The last few years have brought us the best video game movies, with the subgenre no longer floundering as it had in the past. The Sonic the Hedgehog movies (which are streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) are definitely on that list, and a fourth film is on its way. Kristen Bell is voicing newcomer Amy Rose, and recently shared a photo from the recording booth. Unsurprisingly, her husband Dax Shepard weighed in with a sweet comment.

Sonic 3's post-credits scene had Amy showing up to rescue the title character from Metal Sonic robots, bringing yet another beloved character from the games to the big screen. Kristen Bell looks like she's having fun voicing Amy Rose, as she shared in the following Instagram post:

Bell is all smiles in the recording booth, and she seems to be thrilled that she's introducing Amy Rose to new audiences in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It remains to be seen how her character will be portrayed on the big screen. Is she Sonic's number 1 fan like the games or something else entirely? Her post-credits appearance was pretty badass, so I have to assume that her backstory will be somehow altered.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are known for making headlines, whether it's a controversy or the way they are each other's biggest cheerleaders. The latter is true for how Bell's husband gassed her up in the comments section, writing:

How sweet is that? There's clearly a ton of love shared between these two actors, as well as their children. And Shepard makes a solid point: the Veronica Mars star looks thoroughly adorable in the booth for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. And I can't wait to see what she does with Amy in the upcoming sequel.

Jeff Fowler has directed all four Sonic movies, which combined live-action and animation to delightful results. Bell is the latest actor to lend her voice to a video game character; she's joined by Ben Schwartz's Sonic, Idris Elba's Knuckles, Keanu Reeves' Shadow, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails, with the latter previously voicing the sidekick in the games. As for Kristen Bell, she's no stranger to voice acting, thanks to her tenure as Anna in Frozen (streaming with a Disney+ subscription).

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is currently expected to arrive in theaters on March 19th, 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 movie release list, fans will have to be patient while we wait for its first footage.

It might seem hard to believe, since it feels like a million years ago, but for a time, it seemed like bringing Sonic the Hedgehog to the big screen would be dead on arrival. That all goes back to Sonic’s original cinematic design, and the immediate backlash that followed.

As a recap, prior to the successful 2020 film (which I still think is one of the best video game movies of all time), we got our first trailer for the then-new movie, and my God. I think every Sonic fan had the same reaction: “Look how they massacred my boy!”

However, the year is now 2026, and we actually have a FOURTH Sonic movie on the way. Not only that, but what seemed like an ostensibly doomed franchise has now made over a BILLION dollars worldwide. How did this come to be? Well, I have some theories.

Firstly, Listening To The Internet - For Once - Was Actually The Right Call

Now, here’s the thing. You simply cannot trust the internet. I know it seems like everybody’s on it, and voicing their opinions, but when it comes to major studios, it’s probably best to not pay it any mind. For example, just think about Morbius being re-released in theaters because of all the memes…only for it to fall flat on its face a second time. Or, an even further back example, think about all of the online fervor for Snakes on a Plane…only for the film to underperform at the box office (I still love it, though).

Hell, let’s just think about all of the people who complained about Heath Ledger being the Joker when we first heard the casting, only for him to arguably be the best live-action version of the character. The point I’m making is, all signs usually point to it being in the studio's best interest to NOT listen to the internet.

And yet, Paramount did, and…well, thank God they did, because I’m not sure if we would have gotten three sequels if they didn’t. Granted, people probably would have seen the first movie regardless of how bad Sonic looked. But, lots of people (myself included) would have gone into it solely to see what a trainwreck it might be.

The old, “ugly” Sonic would have been more of a distraction than anything. But, with the new, cartoony version, there was a lot more goodwill going into that movie. Not only did it feel like the internet “won,” with them changing it, but the new design was genuinely appealing to the eye. So, that’s just ONE reason for the franchise’s early success.

They Leaned Hard Into The Sonic Games To Great Success

Now, while I really loved the first movie, I know a lot of Sonic fans were a bit disappointed with it. Yes, we got to see some locales that resembled the game in the beginning of the movie, but most of the film took place in our world, which was a bit underwhelming for some. (Would they have preferred if it took place in an alternate universe dinosaur city, a la the first Super Mario Bros. movie?)

However, it seemed like Paramount listened to fans again, since the second movie felt WAY closer to the games. For one thing, they introduced series mainstays Tails, AND Knuckles. For another thing, there was a plot concerning a quest for the Master Emerald, and we even got Super Sonic in the sequel.

Not only that, but it just went way bigger than the first movie, and seemed to acknowledge that this one was for the fans. We got callbacks to the games, like Tails flying his red plane, and even a post-credit scene featuring another popular character in Shadow the Hedgehog. The cool thing is, even if you weren’t a fan of the Sonic series, it still seemed a lot more exciting, action-wise, than the first film.

Leaning into the games is something that The Super Mario Bros. Movie did with aplomb (maybe even too much, as we said in our review). But Sonic 2 did it first…and, maybe even less annoyingly.

It’s Also Interesting That Jim Carrey Quite Regularly Outshines The Main Attraction

Way back when, our very own Mack Rawden wrote about how he had a great time watching Jim Carrey be a complete weirdo in the first movie, but I actually think there’s something to that, as to why the series is so successful. Because, with each subsequent film, Carrey seems to have more and more of a role, and go even more over the top.

I don’t think this should be understated. In a lot of ways, it isn’t Sonic carrying these movies, it’s Carrey. In the second movie, you would think Idris Elba’s Knuckles would be the star attraction, outside of Sonic and Tails, of course, but no. It was still Carrey, whose manic performance is what’s really keeping the films engaging.

For further proof, just take a look at the latest entry, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Yes, it had Keanu Reeves voicing Shadow the Hedgehog, and yes, he was instrumental to the plot, but would the movie have even worked without Carrey (who actually had TWO roles)?

I honestly don’t think Sonic or his friends could carry these films by themselves. But with Jim Carrey? Well, it’s golden. Now, let’s see what he has in store for us in Sonic the Hedgehog 4. (Will there be body doubles?)

The Way Paramount Was Able To Make A Spin-Off So Quickly Is Also Quite Impressive

You know what’s important with any successful franchise? Consistency, and we got that with the first Sonic movie coming out in 2020, the sequel in 2022, Sonic 3 in 2024, and the next installment coming out in 2027 (which isn’t a two year gap like the previous two, but close enough).

However, do you know what makes a franchise even MORE successful? Spin-offs, and we got that with 2024’s TV series, Knuckles, which had the echidna buddying up with the deputy sheriff from the movies, played by Adam Pally. Now, was the show good? Well, I’d say it was pretty decent, but it was missing Carrey, so that’s a few points off of it right there.

That said, brand recognition is important, and keeping fans interested in the property in between movies is another important reason why this series is now a billion dollar franchise.

Now, the only question is whether these characters will branch off into their own movies, like a potential Shadow the Hedgehog film. It’s hard to say at this point, but the series is currently bigger than ever.

