Sonic the Hedgehog (film series)

Films

In 2013, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired the rights to produce and distribute a Sonic film.^[5] On June 10, 2014, a live-action animated film was announced as a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Marza Animation Planet, a Japan-based subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings which had produced CGI cutscenes for several Sonic games.^[6] It would be produced by Neal H. Moritz by his Original Film banner alongside Takeshi Ito, Mie Onishi, and Toru Nakahara, and written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux.^[6] In February 2016, Sega CEO Hajime Satomi said the film was scheduled for 2018.^[7] Blur Studio's Tim Miller and Jeff Fowler were hired in 2016 to develop it, with the film being the latter's feature directorial debut and Miller serving as executive producer. Blur Studio previously produced cutscenes for the games Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), for which Fowler directed cutscenes, and Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).^[8] Patrick Casey, Josh Miller, and Oren Uziel were writing the screenplay, while Casey and Miller wrote the story.^[8][9]

On October 2, 2017, Paramount Pictures announced that they had acquired the rights after Sony put the film in turnaround.^[10] Filming began in September 2018.^[11] Following the release of the first trailer in April 2019, the film was delayed from its November 2019 release date to re-design Sonic after his original design was heavily criticized.^[12] The film was released in February 2020 to a mixed-to-positive reception. The film features a post-credits scene featuring Miles "Tails" Prower, with Fowler, Casey, Miller, and stars Ben Schwartz and James Marsden expressed interest in a sequel that further explored the video game's world.^{[13][14][15][16]}

A sequel was confirmed in May 2020, with most of the production team and cast returning from the first film.^[17]

Expansion into television

During development on Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the producers became interested in developing television series set in the films' universe that served as character studies for the cast, with the films serving as "these Avengers-level events" while the shows explore the franchise's supporting characters and give them more depth.^[18]

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Having superhuman speed, Sonic is forced to abandon his home world of Mobius^[19] and ends up on Earth. After being discovered on Earth, he teams up with a human named Tom Wachowski to stop Doctor Robotnik, who wants to harness his powers. The first film in the series, it was released in theaters on February 14, 2020.^[20]

Originally intended for release on November 8, 2019,^[21] Sonic the Hedgehog was pushed back to February 14, 2020, due to the overwhelmingly negative response to Sonic's design in the first trailer.^[22][23][24] Upon its release, the film was met with mixed reviews from critics, but was a box-office success, becoming the sixth highest-grossing film of 2020.^[25]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Sonic joins forces with Tails to stop Dr. Robotnik, who recruits Knuckles the Echidna to find a powerful emerald that has the power to build and destroy civilizations.

Following the success of the first film, Paramount had confirmed that a sequel was in development in May 2020, with Fowler set to return as director alongside writers Casey and Josh Miller.^[26] Neal H. Mortiz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara produced the sequel, having previously co-produced the first film alongside Takeshi Ito, while Tim Miller, Hajime Satomi, and Haruki Satomi returned from the first film as executive producers.^[26] Most of the first film's cast returned to reprise their roles, with Idris Elba joining the voice cast as Knuckles the Echidna.^[27] Filming began in March 2021, in Vancouver, Canada.^[28] The film premiered internationally on March 30, 2022,^[29] followed by a world premiere on April 5, 2022,^[30] and released in theaters in the United States on April 8.^[31]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles take on a mysterious and powerful adversary, Shadow the Hedgehog, while Dr. Ivo Robotnik reunites with his lost grandfather, Prof. Gerald Robotnik, unaware that Gerald has a sinister agenda of his own.

In February 2022, Sega and Paramount confirmed that a third Sonic the Hedgehog film was in active development,^[32] with Schwartz reprising his role, who expressed interest in it being subtitled "The Next Level." In April 2022, after Carrey announced that he was considering retiring from acting,^[33] producers Moritz and Ascher confirmed that his role as Dr. Robotnik would not be recast in any sequels if he followed through with his retirement plans. However, they remained hopeful that they could develop a script good enough for him to continue the role.^[34] On August 8, 2022, it was announced that the film would released in theaters on December 20, 2024.^[35] The character Shadow the Hedgehog also appears following his cameo in the mid-credit scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with Keanu Reeves revealed to be providing the voice for the character in April 2024. In June 2023, it was reported that filming would begin in late August 2023 in London.^[36] Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming would start in September 2023 without actors.^[37] In February 2024, it was officially confirmed that Carrey would be reprising his role for the film,^[38] while Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone were cast.^[39] The film is set after the events of Knuckles (2024), and its story draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005).^[40]

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (2027)

In September 2024, producer Toby Ascher stated intent for additional installments in the franchise following the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.^[41] In December 2024, the film was officially greenlit, slated for Spring 2027.^[42] In January 2025, it was announced that the film would be released on March 19, 2027.^[43]

