The best film in theSonic the Hedgehogfranchise isavailable to watch on streaming after a terrific box office run and success with fans and critics. After decades of video game movie adaptations being the butt of a joke, Sonic the Hedgehog almost succumbed to the same fate. However, due to some last-minute design changes, the iconic blue hedgehog is now a billion-dollar franchise with three blockbuster installments and a spinoff TV series.EverySonicmovie and showis currently available on Paramount+.
TheSonic the Hedgehogmovie castis led by Ben Schwartz, who voices the titular hero, and Jim Carrey, who plays Doctor Eggman. The movies are filled with family-friendly action and fun, and they have some hilarious moments empowered by Jim Carrey’s gags.Sonic the Hedgehog 3is the latest installment to the franchise, and it excitedly added Keanu Reeves to the voice castto play Shadow, the dark antihero hedgehog who’s been one of the game franchise’s most beloved characters for decades, after being introduced in 2001’sSonic Adventure 2.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Is Now Streaming On Paramount+ & It’s The Best One Yet
Sonic 3 Brings The Franchise To A New Level
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is the most recent addition toParamount+’s movie catalog, and it’s been widely praised as the best movie in the series so far. The movie’sRotten Tomatoes score is 85%, which is significantly higher than the previous two movies. Not to mention, its Audience Score is 95%, just 1% lower thanSonic the Hedgehog 2. The reason for that jump is due to the increased scale of the film, with higher stakes and more emotional impact than either of the previous two movies due to Shadow’s introduction.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4is in the works, set to continue the franchise’s success, and the third movie includes some foundational elements that set up new stories. With it recently being added to streaming, it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on the franchise. The creators have teased an Avengers-level universe in the future, making it one of the most exciting ongoing movie series to follow, with more classic Sonic video game characters added in each movie. Plus, after theKnucklesspinoff TV series, which is also on Paramount+, expanding the universe with more spinoffs seems likely.
Why Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Rotten Tomatoes Scores Are So High
Sonic 3 Offers A Jump In Scope And Maturity
Compared to the previous two Sonic movies,Sonic the Hedgehog 3had an astounding jump in critical acclaim. As many expected, with the movie being a partial adaptation of the video gameSonic Adventure 2,the third film offered a more mature perspective on the franchise than previous installations. Of course, it’s hard to take a franchise about talking, colorful animals with superpowers too seriously, but between games, comics, and cartoons, there’s proof that the series can still offer emotional value. Shadow the Hedgehog is a prime example.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
64%
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
69%
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
86%
Though Sonic has experienced his losses, Shadow is a far more tragic figure who’s experienced the cruelties of humanity for much longer. He’s jaded in a way that Sonic will never be, and that makes him a fantastic foil. The additional maturity, combined with the successful action/adventure/comedy format that made the first two movies so successful, made this the biggest and bestSonicmovie yet.Critics have praised the film’s charm and entertainment value, citing it as the perfect movie for Sonic fansand a generally enjoyable experience for the whole family.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Broke The Franchise’s Box Office Record & Eclipsed A Major Milestone
Sonic Is Now A Billion-Dollar Movie Franchise
With $478 million at the worldwide box office,Sonic the Hedgehog 3is the highest-grossing movie in the series, widely surpassingSonic the Hedgehog 2’s$403 million. Combining the total box office of all three movies, theSonicmovie franchise has surpassed the $1 billion mark, placing itamong the 100 highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, just aboveDuneand just belowIndependence Day. More films are on the way, so it should continue to grow in box office success, with more characters to introduce and grander stories to tell, hopefully reaching new viewers.
Why Sonic The Hedgehog Can Breathe In Space But Not Underwater
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees Sonic go to space, leading to many fans of the franchise wondering how he can breathe there but not underwater.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3’sbox office success is made even more impressive by the competition it faced in December 2024, including successful titles likeNosferatu,Mufasa: The Lion King,Moana 2, andWicked. In a month that included all of those movies,Sonic the Hedgehog 3managed to claim the #3 spot domestically. It also ranked #11 in the whole year, primarily falling short of movie franchise titles that have had way longer to accumulate a following, like Marvel andDespicable Me.