Resident Evil Currently Has More Movies, But It’s Impressive That Sonic Will Be At Four

But, do you want to know the most interesting thing about the Sonic movies? They make more and more money with each entry. Instead of diminishing returns, these sequels are reaching milestones.

The first movie made $319 million worldwide, its sequel made around $405 million globally, and Sonic 3 made over $425 million worldwide, so if anything, the series is getting bigger, not smaller. And, with Amy coming in the fourth movie, I can only imagine what that total will be.

Again, these movies should be studied. I mentioned changing Sonic’s look, leaning into the games, Jim Carrey, and a spin-off, but there must be something else that is propelling this franchise into the stratosphere.

Also, while Resident Evil has more movies than Sonic at 7 (soon to be eight), the blue blur is catching up, which is impressive, given what a disaster it could have been with that initial design.

When it comes to video game movie adaptations that have been released over the past several years, few have found as much success as the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. SEGA’s lovable, blue character and his allies have been tearing up the box office, so it’s no surprise that a fourth film is currently in the works. Now, in an exciting turn of events, Kristen Bell has been tapped to join the cast in a major role. With that, she recently reunited with Sonic voice actor Ben Schwartz for a truly adorable photo.

It was announced this week that Kristen Bell would be lending her voice-acting talents to the role of Amy Rose, who was briefly introduced during a Sonic 3 post-credits scene. That confirmation is sweet enough on its own, but what’s even better is that Bell and Ben Schwartz signified the occasion by sporting sweaters and posing for a photo. Not only that, but the pair also hold adorable figurines of their respective characters. Take a look at the snapshot, which Schwartz posted to Instagram:

This is indeed a sweet reunion that I can get behind! Bell and Schwartz previously worked together on the (underrated) Showtime dramedy series House of Lies. Obviously, the kid-centric Sonic the Hedgehog 4 marks a very different kind of collaboration for the two actors. All in all, I think this could be a very fun match, and I’m eager to hear Schwartz and Bell match wits as Sonic and Amy Rose, respectively.

Like Schwartz, Kristen Bell is certainly no stranger to voice acting, with arguably the biggest feather in her cap being her role as Anna in Disney’s Frozen franchise. Bell has the ability to bring authenticity to the roles she plays and, while many of her characters are quite soft-spoken, there’s a spunkiness that radiates from them as well. That definitely tracks when it comes to the character that the Emmy nominee is voicing within the Sonic universe.

A longtime character within the Sonic the Hedgehog games, Amy Rose is a competitive yet empathetic tomboy who’s part of the titular hero’s inner circle. Amy also serves as something of a love interest for Sonic, even to the point where she can be clingy at times. During the closing moments of Sonic 3, Amy Rose arrives to assist the blue speedster when he’s ambushed by Metal Sonic robots. How the heroine’s origins will be established within the continuity of the movies remains to be seen at this time.

Information on Sonic 4 is relatively scarce, though it’s been confirmed that Jeff Fowler – who helmed the first three movies – is set to return for this latest feature. Plot details are being kept under wraps, so speculation regarding the narrative ensues for now. Tails voice actress Colleen O'Shaughnessey previously spoke to CinemaBlend about what she’d like to see in the fourth movie. All in all, she’d love to see the gang travel to new locations beyond Earth.

There’s not telling when additional casting updates on the fourth film in this video game saga will arrive. However, at present, I just remain excited knowing that Amy Rose has officially been cast. Let’s hope Kristen Bell and Ben Schwartz’s sweet dynamic translates into electrifying chemistry between their characters.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 races into theaters on March 19, 2027. In the meantime, stream the first three movies as well as the Knuckles spinoff series using a Paramount+ subscription.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog are two of the most popular IPs residing at Paramount Pictures, with the studio owning the former and licensing the movie rights for the latter from Sega. Before today, there was already plenty for fans to look forward to from both these franchises on the film front. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is slated for a March 2027 release, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 is on track to follow in September of the same year.

Now Paramount has set plans for both these film series in 2028 as well. The new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie that was reported on last month is now officially slotted for November 17, 2028, and an untitled “Sonic Universe Event Film” will follow on December 22. Producer Neal H. Moritz is working on both projects, but otherwise details are being kept secret. That said, I do have one big hope each for these new Ninja Turtles and Sonic movies that I’ll hold onto until specific information starts coming in.

What I Want From The Sonic The Hedgehog Spinoff

I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about Sonic the Hedgehog franchise beyond what I’ve seen in the moves and what little I gleaned from occasionally playing the games as a kid. What I do know is that Keanu Reeves’ Shadow the Hedgehog was one of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s biggest highlights for me when I streamed the flick with my Paramount+ subscription. Thankfully, though it initially looked like Shadow died alongside Dr. Robotnik, Sonic 3’s post-credits scene revealed he was still alive.

Given that the threequel’s mid-credits scene introduced Amy Rose, who saved our blue speedster from Metal Sonic robots, I feel like Sonic the Hedgehog 4 already has enough going for it without Shadow the Hedgehog’s involvement being absolutely necessary. That’s not to say I’ll be disappointed if he appears in Sonic 4, but I think Shadow is a compelling enough character that he’s worthy leading this spinoff movie. If Knuckles can get his own Paramount+ limited series, why can’t Shadow get 90-120 minutes of time to himself standing in the cinematic spotlight?

What I Want From The Next Live-Action Ninja Turtles Movie

Five live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies have been released since 1990, the last one being 2016’s Out of the Shadows. While there is nostalgic love for the very first of these movies, the fact of the matter is that none of them have exactly been critical darlings. I hope this latest reboot can buck that trend and perhaps even come close to the acclaim that Mutant Mayhem received in 2023. Whether or not that happens, I think this next Ninja Turtles movie could at least do a solid job standing out from its predecessors by not using Shredder… at all.

Shredder is the Turtles’ arch-nemesis, so I understand why he’s been used so often in their movies. However, we’ve definitely hit an over saturation point with him. Even Mutant Mayhem couldn’t resist having him cameo at the end to tease the sequel. I would prefer that the live-action reboot not feature or even reference the man once known as Oroku Saki. That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind him being utilized in a later sequel depending on how long this particular continuity lasts, but this particular TMNT movie would benefit from using a villain who’s popular with the fans, but hasn’t had nearly as much exposure with the general public.

It’s still the early stages for both these movies, but hopefully 2026 will bring some updates giving us a better idea of what we can expect from them. Until then, head over to Paramount+ to get your fill of the existing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog movies, or look through our 2026 movies schedule to learn what’s coming out next year.

For a guy who has repeatedly claimed he’s retired from making movies, Jim Carrey seems to be working a lot. He came “out of retirement" to film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a movie that had him playing two roles, and before we even make it to the already confirmed Sonic the Hedgehog 4, the comedian is looking to join a new franchise that's truly out there.

