Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will round out the live-action trilogy just in time for the Christmas holidays. Whether you’re looking for the release date or cast details, let’s try to keep up.
While recent Sonic games may have struggled to win over fans, the live-action films have certainly brought about a new wave of popularity for the blue blur and other Sonic characters.
Fans were concerned when a leaker threatened to share the whole film online. But that thankfully never came to fruition.
Now, Sonic 3 pits our favorite fluffball and his team against Keanu Reeves’ Shadow the Hedgehog. Tails and Knuckles are back in the fray too, so here’s hoping for a third entry as good as the first two.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date
Paramount Pictures announced Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released on December 20, 2024.
Running faster, flying higher, and punching harder. #SonicMovie3 hits theatres on December 20, 2024. pic.twitter.com/DcFGbaKUao
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@SonicMovie) August 9, 2022
Sonic 2 was released in theatres in April 2022, with many praising the film for its fun and exciting visuals, as well as its exploration of the classic Sonic lore. After the success of Sonic 2, Paramount Pictures was quick to greenlight a third.
This release date means that it will be out roughly a year and a half after the second film and be competing with other holiday films.
Cast
Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves are the main stars of the Sonic 3 cast.
James Marsden will return as Sonic’s best friend, Tom Wachowski. Also returning is Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik. Confirmed by Variety, Carrey’s return comes after the actor expressed his desire to step away from acting.
In footage screened at CinemaCon, Robotnik is depicted as depressed and overweight following the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Rounding out the cast is Reeves as Shadow. His casting put to rest months of speculation about who would voice Shadow.
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic (voice)
- Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails (voice)
- Idris Elba as Knuckles (voice)
- Keanu Reeves as Shadow (voice)
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski
- Tom Butler as Commander Walters
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski
- Alyla Browne as Maria
- Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone
- Krysten Ritter as Captain Rockwell
Plot
Sonic 3 follows the team’s battle against a new rogue threat on the loose: Shadow the Hedgehog.
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We hear in the trailer that though they had similar beginnings, where Sonic “found family, Shadow found only pain and loss.”
Shadow is almost always portrayed as the villain and has battled it out with Sonic on multiple occasions. Sonic fans will likely recognize this character and know him for being the polar opposite of Sonic in every way possible.
The film will follow Sonic and company as they try to defeat Shadow. Dr Robotnik may team up with Shadow, similar to how he did with Knuckles in the second film.
Jeff Fowler returns to direct.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer
The first Sonic 3 trailer was revealed on August 27, 2024.
It shows off the stunning animation, Knuckles on Team Sonic, and the gang facing off against Shadow.
How to watch
Sonic 3 will be a theatrical exclusive release before eventually streaming on Paramount+.
The studio has a homebrew streaming platform, where it puts its new films several months after their initial cinema release.
Sonic 3 will also land on digital PVOD, likely before streaming at no extra cost on Paramount+. Given the previous two films’ physical releases, Blu-rays and DVDs are expected too.
Read our Knuckles review or how to watch Sonic Prime for more. Or, check out the Knuckles soundtrack.