Mark your calendars, Sonic fans! The beloved blue blur is set to race back into theaters with "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" on March 19, 2027. Paramount has officially locked in this date, giving us a thrilling two-year countdown until we see Sonic in action once again. While details beyond the release date remain under wraps, the anticipation is palpable.
The decision to greenlight another installment comes as no surprise, especially after the resounding success of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which raked in an impressive $218 million domestically and soared past $420 million worldwide. This latest film not only outshone its predecessor, which earned a solid $148 million, but it also cemented its place as the highest-grossing Sonic movie to date. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the initial controversy over Sonic's design, which was significantly altered in post-production to better align with fan expectations.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" also clinched the title of the second highest-grossing video game movie in North America, trailing only behind the animated "Super Mario Bros. Movie." This success continues the storied rivalry between Nintendo and Sega, now playing out on the big screen.
The live-action Sonic franchise has evolved significantly since its inception, now boasting three feature films and a spinoff TV show, "Knuckles," streaming on Paramount+. Rooted in the iconic Sega video game series, these films chronicle the adventures of Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, as he battles his arch-nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey. With each new movie, the franchise has expanded its universe, introducing beloved characters like Tails, voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Knuckles, brought to life by Idris Elba. The latest addition, Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves, made his debut in "Sonic the Hedgehog 3."
While "Sonic 3" has already teased the introduction of another character to the franchise, we'll keep that a surprise. For those eager to learn more, you can delve into our new characters guide at your own risk. Don't forget to check out our comprehensive review of "Sonic 3" as well.