Jim Carrey Is Circling The Jetsons (In A Flying Car, I Suppose)

In a new report from The Wrap, Jim Carrey is reportedly in talks to lead a live-action cast as family patriarch George Jetson for a movie based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon of the same name about a futuristic family living in the space age. I cannot wait to see what his hair looks like if this happens.

Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow is in talks to direct the film and is also in talks to write alongside Joe Epstein. No other casting is being reported at this time, but one assumes the full Jetsons family, including wife Jane, daughter Judy, and son Elroy, will also be along for the ride, alongside other characters from the cartoon like the family robot-maid Rosie and George’s boss Mr. Spacely.

The Jetsons was a futuristic counterpart to Hanna-Barbera’s Stone Age cartoon, The Flintstones. Both series were essentially sitcoms focused on traditional topics of work and family, with the twist being the setting for each, which put mundane modern middle-class life in wildly different time periods.

There have been previous attempts to adapt The Jetsons for a live-action movie, as well as a live-action Jetsons TV series, but those have all fallen apart before the movie could be made. With these major names attached, that could be enough to make this time different.

George Jetson Could Be A Good Fit For Jim Carrey

While Jim Carrey, currently at 63 years old, is a bit older than George Jetson is traditionally portrayed, it’s not hard to see that he would be a good fit for the role of George Jetson. Carrey‘s persona on screen has never been far from that of a cartoon character. He’s already played wild characters like The Mask and The Grinch, and is currently riding high on his performance as Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies.

With The Jetsons seemingly so early in development that it doesn’t yet have a script, one could potentially be tailored to Jim Carrey if he signs on. Because the project is so early in development, it’s unlikely the film will run into any conflicts with Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which currently has a 2027 release date. Carrey has not been officially announced for that project yet, but he is expected to return, especially considering his performance(s) in the previous Sonic movie were widely seen as the highlight of that film.

One of 2024’s biggest hits and best video game movies, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, finally showed movie audiences to what gamers have known for years — Shadow the Hedgehog is awesome. Now, it seems SEGA may want to keep that momentum going. According to a recent report, the company filed a new Shadow the Hedgehog trademark in Japan this September, sparking speculation that something big is in the works for Sonic’s brooding rival.

Fan site Sonic City shared on X that the filing on Japan’s public trademark repository covers everything from clothing and toys to, most intriguingly, computer programs — a clue that has the fandom buzzing. While SEGA hasn’t confirmed whether this points to a new game, film, or series, the timing feels deliberate. With the success of Sonic × Shadow Generations and Keanu Reeves’ debut as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, fans are convinced the “Ultimate Lifeform” is about to step into the spotlight once again.

Fans React To The SEGA Filing

As Sonic City notes, SEGA’s inclusion of digital software in the filing “indicates the company intends to keep the Shadow brand active across multiple mediums.” Translation: Shadow’s comeback isn’t a one-off, which has fans speculating wildly. Here are what some fans are saying:

• “It would be extremely funny if the 35th anniversary game was a Shadow ’05 remake.” – @PlatiPete
• “It’s probably movie related, but it’ll be so funny if at the game awards they say some shit like 'We’ll focus on our other characters that aren’t sonic,' and it’s just shadow again." – @MrBridge25
• “THE YEAR OF SHADOW ISN'T OVER” – @Hebitan2085 wrote, sharing a Shadow GIF.
• “It's most likely a Shadow the Hedgehog Paramount Plus series. Its very unlikely for SEGA to revive one of their worst performed games of the 2000s.” – @DaveTheRetroGuy
• “Would it not be a movie? Isn't a solo Shadow movie confirmed to be in the works?” – @XenoSonic_2

The question remains: what does this new registration actually mean, and which kind of Shadow project is SEGA really gearing up for?

Why SEGA Might Be Planning A Movie Or Streaming Series

The most obvious direction for this new project is cinematic. Following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 last year, the trademark could signal that SEGA and Paramount are laying the groundwork for a full-on Shadow the Hedgehog spin-off movie.

Paramount has already shown a willingness to expand the Sonic cinematic universe with Knuckles, the streaming series that debuted last year and is available to watch with a Paramount+ subscription. The show’s mix of humor and world-building proved there’s an appetite for character-driven stories set in this universe. A darker, more mature spinoff centered on Shadow’s tragic backstory would be a natural next step, and ideally suited to Keanu Reeves’ brooding intensity.

Interestingly, both Reeves and Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles, have expressed interest in spinoffs focused on their respective characters. A limited streaming series in the same vein as Knuckles could offer greater creative freedom and emotional depth, while keeping Paramount’s growing Sonic universe alive between major theatrical releases because, as fans may know, Sonic 4 has already been announced.

Could This Actually Be A New Shadow Video Game?

On the other hand, the inclusion of “computer programs” in SEGA’s new trademark filing has led many to believe this could point to a game-related project. With Sonic’s 35th anniversary approaching, a new video game makes a lot of sense.

A few fans joked about revisiting the divisive 2005 Shadow the Hedgehog game, but that seems unlikely. However, there’s also the chance SEGA is developing an entirely new game starring Shadow. Maybe a sequel or spiritual successor to Sonic × Shadow Generations, which performed well both critically and commercially and reintroduced Shadow to a new generation of players. Expanding that momentum with a standalone title would make a lot of sense.

The Real Takeaway From This Trademark Registration

Whether it’s a movie, show or game, Shadow’s resurgence is no accident. SEGA’s new trademark seems to confirm the company is doubling down on its most mysterious and marketable antihero. And I’m all in on the idea.

If this is a movie, we can likely expect Keanu Reeves’ Shadow to take center stage in a darker, emotionally charged story that expands the world introduced in the first three movies. If it’s a game, maybe we'll finally get a modern, story-driven experience fans have been clamoring for since the mid-2000s. However, if it’s a streaming series, well, let’s be honest, Paramount+ could use another hit outside of the ever-expanding Taylor Sheridan universe, and Shadow has the fanbase to deliver a pretty solid one.

As you wait for details on what lies ahead for Shadow, keep an eye on updates regarding Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

This weekend, the 2025 movie schedule belongs to the dragons, and the Vikings that try to tangle with them. In the world of reality, that means that the How to Train Your Dragon remake’s impressive opening estimates have paid off, as who doesn’t want to see Toothless on the big screen yet again?

Those feelings, as well as backlash from Sonic the Hedgehog’s original character design, are part of the equation that director Dean DeBlois discussed with CinemaBlend. As we sat down with the returning creative force from the 2010 original, the question of how that infamous scenario factored into planning the “live-action” variant of Toothless needed to be asked. In response, DeBlois’ response to this query involved this thought process:

You know you’re a big deal when you have an entire committee dedicated to speculating how your redesign is going to play out. Though that could be underselling the situation How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action redo found itself operating in. It’s the sort of thing that tends to happen when you’re embarking on a flesh and blood makeover to a wildly successful trilogy of animated pictures.

