The Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise has surpassed $1 billion in global box office earnings, marking a significant milestone for the video game adaptation series.
The latest installment, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, inspired by Sega’s iconic video game series, has grossed $336.5 million worldwide since its theatrical debut on December 20, 2024.
This contribution has pushed the franchise’s cumulative earnings to $1.06 billion, with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the original 2020 film having brought in $405 million and $320 million, respectively.
A Historic Achievement in Video Game Adaptations
This accomplishment places Sonic the Hedgehog among the most profitable video game movie adaptations in history, alongside The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Pokémon, and the Resident Evil films.
Due to this success, Paramount Pictures has announced plans for a fourth installment, targeting a Spring 2027 release.
Plot and Cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows the titular character (voiced by Ben Schwartz) as he teams up with Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and his human ally, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), to prevent Shadow the Hedgehog (voiced by Keanu Reeves) from unleashing global destruction.
The film also features Krysten Ritter and Idris Elba, with Jim Carrey reprising his role as the villainous Dr. Ivo Robotnik.
Carrey’s return was a surprising development, as the 62-year-old actor had previously expressed intentions to retire from Hollywood. However, director Jeff Fowler believed in the project’s appeal, stating in an interview with Variety:
“In my heart of hearts, I felt like if we offered Jim a fun concept and if we dangled just the right carrot, he’d come back. He loves entertaining young audiences.”
Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise
Carrey himself admitted that financial necessity influenced his decision, humorously remarking during promotions for Sonic the Hedgehog 2:
“I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And, you know, I bought a lot of stuff, and I need the money, frankly.”
Despite his previous retirement plans, Carrey has expressed openness to returning for a potential fourth film, telling Cinema Today:
“I’m open to the idea, and generally, they come to me with the next idea, and if I go, ‘That sounds fun,’ then I’ll do it. I don’t feel locked to anything in life unless it interests me. I love this crew, I love this gang that makes these movies, and I love the fans.”
Box Office Performance
This past weekend, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ranked second at the North American box office, trailing behind Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King.
The Lion King prequel earned $23.8 million in its third weekend, edging out Sonic 3, which posted a $21.2 million weekend, bringing its domestic total to $187.5 million.
Elsewhere, the horror remake Nosferatu (Focus Features) secured third place with $13.2 million, showing a modest 39% drop in its second weekend. Moana 2 and Wicked rounded out the top five, with the animated sequel nearing the $1 billion mark globally.
A Strong Start to 2025
The year 2025 has already shown promise for the box office, with revenues up approximately 20% compared to the same period in 2024.
As industry analysts await the final domestic numbers, the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to underline the franchise’s enduring appeal, solidifying its status as a cultural and commercial phenomenon.