It is confirmed that Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, who both appeared in the mid-credits scene of the previous film, will appear in this film.^[44][45] While nothing has yet been officially disclosed about the film's story, fans and journalists have widely speculated that it will take inspiration from Sonic CD (1993), which was the first appearance of both characters within the video game series.^[46][47][48] Fowler acknowledged the connection, saying that their simultaneous introduction was intended to "honor that chronology", but stated that the film's story would not be solely based on CD.^[44] In January 2025, Carrey expressed interest in returning as Robotnik if the film's premise interested him.^[49] In February 2026, Kristen Bell was announced to be voicing Amy.^[50] On March 2, Fowler announced that production on the film had begun.^[51] Filming wrapped in May.^[52]

Untitled spinoff film (2028)

In April 2025, The Wrap reported that Paramount is planning a spinoff film. Marc Deschamps from ComicBook.com noted rumours of the film starring Shadow and following up on the third film's post-credits scene.^[53] In December 2025, it was announced that a new film in the franchise, announced as "Sonic Universe Event Film", would be released on December 22, 2028.^[54][55]

Around the World in 80 Seconds (2020)

The home media release of the first film includes a short film titled Around the World in 80 Seconds, which follows a drawing of Sonic traveling the world in 80 seconds before returning to Green Hills.^[56]

Sonic Drone Home (2022)

On May 23, 2022, a digital release was announced with an animated short film called Sonic Drone Home following the events of the second film with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles trying to deal with a badnik upgrading itself at the Green Hills Junkyard.^[57]

A Very Sonic Christmas (2024)

A stop motion short titled A Very Sonic Christmas was released on December 11, 2024, with Schwartz, Elba, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Reeves reprising their roles and Wade Whipple actor Adam Pally voicing Santa Claus.^[58] Animated in a similar style to the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special, the short sees Sonic showing Tails and Knuckles how to celebrate their first Christmas, including holiday sweaters, tree decorating, and Santa. Sonic uses one of his rings to summon Santa, but he injures his ankle upon falling through the ring, seemingly canceling Christmas. Team Sonic volunteers to deliver the presents, including to the Robotniks (which is just coal). After finishing delivering the presents, the team drops Santa off back at the North Pole, where they find Shadow stealing Santa's sleigh with his motorcycle.

Knuckles (2024)

Knuckles the Echidna takes Green Hills deputy officer Wade Whipple as his apprentice, teaching him the ways of the Echidnas.^[60]

On February 15, 2022, during ViacomCBS' investor day, a television series centered around Knuckles was revealed to be in development for Paramount+, with it set for release in 2024.^[37][61] John Whittington was announced as head writer and executive producer in April 2023,^[60] with Toby Ascher announced as showrunner and co-developer alongside Wittington in February 2024.^[62] Additional executive-producers include Idris Elba and Sonic film director Jeff Fowler, who directed the pilot.^[60] Filming began in April 2023 in London, England.^[60]

The series is set between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).^[40] Elba, Adam Pally, Tika Sumpter, Ben Schwartz, and O'Shaughnessey reprise their respective roles from the films as Knuckles, Wade Whipple, Maddie, Sonic, and Tails.^[60][62] Christopher Lloyd voices Pachacamac,^[63] who previously made a silent cameo during the first film's prologue.^[64] All six episodes premiered on April 26, 2024, on Paramount+.^[65]

Future

In April 2024, Toby Ascher stated that either additional seasons of Knuckles or more television series based on other characters were possible if Knuckles would be a success, and as long as the filmmakers had a "really great story to tell."^[18] In an interview with ComicBook, O'Shaughnessey expressed interest in voicing Tails in a spin-off series that could potentially explore the character's origins within the film series.^[66]

Comics

In an exclusive Steelbook release for the first film, a short comic was included, titled Sonic the Hedgehog: The Adventures of Sonic & Donut Lord.^[67]

As a promotional tie-in to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, a prequel comic called Sonic the Hedgehog 2: The Official Movie Pre-Quill was released on March 30, 2022, which is written by Kiel Phegley with artwork by Adam Bryce Thomas, Tracy Yardley and Evan Stanley.^[68]

As a promotional tie-in to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 handed out to moviegoers in Japan, a prequel manga called Sonic X Shadow TOKYO MISSION: Episode 0 was released on December 27, 2024, written and illustrated by Yuki Imada.^[69]

Video games

Multiple characters from the films have been added to the mobile games Sonic Dash and Sonic Forces: Speed Battle as part of promotional events for each film.^[70] Cosmetic items based on the 2020 film were released as downloadable content (DLC) for Sonic Colors Ultimate (2021).^[71]

A Sonic the Hedgehog 3-themed DLC pack for Shadow Generations (2024) was released on December 12, 2024. The pack includes an additional level set in Tokyo as it appears in the film; during the level, Shadow's appearance changes to resemble his movie counterpart, with Reeves reprising his voice.^[72][73]

Box office performance

Critical and public response

Accolades

Soundtracks

Singles