But as Dean DeBlois signaled above, his previous work on both Lilo & Stitch and Dragon’s animated protagonists came from an animation background. Creatures in that medium thrive on circular and tube-like shapes, but that doesn’t necessarily carry over into the realm of photorealism.

That leads to these further notes on how DeBlois and his Toothless committee tried to strike the balance:

The results practically speak for themselves, as How to Train Your Dragon’s CinemaCon screening yielded excited raves from the crowd pretty early on. Just as Dean DeBlois’ previous comments on said reaction intended, it looks like tears and cheers will be had by all who are about to take this flight. So if you had any doubt Toothless would look any less cute in live-action, you can proceed with confidence.

Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of the Isle of Berk await you in theaters now. But if you’re curious whether How to Train Your Dragon’s 3D/4DX variant keeps the thrills flying high, you can read our rundown to learn more of those technical details.

Movies based on video games have had a storied history, including a number of notable flops. One of the best video game movies is definitely Sonic the Hedgehog, which has become a bonafide franchise with three movies and the Knuckles TV series streaming now for those with a Paramount+ subscription. I used the streaming to finally watch Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it made me really want a Grinch sequel for Jim Carrey. This is namely because of the actor's physical comedy and fake belly.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas has aged really well, and is usually included in the list of best Christmas movies. A huge reason for that movie's success is because of Carrey's iconic performance, and he brings the same talent to his performance as Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic films. Particularly in the third movie, I thought he channeled The Grinch in a number of ways.

Carrey played not one, but two Robotniks in the third film, and particularly split sides in Sonic 3's dance number. Seeing him use the character's funny voice and move with his round belly really reminded me of Ron Howard's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Seriously, give us a nostalgic follow-up, you cowards!

Logically, a sequel to Ron Howard's Grinch movie doesn't seem totally out of the question. The actors are largely still working, including Molly Shannon, and Christine Baranski. For his part, Jim Carrey isn't opposed to doing another Grinch appearance, preferably without having to spend as much time in the makeup chair. Although I will say that the practical effects used in both that Christmas flick and the Sonic the Hedgehog movies is a big reason why his performance is so successful.

Back in 2023, Carrey's reps shot down rumors of him returning as The Grinch, but that hasn't stopped his generations of fans from chattering about that possibility online. Many moviegoers re-watch that 2000 movie annually, which is why it has such a place in so many hearts. One would assume this would result in box office success if a sequel is finally produced, allowing Jim Carrey and his Grinch belly to once again chew the scenery (and maybe glass).

While we never got a live-action sequel (yet), the Grinch has continued to be a holiday tradition thanks to the 2000 movie and the original 1966 animated TV special. Back in 2018, a new animated movie was released, with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the titular villain. The 2018 Grinch made a ton of money at the box office, proving the brand's ongoing power with moviegoers old and young alike. We'll just have to wait and see if Carrey gets to play that role again. Unfortunately, we shouldn't expect a live-action follow-up to appear on the 2025 movie release list.

This past week, fans received their first official look at Shrek 5, and their responses varied. DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures’ clip revealed the updated designs for the ogre and some of his allies. Some commenters seemed in favor of the alterations, while others voiced their assertion that the animators should’ve stuck with the OG designs. Various individuals and entities appear to be weighing in, and one of the latest is the team behind the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, which dropped an A+ response.

It goes without saying that the Sonic crew certainly knows what it’s like to receive backlash over a character design. Several years ago, Internet users didn’t mince words when the first trailer for the live-action trilogy’s first installment was released and revealed an altered look for the blue speedster. Considering that experience, the official TikTok account for the Sega-produced film franchise dropped a cheeky video. The brief clip provided a bit of advice for “green ogres." Check out the post, which includes a cheeky "take notes" caption:

As you can see, the funny video features a glimpse of the OG Sonic design, before transitioning to the altered one that was ultimately included in the finished 2020 film. I’m a person who loves the rare occasion on which a professional creative team will poke fun at a viral situation (and themselves, in the process). Kudos to whoever came up with this idea, as the video, on the surface, is relatively subtle. Yet its message and joke are certainly clear.

The backlash over Sonic’s original look was no laughing matter, at the time, though. When it came to that design, the filmmakers seemed to be going for a design that would better fit into the live-action realm. With that, the hedgehog was streamlined a bit and even given a full set of teeth. Longtime fans of the character shared visceral reactions on social media and, as a result, Paramount Pictures pushed Sonic the Hedgehog back to allow for more time to update the look. The final result was a style that was right on par with the video games.

When it comes to the upcoming Shrek 5, DreamWorks and Universal released a brief snippet, which revealed the returns of the eponymous character, Princess Fiona, their now-adolescent daughter, Felicia, and Donkey. Among the complaints were that the heads of the ogre family looked older, and many pined for the designs of the original four films. Amid the situation, a TikToker claimed to have fixed the animation, and a lot of fans seemed to love the results, based on the responses they shared on social media.

Plot details on this fifth installment in the hit franchise haven’t been revealed just yet. What is known, however, is that franchise veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon are directing the film. Also, franchise veterans Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy are reprising their roles as Shrek, Fiona and Donkey, respectively, with Zendaya also joining the fold as Felicia. So, at the very least, there’s certainly some creative continuity behind the scenes.

In my humble opinion, the odds of the team behind the fairy tale-centric flick are probably slim. Fans are, of course, entitled to their opinions but, at the end of the day, the filmmakers have a creative vision to execute. Plus, design changes do make sense, given that nearly 15 years have passed since the fourth film (which can be streamed with a Max subscription) hit cinemas. But, regardless of whether or not the crew heeds Team Sonic’s advice, I still appreciate the chuckle-worthy TikTok message.

Shrek 5 is slated to hit theaters on December 23, 2026. In the meantime, you can stream the original three films with a Peacock subscription and the fourth installment on the aforementioned Max.

The following article contains SPOILERS about Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Beware!

When Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released in theaters, it was a hit everywhere. Sprinting past Mufasa: The Lion King at the box office during opening weekend, and already earning a Sonic the Hedgehog 4 announcement, this is the video game franchise that keeps on giving. Now, Lee Majdoub has offered his honest thoughts on what makes this series so well-received and adored by fans everywhere.

Majdoub plays Agent Stone in the Sonic films, the assistant to Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Majdoub has appeared in all three movies, and in honor of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 releasing to home video this past week, I had the chance to talk to the series veteran and ask him what he believes makes the Sonic movies so incredible. His answer boils down to how much "heart" is put into each film and the story anyone can connect to:

The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 actor continued, saying that there's always a story in each film that anyone in the audience can relate to, and it brings people back to the theaters each time:

As someone who has always watched the Sonic movies and has been comforted by each one, I could not agree more—because truthfully, there's something we can all connect to with these films.

It's been proven time and time again. The Sonic films are considered some of the best video game movie adaptations, and the fact that they keep creating sequels is proof that people love them. Majdoub's explanation only adds to it and makes me wonder what kind of story they are going to tell next that will be just as compelling.

