Mark your calendars, Sonic fans! The next high-speed adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, is set to race into theaters on March 19, 2027. According to Variety, Paramount has slated this eagerly anticipated sequel, giving us just two years until we see the iconic blue blur back in action. While no further details about the plot or new characters have been released beyond the release date, the anticipation is already building.
The decision to continue the franchise comes as no surprise, especially after the resounding success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This latest installment raked in an impressive $218 million at the domestic box office and soared to over $420 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the Sonic series to date. This is a remarkable achievement, particularly when considering the initial controversy surrounding Sonic's design in the first film, which was significantly altered during post-production.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 not only set a new benchmark for the franchise but also secured its place as the second highest-grossing video game movie of all time in North America, trailing only behind the animated Super Mario Bros. Movie. This continues the storied rivalry between Nintendo and Sega, now playing out on the big screen.
The live-action Sonic franchise has seen steady growth, expanding to include three feature films and a Knuckles streaming TV show spinoff. Rooted in the beloved Sega video game series, the films center on Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, as he battles his nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey. Each film has progressively introduced more of the Sonic universe's beloved characters, including Tails (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba), with the most recent film unveiling Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves.
Sonic 3 has already teased the introduction of another character to the franchise, though we'll keep that under wraps for now. For those eager to learn more, you can explore our new characters guide at your own risk. Don't forget to check out our comprehensive Sonic 3 review for more insights into the latest cinematic adventure of the speedy hedgehog.
