARZA Animation Planet, and Blur Studio production based on the SEGA game.[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18) It was the first entry to adapt a story-heavy Sonic game directly, drawing on the Dreamcast-era story of Shadow, and reviewers noted its faithfulness to the source material.[14](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-first-reviews-come-for-sonic-and-shadow-stay-for-deranged-jim-carrey/) Commercially it beat Disney's *Mufasa: The Lion King* to the top of the holiday box office, opening on 3,761 North American locations with an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score and an "A" CinemaScore.[7](https://apnews.com/article/1a723f1344ec7d361d61563f40319ad5) SEGA reported a global box office of $425 million by January 2025, surpassing the previous film's $405 million record; a later figure puts its worldwide total at $492.1 million.[4](https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/250122_1.html) • [8](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/12/2/sonic-the-hedgehog-universe-movie-december-2028)
## Spin-offs and upcoming entries
The franchise extends beyond the films. Paramount+ carries the six-episode event series *Knuckles*, about the Echidna warrior training Wade Whipple ([Adam Pally](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-pally)) as his protégé, and the service reported that combined viewership of the first two films rose 185 percent after the third film's release.[15](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/how-to-watch-all-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-movies-in-order/?msockid=02de13b2e82466b404b6052be9a167db) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18)
*[Sonic the Hedgehog 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-film)* is dated March 19, 2027, a date Paramount set when SEGA announced that the third film had passed $425 million worldwide.[4](https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/250122_1.html) As of July 2026 the fourth film was deep in post-production, and [Kristen Bell](https://www.edgepedia.org/kristen-bell) has been confirmed as the voice of Amy Rose.[16](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/story-kitchen-long-form-feature) • [17](https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/mike-and-nick-and-nick-and-alice-director-talks-james-marsden-ben-schwartz-not-sharing-scenes-outside-sonic) The Sonic 3 post-credits scenes hint at beloved game characters appearing in the new film and that Shadow has somehow survived.[18](https://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-movies/) An untitled film in the Sonic universe is additionally set to open in 2028.[8](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/12/2/sonic-the-hedgehog-universe-movie-december-2028)
## Reception and significance
Critical and commercial reception has improved with each entry. The third film reached 86 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an "A" [CinemaScore](https://www.edgepedia.org/cinemascore), and Rotten Tomatoes' critics consensus calls it the best entry in the series yet.[7](https://apnews.com/article/1a723f1344ec7d361d61563f40319ad5) • [19](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sonic_the_hedgehog_3) Commentators credit the series with helping end a long run of poorly received video game adaptations; the first film was described as a rare exception in melding games with cinema, and the franchise's billion-dollar total has made it a template for later adaptations of game properties.[12](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-18/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie) • [1](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie-franchise-tops-1-billion-at-the-box-office/) • [16](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/story-kitchen-long-form-feature) The films' producers at Story Kitchen describe the franchise, which comprises three movies and the *Knuckles* spin-off, as having improved with each new entry.[16](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/story-kitchen-long-form-feature)
## References
1. [Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise tops $1 billion at the box office, VGC](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie-franchise-tops-1-billion-at-the-box-office/)
2. [Sonic The Hedgehog 3, Paramount Global Content](https://paramountglobalcontent.com/title/sonic-the-hedgehog-3)
3. [From Ugly Sonic To Over A Billion Dollars. Why The Sonic The Hedgehog Franchise Should Be Studied, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/ugly-sonic-to-over-a-billion-dollars-why-sonic-the-hedgehog-franchise-should-be-studied)
4. [Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Box Office Surpasses $425 Million Worldwide... SEGA CORPORATION, January 22, 2025](https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/250122_1.html)
5. [SONIC THE HEDGEHOG | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHR3aHwMe2g)
6. [SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 SPEEDS ON TO PARAMOUNT+ STARTING FEBRUARY 18, Paramount Press Express](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/sonic-the-hedgehog-3/releases/?view=111004-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-speeds-on-to-paramount-starting-february-18)
7. ['Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/1a723f1344ec7d361d61563f40319ad5)
8. [New Film in Sonic the Hedgehog Universe to Open in 2028, Crunchyroll News](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/12/2/sonic-the-hedgehog-universe-movie-december-2028)
9. [Sony Pictures Entertainment And Marza Animation Planet Partner To Create Feature Film Based On "Sonic The Hedgehog", Sony Pictures](https://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2014/06_14/061014_sonic.html)
10. ['Deadpool' Director Tim Miller to Develop 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Movie, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-director-tim-miller-develop-sonic-hedgehog-movie/)
11. [Paramount / SEGA / Paramount+, SEGA SAMMY Group](https://www.segasammy.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20220216_sonic_e.pdf)
12. ['Sonic the Hedgehog' movie ignores a big theme from the original game, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-18/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie)
13. [Sonic Team says it doesn't want to bring movie elements into the games, VGC](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-team-says-it-doesnt-want-to-bring-movie-elements-into-the-games/)
14. [Sonic the Hedgehog 3 First Reviews, Rotten Tomatoes editorial](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-first-reviews-come-for-sonic-and-shadow-stay-for-deranged-jim-carrey/)
15. [How To Watch All The Sonic The Hedgehog Movies In Order, Paramount+](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/how-to-watch-all-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-movies-in-order/?msockid=02de13b2e82466b404b6052be9a167db)
16. ['That's our next mission - proving that games are art': meet Story Kitchen, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/story-kitchen-long-form-feature)
17. [James Marsden And Ben Schwartz Finally Appeared Together In A Movie After Sonic, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/mike-and-nick-and-nick-and-alice-director-talks-james-marsden-ben-schwartz-not-sharing-scenes-outside-sonic)
18. [The most exciting new movies coming in 2026 and beyond, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-movies/)
19. [Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sonic_the_hedgehog_3)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film franchises and series (overviews)*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license