At this point, we don't know what will be next in Sonic's world. Amy Rose was introduced in the post-credit scene for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and that is a major deal for a lot of fans and the cast and crew. Tails' voice actress, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, even spoke about how she'd be so excited for the team aspect of Amy Rose joining the crew in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

We're not even close to the release date of the next film (March 19, 2027), and the plot is still up in the air. But there is one thing we can always count on: that no matter what they'll be about, these films will have heart, and we'll keep going to see them.

There are spoilers down below for Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credit sequence, so beware!

If you've been online for the last month, you've heard that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is happening. That's surely due in great part to Sonic 3's awesome box office run. All in all, the film is a great time, and it has a mid-credits scene that still has fans across the internet hyped!. The scene in question features a significant character introduction – and Tails' voice actress, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, has high hopes for what's to come.

The new face to the films that I'm talking about is Amy Rose, who appears to save Sonic when Metal Sonic robots attack him at the end of the latest film. When speaking to CinemaBlend ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's digital release, O'Shaughnessey spoke about how excited she is for Amy Rose to join the team. She also opined that it'll be great to have a "lady" as part of the crew and theorized how it'll probably cause a little bit of chaos among the three current anthropomorphic Team Sonic members:

Truthfully, the team-building aspect is one of the best parts of the Sonic franchise – it really is what makes these flicks some of the best video game movies in the genre. So having new characters pop up – especially a girl, now – is always welcomed.

It's not uncommon for the Sonic films to tease new characters with their post-credit sequences. The first installment teased Tails' arrival, for instance. As for the first sequel, its closing moments alluded to Shadow, who was the main antagonist (aside from Jim Carrey's hilarious double-duo of Robotnik and his grandfather) of the threequel. So, with those previous instances in mind, it was pretty much a given that the third film would feature another tease.

What's also exciting is that even bigger is that it's revealed in another post-credit scene that Shadow is alive somewhere on Earth – which means he could potentially join Team Sonic this time as well in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Colleen O'Shaughnessey isn't alone in being excited about a new team member and the further development of these famous characters. Sonic's voice actor, Ben Schwartz, expressed his interest in growing the team, especially in the next movie. So I would not be surprised if Amy Rose ends up becoming a true member of the group in the next installment.

While Sonic the Hedgehog 4 isn't part of the 2025 movie release schedule, cans can at least take comfort in the fact that another movie is indeed coming and that there's more to this story. O'Shaughnessey is the only game veteran who voices one of the main characters (as she's voiced Tails for ten years in the franchise). But who knows? It could be time for another.

Either way, it's clear people are excited about Amy Rose, and I'm hopeful that the next film will only increase the love for her among general audiences. While you wait for that next film, know that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is available on digital platforms as of January 21, 2025 and will debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 15. Time to go fast!

To the surprise of no one and the delight of just about everyone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is happening. In a couple of years, we’ll get to see the iconic and beloved “Blue Blur” and his gang of heroes take on another threat as they save Green Hills (and the rest of the world) yet again. The upcoming video game movie, which was announced right around the time Sonic the Hedgehog 3 spun into theaters and drove up box office receipts, is something we’re very excited about, as you can see.

Though we’re early in the game, so to speak, there are already a few things we know about Sonic the Hedgehog 4 that fans of the legendary video game franchise, as well as the popular video game adaptations based on Sega’s mascot, will want to know. Let’s go over everything now…

What Is The Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Release Date?

The Sonic the Hedgehog 4 release date has been set for March 19, 2027, meaning we'll have a shorter break between movies than the last time around, according to Variety.

This won’t be the first time Sonic has sprinted into theaters in the spring season, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 opened in April 2022, a little more than two years after its predecessor came onto the scene. We should know more about a precise date for the upcoming kids movie in the coming months.

What Is Sonic The Hedgehog 4 About?

Spoiler Warning: There are some spoilers for the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ending. If you have yet to watch the movie, please skip to the next section.

With Sonic the Hedgehog 4 not coming out for a little more than two years, not much has been said about the movie’s story or which game (or games) will serve as inspiration for it. That said, the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 post-credits sequences did offer several hints about what we can expect from the next installment.

In the first post-credits scene, Sonic is attacked by an army of Metal Sonics before being saved by Amy Rose, a character longtime fans have been waiting to see for a very long time. Both characters were introduced in Sonic CD back in 1993, which used time travel as a game mechanic. If the fourth movie uses the game as a basis, we could see Sonic eating chili dogs in the past and/or future.

The second sequence showed Shadow the Hedgehog returning to Earth having seemingly survived his act of self-sacrifice when destroying the Eclipse Cannon. This could lead into the next movie, or it could kick off the spinoff series Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba have talked about.

The Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Cast

Though Paramount Pictures has not come out and said who will be returning for the sequel or who will be playing new cast additions, it would be shocking if we didn’t see the major players come back for at least one more movie. Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, and Colleen O'Shaughnessy, who voiced Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, and Tails, respectively, are all expected to return, considering their stories aren’t yet complete.

The same goes for James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, who have played Tom and Maddie Wachowski since the franchise started five years ago. Neither actor has commented on a return, but it’d be hard to imagine them not being around. However, there is one actor who is open to the idea of returning.

In December 2024, Jim Carrey, who pulled double-duty as Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Professor Gerald Robotnik in Sonic 3, told Cinema Today he was “definitely open” to returning and playing the over-the-top villain at least one more time.

Director Jeff Fowler Thinks The Franchise Is Just Hitting Its ‘Stride’

As CinemaBlend’s Mike Reyes said in his Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review, the threequel pulled off the rare feat of upping the entire franchise and took it to new heights. Well, it sounded like director Jeff Fowler was looking to keep up the momentum with the upcoming fourth movie when he sat down for an interview with Variety in December 2024. In the chat, Fowler made it sound like this was just the beginning:

With Keanu Reeves’ casting as Shadow in Sonic 3 being a perfect fit for the franchise, and the same with Idris Elba as Knuckles in the second movie, we can’t wait to see what Fowler and company have in store for these characters and where the franchise will be going now that the creative team is “just hitting” their stride.

Ben Schwartz Has Teased A Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Storyline That Could Take The Movie To A ‘Whole Different Place’

Ben Schwartz loves bringing Sonic to life, and you can feel his love for the character, and franchise as a whole, in each of his performances. And so it should come as no surprise that the Parks and Recreation alum is excited for Sonic 4, and a possible storyline that could take the series to a “whole different place.” When speaking with Variety ahead of the Sonic 3 release, the comedian shed some light on what’s to come while also not giving too much away (or making any promises), stating:

The second half of Schwartz’s comments is also interesting, as each movie has felt a little different tonally while also feeling like they’re part of the same universe, which is no easy feat. Will Sonic 4 be a wild romp in the style of classic time-travel movies if those connections with Sonic CD are explored? We can only hope.

