It’s official: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is happening. It should come as no surprise that the franchise growing at the speed of its titular character is going to continue in the future. The third movie has a ton of hype surrounding it, and the two movies and spin-off show were a huge success. The fourth film was rumored and even leaked long before the third one came out, but it’s now official. The Sonic franchise will live on.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Officially in the Works
According to an exclusive report from Variety, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be released in 2027. Paramount Pictures is apparently prepping for the release roughly two years from now. The first two movies garnered over $725.2 million combined at the box office, and the third film is poised to do quite well to cap off 2024. It’s no surprise that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is officially planned, as these are crowd-pleasing movies.
The Sonic universe is vast, and so many big characters (I am stating this before I have seen the third movie), like Silver the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Big the Cat, Vector, Jet the Hawk, and so many others have not appeared yet. Given the attention to detail and the palpable level of care for the source material, it’s no surprise that Jeff Fowler and Paramount want to keep bringing Sonic characters to the big screen in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and beyond. Speaking of the third movie, which will undoubtedly introduce new characters to this universe, it’s out this weekend and many audiences may need a refresher on what happens in the movies leading up to it.
What Happens Before Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is currently in theaters. It is officially release day, as theaters all across the globe now have showtimes for one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Like many movies these days, it is a sequel to an existing IP. With now three films (and reportedly more on the way) and a television spin-off, it’s fair to call Sonic one of the biggest franchises in film and gaming.
Of course, anything with previous entries or source material usually needs some brushing up on before seeing the latest installment. It’s been four years since the blue hedgehog hit the big screen. Here’s your refresher on what you need to remember before seeing the third movie this weekend.
Sonic 1 Recap
In the first Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic has to leave his home, an alien planet where he was raised by Longclaw. Longclaw was killed by Echidnas, and Sonic escaped to Earth thanks to the power of the rings (no, this is not Lord of the Rings). It is there that he watches Tom and Maddie Wachowski from afar, longing to be part of their family.
After he’s discovered by Dr. Robotnik, a brilliant, high-level government official, the Jim Carrey character begins hunting Sonic for his power. Tom and Maddie band together to protect Sonic, as does the entirety of their small town named after the Green Hill Zone. After defeating Robotnik, a.k.a Eggman, Sonic banishes him to the Mushroom Planet with no means of escape.
Sonic 2 Recap
In Sonic 2, Knuckles the Echidna (remember that species name from earlier? helps Dr. Robotnik get back to Earth, where they go about trying to get ahold of the Chaos Emeralds. Knuckles and Sonic, who has the help of Tails the Fox now, duel, and Knuckles eventually decides to help Team Sonic protect the Master Emerald. Unfortunately, Dr. Robotnik has it and he used it to create a giant mech. Sonic has to go Super Sonic to survive and defeat Eggman, which he does. In the post-credits scene, Shadow, who has long been asleep, wakes up and sets the third film into motion.
In Conclusion
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is coming, and that should not be a surprise. Virtually everything is given a franchise these days as studios try desperately to recreate the MCU with their own IPs. Sonic, of course, is a deserving candidate. The movies and Knuckles spin-offs were very well-received, and the game have a devoted fan base that clearly likes seeing their beloved characters on the big screen. Be sure to keep going to see these movies in theaters, starting this weekend, to ensure Paramount has no reason to ditch the growing SCU (Sonic Cinematic Universe).
