Sonic the Hedgehog 3 2024

Movie · 110 min · English · December 10, 2024

Animated Science fiction action Science fiction comedy

Directed by Jeff FowlerWritten by Josh Miller and Patrick Casey, John Whittington

Starring Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, James Marsden

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 2024 action-adventure comedy film based on the Sonic video game series. It serves as the third entry in the Sonic film series, directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Idris Elba reprise their roles, with Krysten Ritter and Keanu Reeves joining the cast. The story follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they confront Shadow the Hedgehog (Reeves), who teams up with the mad scientists Ivo and Gerald Robotnik in an attempt to exact revenge on humanity.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was revealed in February 2022 at ViacomCBS’s investor event, prior to the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Producer Fowler, along with the writers, returned for the project. The narrative draws from elements of the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), offering a darker tone than previous films while maintaining fan expectations and family-friendly appeal. Among those returning, Carrey reprised his role due to appreciation for Ivo and financial reasons. Reeves took on the role of Shadow because of his natural gravitas and performance in the John Wick franchise. Alyla Browne was cast thanks to her work in several George Miller films.

Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, animated scenes began filming in September 2023, with live-action sequences starting in November that year in London, and production wrapping up by March 2024. Brandon Trost returned as cinematographer. The film's animation was created both in-house and through five external vendors, coordinated alongside the Knuckles series. Studio ownership of assets enabled this collaboration. Tom Holkenborg returned to compose the score, incorporating the Crush 40 song "Live & Learn" from Sonic Adventure 2, while Jelly Roll contributed the original track "Run It" for the soundtrack.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 made its debut at Empire Leicester Square in London on December 10, 2024, and was distributed by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20. Critics responded positively, especially praising Carrey and Reeves's performances. The film proved commercially successful, earning $492 million against a budget of $122 million, becoming the top-grossing movie in the franchise, the second highest-grossing video game adaptation at the time, and the tenth-highest grossing film of the year. Carrey was named Favorite Villain at the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set for release on March 19, 2027.