How To Watch The First Three Sonic The Hedgehog Movies

If you want to get all caught up for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 to come out in 2027, then you have plenty of time to watch the first three movies in the franchise (multiple times, even). The first two are streaming for anyone with a Paramount+ subscription, and it shouldn’t be long before Sonic 3 starts streaming on the service. But for now, the 2024 threequel is available through on-demand services like Amazon.

Stream Sonic the Hedgehog on Paramount+.

Stream Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Paramount+.

Rent/Buy Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on Amazon.

Again, we are extremely early in the game when it comes to what’s known about Sonic the Hedgehog 4. While we wait for more details, now would be a good time to check in on all the exciting releases on the 2025 movie schedule.

Once upon a time almost all movies based on video games were bad. There were a few decent video game adaptations, but none that were great. However, in recent years we have seen a few franchises adapted for the big and the small screen that have been met with critical praise, financial success, or some combination of both. One of the most successful has been the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, generally seen as some of the best video game movies to date. Now one of the writers has a dream movie he’d like to make from another popular video game franchise.

Josh Miller, who co-wrote the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, has one idea for a video game movie that he knows he’ll never get to do, because the project is already being worked on elsewhere. He tells IGN he’d love to do a Legend of Zelda movie. That’s not exactly a huge shock considering how popular the franchise is, and a Zelda movie is on the way, but he has a specific game in the series in mind which is a bit more of an unusual choice: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Miller said…

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a unique game in the ongoing adventure series, as it used a cel-shaded animation style unlike anything else that had been done before or since. A teaser for a new Zelda game had been released years before which suggested a much more realistic Zelda game, and what fans got was the most cartoonish version of Link and Zelda to date.

Having said that, The Wind Waker is an incredibly fun game, with a massive open ocean that Link gets to sail on his adventure. It’s an incredibly fun game, and very much not the sort of movie fans would likely expect to come out of the Zelda franchise, but maybe that’s what would make it so interesting.

While there’s little we know about the planned The Legend of Zelda movie that is concrete, the possibility that it will take its inspiration from The Wind Waker seems remote at best. The movie, set to be directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Wes Ball, is set to be live-action, and a version of Wind Waker that was true to its source will almost certainly need to be an animated movie along the lines of the recent Super Mario Bros. film.

Hopefully the new Legend of Zelda movie will be great. Whatever games inspire it, there will be a lot of fans waiting for it.

Reflecting back on 2024, it was a notably up and down year for films at the box office. The labor battles of 2023 forced some major schedule changes that had a big impact, and there were some notable flops and down periods, but there were also a number of massive hits and big surprises. After such a tumultuous stretch, it's difficult to predict what's coming in 2025 – but it can be said that 2024 is ending on a high note.

In addition to having two major blockbusters battling it out for dominance (namely Jeff Fowler's Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and Barry Jenkins' Mufasa: The Lion King), the final weekend of the year also features a strong showing from a bit of seasonal counterprogramming (specifically the arrival of Robert Eggers' Nosferatu). You can check out the full results of the Top 10 below and join me after for analysis.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Speeds Past $200 Million Worldwide As It Takes Its Second Domestic Box Office Crown

Last weekend, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 went toe-to-toe with Mufasa: The Lion King in an opening weekend battle, and after the former came out on top in Round 1, matching rankings have been revealed from Round 2. But while the video adaptation has held on to its domestic box office crown, the race between the two titles was much closer over the last three days.

According to The Numbers, early box office reporting says that Sonic The Hedgehog 3 made an additional $38 million in the United States and Canada over the last three days – which is less than $1 million more than its close competitor (more on that in a bit). Not only did the film make enough money to stay in first place, but it only experienced a 37 percent weekend-to-weekend drop. That suggests that the movie is performing with strong word of mouth – which fits in line with the strong response from critics (CinemaBlend's Mike Reyes gave Sonic 3 a four star review) and the "A" grade that was calculated from CinemaScore surveys.

In just a little oer a week, Sonic The Hedgehog has climbed into the domestic top 20 for 2024 (having already earned more than John Krasinski's IF did in its entire theatrical run), and it will rise into 18th place, surpassing Gil Kenan's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with just $2 million more added to its coffers. Given the way the box office landscape typically plays out in January, it has a long runway to race higher and higher up the list.

Even though Sonic The Hedgehog 3 had a softer opening than Jeff Fowler's Sonic The Hedgehog 2 in 2022 ($72.1 million) and did only slightly better than the 2020 original ($58 million), the latest sequel's current trajectory suggests that it could end up outgrossing both of its predecessors domestically. The first sequel is currently the biggest hit of the trio, having made $190.8 million during its run in the United States and Canada, but Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is looking to be even bigger – and it's a good omen for what is being cooked up for the announced Sonic The Hedgehog 4.

Worldwide, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 has made $210 million on the big screen thus far – but on that scale, it's actually being outpaced by its most significant box office competition.

Mufasa: The Lion King Has To Settle For Second Place Again, But Box Office Numbers Are Actually Up From Last Week

If you recalled last week's box office chart while observing the Top 10 above, you'd be excused for performing a double take. There is no typo: Mufasa: The Lion King made more in its second weekend of domestic release than its first. Final numbers during the prequel's debut saw the film earn $35.4 million (which was significantly less than the $60.1 million made by Sonic The Hedgehog 3), but the life-like animated feature followed up that performance by making $37.1 million in the final weekend of the year).

In contrast to the aforementioned impressive 37 percent weekend-to-weekend drop of the video game movie, that's a five percent weekend-to-weekend increase, despite no change in theater count. I pondered in my box office column last week, if families seeing Sonic The Hedgehog 3 last weekend would opt to see Mufasa: The Lion King this weekend, and the ticket sales suggest that to be a reasonable surmise.

The Barry Jenkins film hasn't broken into the domestic Top 20 yet like its fellow Christmas season blockbuster, but it has made $88.4 million so far, and every sign points towards it continuing to be a significant box office presence for weeks to come. It's worth noting that it is playing bigger overseas than it is at home, as it has earned $328 million worldwide to date,

Nosferatu Proves Popular Christmas Season Counterprogramming As Robert Eggers Has His Best Opening Weekend Success

With Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King obviously set to dominate the box office, the lineup of new releases from this past week were all smaller prestige titles – and while James Mangold's A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet and Halina Reijn's Babygirl with Nicole Kidman didn't make too big a splash, the same can't be said for Nosferatu. The movie is the buzziest horror title we've seen arrive in theaters since the end of spooky season, and it not only made $19.2 million in its first weekend, but it has made $40.3 million since it arrive in theaters on Christmas Day.

The success of the violent and eerie vampire film has instantly made it the biggest box office success of Robert Eggers' career thus far. The writer/director has earned extreme acclaim since the release of his feature directorial, 2016's The Witch, but his highest grossing feature prior to Nosferatu was The Northman, which completed its time playing on the big screen making just $34.2 million.

So what can we expect from the 2025 Movie Release Calendar? The answer is not much immediately, as there actually aren't any fresh wide releases arriving in theaters for the first weekend of the new year. That being said, you should still plan to head back here to CinemaBlend next Sunday for my latest box office report and an update about all of the titles mentioned above.

