Mark your calendars, Sonic fans! The beloved blue blur is sprinting back to theaters with Sonic the Hedgehog 4, set to premiere on March 19, 2027. According to Variety, Paramount Pictures has given us a two-year countdown to witness the next thrilling adventure of everyone's favorite hedgehog. While specific plot details are still under wraps, the confirmed release date has sparked excitement across the fanbase.
The decision to greenlight another installment comes as no surprise after the roaring success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The film raked in an impressive $218 million domestically and soared past $420 million globally, making it the top-earning film in the Sonic franchise. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the initial controversy over Sonic's design in the first movie, which was significantly altered in post-production to better align with fans' expectations.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 not only set a new benchmark for the series but also secured its place as 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 cinematic stage.
The live-action Sonic franchise has expanded impressively, now encompassing three feature films and a Knuckles streaming TV show spinoff. Rooted in the iconic Sega video game series, the movies follow Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, as he battles his arch-nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey. Each subsequent film has enriched the narrative by introducing more beloved characters from the Sonic universe, including Tails (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba). The latest addition, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, thrilled fans by bringing Shadow the Hedgehog to life, voiced by Keanu Reeves.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has already teased the introduction of another character to the franchise, but we'll keep that under wraps for now. 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 Sonic 3 review for a deeper dive into the latest cinematic adventure of the speedy hedgehog.