Sonic the Hedgehog is racing toward the big screen yet again, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 joining the list of 2024 new movies. The iconic video game character has become a box-office smash and is ready for his third outing, with his friends tagging along for the ride, as well as old and new enemies.
After a long history of critically-panned video game adaptations, Sonic has been one of the most successful attempts to date, along with the recent animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It's funny to remember that the franchise did not get off to the best start when the internet heavily criticized Sonic's initial design, but things worked out for the best.
Anyway, here's everything you need to know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3, from when it is releasing to who's in it.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date
Close out 2024 with Sonic, as Paramount Pictures is set to release Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on December 20. That makes it one of the family-friendly options for a holiday trip to the movies, along with Disney's The Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King.
If you want to catch up with the first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies before the third entry releases, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are currently streaming on Paramount Plus and Hulu.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast
The voice of Sonic is Ben Schwartz. Schwartz's involvement in the Sonic movies has been one of the comedic actor's biggest roles to date, though he is also known for his time on Parks & Recreation, This Is Where I Leave You, House of Lies, Space Force, Die Hart and The Afterparty.
The other main component of the franchise has been Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, who despite a near-fatal fall in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, is coming back to take on Sonic once again. Carrey does not need much of an introduction, having starred in classics like Dumb and Dumber, The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There had been reports Carrey was retiring from acting, but it seems, however, that he enjoys playing Dr. Robotnik and is happy to come back for that.
Another big name is joining as a new member of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast— Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow. As multiple outlets have reported, the John Wick and The Matrix star is going to voice the antagonist/antihero character from the video games. We're guessing like Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Shadow will at least start out as a villain in this new movie. Here's a sneak peek at the character:
The rest of Sonic's main crew is back, including Idris Elba to voice Knuckles (fresh of his own Paramount Plus original series Knuckles), Colleen O'Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails. And on the human side the movie features James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Alyla Browne and James Wolk.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 plot
From a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington, here is the official synopsis for Sonic the Hedgehog 3:
"Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet."
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer
See Sonic and his team take on Shadow in the official trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 right here:
Jeff Fowler movies
Jeff Fowler is the director of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, continuing in his role overseeing the franchise as he had with the first two entries. Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are Fowler's only two feature directing credits to date, though he is also going to direct episodes of the spinoff series Knuckles and is lined up to extend beyond the Sonic franchise with The Pink Panther.
