Summary
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is only one day away from releasing in theatres worldwide, but Paramount Pictures is already confident enough in the new movie to give a fourth film the go-ahead.
Paramount began building out itsSonic the Hedgehoguniverse in 2020 with the release of the first film adapting SEGA’s classic mascot platformer for the screen. The film establishes a world where Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is ousted from his home and finds a family on Earth with James Marsden and Tika Sumpter’s Tom and Maddie Wachowski. In the secondSonic the Hedgehogfilm, Sonic picked up friends Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) and halted the plans of Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). A TV series expansion of theSonic the Hedgehogworld, titledKnuckles, was also released earlier in 2024, giving Knuckles the Echidna his spotlight.Sonic the Hedgehog 3will be released on December 20 and introduces the fan-favorite characterShadow the Hedgehog, portrayed by Keanu Reeves.
Paramount Confirms Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Ahead ofSonic the Hedgehog 3’sdebut, Paramount has confirmed,via Variety, thatSonic the Hedgehog 4is moving forward. No plot details about the film were given, but the outlet did report that the fourthSonicmovie is aiming for a Spring 2027 release date, so it is still some time away. The confirmation comes ahead of an expected $55-60 million box officedebut forSonic the Hedgehog 3, which has also garnered the most critical acclaim of the trilogy with 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some of thecast members ofSonic the Hedgehog 3shared their excitement for the fourth film. Star Ben Schwartz posted the Variety headline on X saying “THIS. IS. NOT. A. DRILL.” Tails’ voice actor Colleen O’Shaughnessey shared on herInstagram story“What the what? Woohoo!” The film is still early in development so it’s unclear who will be writing the script of whether Jeff Fowler (who directed all three Sonic films) will return for the fourth.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 May Set Up The Fourth Film In Its Post-Credits Scenes
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is expected to have multiple post-creditsscenes that will likely set up the future of the franchise. Previous after-credits moments have introduced upcoming characters like Tails and Shadow, so speculation is rife about which new SEGA characters will be teased forSonic the Hedgehog 4. IfSonic the Hedgehog 4sticks to its Spring 2027 release date, it will be the longest gap between films in the franchise, with the first film releasing in 2020, the second in 2022, and the third in 2024. Reeves’ Shadow the Hedgehog is already a breakout star from the third film, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be kept around for further installments.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3releases in theaters on December 20.Sonic the Hedgehog 4is scheduled for 2027.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sets up a new threat for Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails by introducing Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow presents such a big danger to planet Earth, that the heroes have to team up with Dr. Robotnik.
