Sonic the Hedgehog 3is rocketing its way to box office success. The follow-up to 2020’sSonic the Hedgehogand 2022’s subsequent sequel, the movie reintroduces Ben Schwartz’s titular Sonic, Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails, and Idris Elba’s Knuckles. All the while, it ushers in Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog.Sonic 3has earned immense praisefrom critics and audiences and has been in a neck-and-neck race withMufasafor the top spot at the box office since its December 20 release.
According to a report byVariety, the franchise just broke the $1 billion mark after the threequel earned $187.5 million domestically and $336 million globally. With that immense total,it has already surpassedSonic the Hedgehog(2020), which earned $148 million domestically and $319 million worldwide. When competing against its own franchise, the latest moviesits behind onlySonic 2,which earned $190 million domestically and $405 million worldwide. It is currently on-pace to become the highest-grossingSonicmovie. Check out the chart below, which offers a clear look atSonic 3’s progress:
$148 million
$319 million
Sonic the Hedgehog 2(2022)
$190 million
$405 million
Sonic the Hedgehog 3(2024)
$187.5 million
$336 million
$525.5 million
$1.06 billion
What Sonic 3’s Box Office Progress Means For The Franchise
Sonic Earned Praise From Critics And Audiences
After years of video game movies suffering at the box office,Sonic the Hedgehogbecame a standout exception. AlongsideMarioandDetective Pikachu, it helped to prove that video game characters do have a lasting place in theaters. By remaining faithful toSonic’s story and its characters, the franchise has enjoyed nothing but love from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the threequel has earned an exceptional96% Popcornmeter scoreand a similarly highscore of 86% Tomatometer.
Sonic 4is expected to be released in the spring of 2027.
While critics lamentedthe 110-minute runtime, they praised the movie’s humor, family-friendly atmosphere, and high energy. Audiences, meanwhile, offered praise for the character performances. Most reviews expressed love for Jim Carrey’s Eggman portrayal, while others shared excitement about seeing Shadow the Hedgehog finally appearing on the big screen. The praise all comes down to one element: Capturing everything that made the games so beloved. WithSonic 4already confirmed, the critical and financial success should influence the direction of the next movie. In short, it should remain similarly chaotic.
Our Take On Sonic 3’s Success
Only Mufasa Stands In Sonic’s Way
HadSonic 3released without competition, it might have been even more successful. Instead, the hedgehog has been in a breakneck race with Disney’sMufasa.Sonicclaimed their shared opening weekend with the top spot at the box office, buttheLion Kingprequeltook the No. 1 place this weekend and is poised to hold on. It is difficult to know how either movie would have done withoutthe other standing in the way. Regardless,Sonic 3has already achieved a massive milestone, and it should pass its predecessor soon.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
