When the world said video game movies were cursed, Sonic the Hedgehog told them to hold his glowing blue beer. The first movie caught us by surprise and we were just as shocked when the sequel managed to do just as well. We’re now counting down the days to the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date. Surely the little mouse can’t stun us again?
The idea of three Sonic the Hedgehog movies would once have seemed pretty silly, but after two contenders for any list of the best video game movies, we can’t argue with the decision at all. The two new movies to date have earned more than $700m at the worldwide box office, which is why we’re here now talking about more. True to form for this little guy, it’s coming much faster than you thought.
What is the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date?
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 zooms into theaters on Wednesday, December 20, 2024. Get those Christmas cinema visits in the diary nice and early!
Paramount announced the sequel in February 2022, along with a Knuckles TV series. Considering how much money Sonic’s sequel made, the news of a third movie and other franchise expansions was hardly surprising and we’re delighted.
Returning director Jeff Fowler and his team began filming in August 2023 but, due to the 2023 Actors Strike, the movie chose to shoot CGI-focused scenes without actors first.
Now that the strikes are resolved, director Jeff Fowler confirmed in November 2023 that shooting is up and running. He’s still planning to hit that December 2024 release date, presumably because some of the more effects-heavy work was able to take place while the actors were off work. In Fowler’s Twitter post, we got a first glimpse at Shadow too!
Who’s in the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 cast?
Sonic fans will be pleased to learn that our two main pals, Ben Schwartz and James Marsden, are back on board as Sonic and Tom in the third movie.
Schwartz voices our titular blue hero, Sonic, while Marsden plays Sheriff Tom, Sonic’s best friend. Elba, who voices Knuckles, will also be coming back for the sequel, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey is also set to return to the voice booth as the adorable yellow fox Tails. We can’t have Sonic without his newly formed colorful gang, can we?
We can also rest easy knowing that some familiar human faces will be coming back too. Tika Sumpter as Tom’s wife, Maddie, will be back, along with her lovable sister Rachel, played by Natasha Rothwell. With Rachel in the film, we may also get to see Shemar Moore again as her fiancé and undercover GUN (the Guardian Units of Nations) agent.
Here is the confirmed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast list:
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski
- Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski
- Idris Elba as Knuckles
- Natasha Rothwell as Rachel
- Adam Pally as Wade Whipple
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone
- Tom Butler as Commander Walters
It is all pretty exciting, right? However, there is some heart-breaking news on the casting front for Sonic. Jim Carrey, who has been the perfect Dr. Robotnik over the last two Sonic movies, won’t return.
In a 2022 interview, Carrey revealed his intent to retire from acting following Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Carrey has been a huge part of why the first two Sonic movies worked, showing that his unique physical comedy works for the young audiences of today and nostalgic older folks who remember Ace Ventura as well.
But he’s ready to hang up that mustache for now, so we don’t expect to see him in the movie in any big capacity. Perhaps a cameo? We can’t ever rule out a little blast of Carrey, which is enough to make even an already good movie even better.
What is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 about?
Shadow will be the villain of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with the genetic experiment revealed at the end of the previous movie. We know he hates humans, so that doesn’t bode well for any of our buddies in this franchise.
The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ending saw Robotnik defeated once Knuckles, Tails, and Sonic teamed up to take him down. But the post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 also revealed a brand new villain, Shadow the Hedgehog.
In the games, Shadow is generally an anti-hero with a dark backstory. But despite his edgy style and attitude, he is normally on Sonic’s side… typically. However, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, an alliance probably won’t be on the cards for Sonic and Shadow, considering how the franchise is now looking toward a new baddie following Dr. Robotnik’s disappearance.
In terms of the human characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, stars Tika Sumpter and Natasha Rothwell in an interview told The Digital Fix what they hope for their characters in the sequel.
Sumpter said, “You see what Rachel and Maddie are capable of, and so I think seeing them in the driver’s seat of the action, even more, would be so incredible. Yeah, I just think it’d be badass and feminist to see sort of what happens when we’re calling the shots. And yeah, I again, I love this franchise so much, and everyone involved that like, it’s just a no-brainer to be a part of.”
Is there a Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer?
There’s no Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer yet, but we think we’ll have one by the summer of 2024.
As we mentioned above, the new film is set to hit the big screen next December, and promotional material will start popping up closer to the release. But while we’re waiting for that, have some fun with these clips of “Ugly Sonic” making a hilarious, self-referential appearance in Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Those teeth!
Where can I watch Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
You’ll be able to watch Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in cinemas when it releases on December 20, 2024.
Not long to wait, fingers crossed. It’s likely that the film will then later be available to watch on the streaming service Paramount Plus – similar to its predecessors. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is on the streaming service now. For insight on whether it’s worthy of a rewatch, be sure to read our Sonic the Hedgehog 2 review!
If you can’t get enough of the adorable hedgehog, we spoke to some of the second movie’s cast about the joy of entering Sonic’s world. So read our Colleen O’Shaughnessy interview about voicing Tails and our Ben Schwartz and James Marsden interview too.
We’ve also got a guide to eight cool Sonic toys and gifts for the young fans in your life and you can also find out about more of the best movies coming to cinemas soon, including 2024’s Avatar 3.