When it comes to video game characters, Sonic is probably one of the most recognizable. Now, with a successful trilogy of movies and the third Sonic the Hedgehog film earning a great review from CinemaBlend, the hedgehog voiced by Ben Schwartz is recognizable as a major movie character, too. So, when I interviewed the actor behind the speedy creature about the film's debut on the 2024 movie schedule, I asked about his favorite aspect of voicing him, and his answer was so sweet I could cry.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3, of course, featured Schwartz's blue hedgehog and his team taking on another crazy adventure together, but voicing the character isn't all the actor does. I fully realized that when I asked what his favorite thing was about voicing the hedgehog, and he responded with an answer that actually had nothing to do with making the movie:

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sprinted past all the competition at the box office during its first week of release, so it's clear that kids and their parents love these films. However, hearing about how Schwartz interacts directly with the youngsters amplifies this franchise's impact even more. Now, I'm legit about to cry because this is all so wholesome.

In a world with so many animated films out there, it's a joy to see an actor put so much passion and love into voicing a character for one. What makes all this even better is the Parks and Rec actor does the voice off the clock too for the kids because they adore Sonic so much.

On top of this sweet thing Schwartz does in character, he has really brought a lot to Sonic in general. It's clear he loves voicing the famous speedy hedgehog, and he will continue to do so as long as the movies keep going on – which, will happen since Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is already confirmed.

There's plenty to adore about the latest Sonic the Hedgehog movie, from the hilarious dancing scene with Jim Carrey to moments where certain characters might be dead or not and so much more. However, at the heart of it all, there's Sonic and his team, and behind all that, is Ben Schwartz, loving voicing the character and making kids happy everywhere.

Warning: spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are in play.

The competition surrounding the final 2024 movies on the calendar has gotten pretty intense this week. Even if you focused on the box-office battle between Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King, that dance seems to be getting a bit more intense on a daily basis.

While we know that the Disney prequel leads to one of the most heart-wrenching deaths in animated history, Sonic 3 has its fair share of supposed scrapes with mortality. One of which may not be as bad as I had thought, after seeing the film a second time.

What Happened To Commander Walters In Sonic 3, And What The Writers Had To Say

Over the weekend, I decided to check out Sonic 3’s 4DX adventure. That hype came after speaking with writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller, who've penned the Blue Blur’s box office bonanzas since 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog.

They were also my virtual guests during a press day for their three-quel, and that was when I'd asked we supposedly see G.U.N. Commander Walters (Tom Butler) taken out in a drone attack. Co-writer Josh Miller’s answer to that question was quite the tease, as he offered CinemaBlend this:

Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s ending left us all hanging on the hook, with the introduction of Shadow. But apparently, as Miller further clarified in his remarks, that fact meant that Tom Butler’s franchise fixture needed to return now more than ever. As good Commander was the first person to tell us about Project Shadow, and Walters' role in that organization, a bit of retconning was required.

According to further details from Josh Miller, both the present and past (James Wolk) incarnation of this military man suggested that G.U.N. had existed for some time - instead of supposedly springing up as a result of Sonic the Hedgehog. Further backing Mr. Miller's comments to CinemaBlend, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 shared this additional story note that ties it all together:

While Sonic 3’s ending teases towards some other, bigger implications, Commander Walters’ status is still a bit up in the air. And after seeing the latest adventure of Team Sonic a second time, there’s some truth to Josh Miller’s potentially half-joking statement.

The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Clues That Seem To Support Commander Walters’ Survival

The first thing I noticed when revisiting Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was in the scene where Director Rockwell (Krysten Ritter) is searching for Commander Walters’ key to the Eclipse Cannon. One of the G.U.N. personnel in that same scene tells us a medivac chopper has been sent to recover Walters. That right there doesn’t seem to suggest mortality, as you don’t medivac a dead body.

As for the second piece of dialogue that leaves this death further in doubt, when Tom (James Marsden) tricks Director Rockwell in disguise. Using Walters as the form to dupe her, she is surprised to see him alive.

However, that rouse is never unmasked, and Rockwell is left to think that Walters is potentially alive. In a flick where we saw Tom take a power punch from Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) and live to tell the tale, that just might be the truth.

Maybe an eventual deleted scene, or shared draft of the script will tell us something different about where Sonic the Hedgehog 3 leaves Commander Walters. For now though, you can see the latest installment in theaters, before or after you catch the first two Sonic movies and the Knuckles series through your Paramount+ subscription!

The following article contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, so beware if you haven't caught the fun family flick yet!

If you've been keeping up to date with the 2024 movie schedule, you probably know about the hit release Sonic the Hedgehog 3 which has earned a solid review from CinemaBlend and easily sprinted past the competition at the holiday box office this weekend. While it continues the story of the famous speedy hedgehog and his team, there's one particular dance sequence that had me laughing, and director Jeff Fowler told me how they brought it to life --specifically with the help of Jim Carrey.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Dr. Robotnick (played by Jim Carrey) meets his long-lost grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnick (also Carrey), and when the two of them don special suits in order to sneak through a laser-filled room, of course, a totally hilarious dance sequence breaks out. I was so enamored by the scene that when I spoke with director Jeff Fowler, I asked him about how it came together.

Apparently, it was actually Jim Carrey's idea in the first place, as he told CinemaBlend:

Honestly, I'm not surprised it was Jim Carrey's idea to bring the dance sequence to life as a callback to earlier in the franchise. His moment in the first film was super funny, but adding a dance team to choreograph, an intense set design and having two Carreys performing at the same time made it all the more over-the-top—so much so that I'd willingly pay to see the movie again just to watch this moment. I mean, Carrey is notoriously hands-on with his roles, so it makes total sense he would up the ante for the third film.

Carrey's ideas for Robotnick and his grandfather have paid off. Prior to the film's release, some critics said Jim Carrey stole the show from Shadow (Keanu Reeves) and that he was really one of the biggest draws of this movie for his "epic performance." Plus, Jeff Fowler has said cool things about working with Carrey on set before and how he always wants to work hard and deliver in his roles, and this time around, he delivered twice as much hilarity.

The film's ending doesn't give us a ton of hope for Robotnik (or his grandfather) returning, but Carrey did previously say he was retired and then returned for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, so never say never. Maybe we'll get lucky enough in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 to see Carrey pull off another fun dance sequence.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters today and considering the first two entries in the Sonic franchise are among some of the best video game movies to date, expectations are certainly high. The new movie will continue to bring the expansive lore of the video game franchise onto the big screen. However, that will be limited to the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves.

If you’re unfamiliar with the massive Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise, then just know that there are a lot of characters who have appeared in dozens of games over the decades. However, Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler tells Comicbook.com that the new movie limited the introductions to Shadow to not overwhelm the film with new characters. He explained…

Shadow isn’t the only “new” character in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Jim Carrey does double duty in the movie, both returning as Dr. Robotnik and playing his own grandfather. Many critics think Carrey steals the movie, making Keanu’s debut as Shadow less impressive than it perhaps could have been. If that’s the case, one can only imagine how buried any of the other characters would have been if there had been even more to introduce, explain, and incorporate into the story.

The Sonic the Hedgehog series has had a consistent structure when it comes to introducing characters. The post-credits scene of each movie introduces a new player who then becomes a focus in the following movie. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 gave us both Tails and Knuckles and with three CGI anthropomorphic animals, Sonic 3 became the first story where the human characters (save Robotnik) aren’t major players in the plot, letting Team Sonic take the lead.

Not to spoil anything, but Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does have a post-credits scene which does introduce new characters, and considering that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has already been officially confirmed, we know that we’ll get to see more of them. And if the franchise continues, there are still plenty more characters to be introduced in one movie after another as long as they continue to give them all time to breathe.

When it comes to adaptations of Sonic the Hedgehog lore, there’s two people my mind automatically goes to when imagining his voice. Those two people are naturally the OG animated actor Jaleel White, and the cinematic blue blur himself Ben Schwartz. Surprisingly, in the run up to Sonic 3’s release in the final throes of 2024 movies, the Parks and Rec veteran shared the story of how he landed the role to begin with. And while it’s still pretty cool, it’s not as adorable as I’d expected.

I think it’s because we’re conditioned to want the good old fashioned tale of a fan getting to live their dream and play the character they’ve always loved. That story about David Corenswet landing the lead in Superman while making Twisters is a good example. But in a CBS Morning’s Instagram video promoting the outlet’s interview with Schwartz and co-star James Marsden, the comedian shared the following as his Sonic the Hedgehog origin story:

If there wasn’t already a comment in the post sharing this video calling for a t-shirt that bears that very phrase, I’d have suggested it myself. What sounded like a kind of off-handed decision isn’t the sort of warm and fuzzy story you might hope for. But at the same time, I do think it speaks volumes about Ben Schwartz’s comic abilities and how they fit the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.

Those chops are part of how we’ve seen other stories praising Schwartz and his ability to think stuff up on the fly. Sonic 2’s deleted Parks and Rec joke is one such case that sells that feeling, as his quick witted improv skills helped out in a situation where there wasn’t a set movie to play off of as Sonic reacted to another family movie night.

It may not be the coziest story in the history of choosing the right lead, but much as Lilo and Stitch co-director Chris Sanders lucked his way into voicing his own blue creation, Ben Schwartz lucked his way into the role of Sonic the Hedgehog. Simply by displaying his prowess for playing this ever evolving character, it really is hard to think of anyone else in the role.

Which is funny considering that Sonic the Hedgehog trivia hinted at another famous person playing the role that James Marsden eventually nabbed. And just as it's difficult to picture another actor voicing Sonic, I can't even begin to imagine Marsden, Tika Sumpter, or any of the other stellar members of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's cast being replaced by another actor.

This holiday is all about Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and you’ll be able to see the picture in theaters, with early showings starting today. Anyone who wants to refresh their memory on the lore of the first two films, or needs to catch the Knuckles spin-off series to fill in the gaps, can do so pretty easily. It’s all waiting at the Paramount+ subscription portal of your choosing, and makes for a fantastic year-end break of relaxation and excitement.

The 2024 movie schedule still has some spectacular titles on the docket, and that including Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Jeff Fowler, the beloved film franchise’s director, has been making the rounds as of late, discussing the making of the threequel. Just recently, had some great things to say about two of the film's biggest stars, Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves. And, while he shared some cool bits about the two, I’m really floored and impressed after hearing Fowler's story about how Carrey works on set.

The third installment of Sega's big-screen franchise has been well reviewed by critics thus far, with many praising Jim Carrey’s epic performance. As for CinemaBlend's own Sonic 3 review, Mike Reyes says the film levels up the franchise, which is a rare feat for a multiple-installment adaptation. Fowler shared with Deadline how Carrey and Keanu Reeves were vital components of the film and how dedicated both were to their craft. He shared of Reeves’ magnetic complexity:

The film director and animator is spot on with his character assessment of the John Wick star. As Shadow, he is the perfect foil to Ben Schwartz’s Sonic. After all, he was tapped to play the edgy hedgehog antihero, because Fowler thought his role in the action/thriller hitman series made him a perfect fit. I couldn’t have thought of a better person for the job and can’t wait to see Reeves deliver in Sonic 3.

The 46-year-old filmmaker went on to share more about the legendary Jim Carrey and his dedication to his roles. He said of the Mask star:

As a Jim Carrey stan until the day I die, I completely believe this about his work ethic. It’s visible in his body of work, so it’s gratifying to hear that his heart and mind are injected into his projects. And the icing on top was learning about the Dumb & Dumber star’s funny reasons for returning from retirement.

Jeff Fowler then went on to specify Carrey’s dedication to an integral scene where the actor plays both parts and delivered beautifully:

In my mind, there are only a few other actors and actresses who can and have pulled of playing two different characters in one scene. Given my fandom, I’m not surprised Carrey’s part of that special group. (If you were wondering, Lindsay Lohan in Parent Trap and Ewan McGregor in Fargo are the other two that come to mind.) I'm sure this scene will have complexity, intrigue and of course, some good laughs.

Now, I'm really looking forward to catching Jeff Fowler’s third Sonic after hearing these behind the scene tidbits on Reeves and Carrey. And I especially cannot wait to see how the Truman Show star’s dedication to his roles and the film itself translates to the screen.

Stream the first and second Sonic with a Hulu subscription before Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races into theaters on December 20.

If you had asked anyone who saw the “Ugly Sonic” trailer for the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie how they’d feel about a full trilogy of Sega adaptations, they’d have probably laughed at you. Oh how far we’ve come, in the course of four years and three chapters in director Jeff Fowler’s ongoing series of fan favorite films. It’s all flown by like a blue blur, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 shows that there’s no signs of stopping when it comes to this sci-fi action extravaganza's potential. And the best part is that this viewpoint should be openly welcomed by fans, as Sonic 3 represents the rare leveling up of a saga as it reaches trilogy status.

Taking a healthy dose of inspiration from the Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure 2, the world of Team Sonic is expanded with new anti-hero: Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves). Armed with a tragic backstory and the decades-long grudge that it spawned, his presence represents the greatest threat that Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) have yet faced.

It honestly wouldn’t be a “third movie” without making that sort of promise, but where Sonic 3 truly delivers is in how it handles its elevation of stakes. The returning writing team of Pat Casey & Josh Miller, along with franchise newcomer John Whittington, show that they truly understand the difference between merely making a bigger, louder adventure and properly scaling up the thrills worthy of a second return to the movies. That sort of thinking is exhibited by this burgeoning cinematic universe, which isn’t afraid to walk a fine line between the funny and the dramatic.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is a rare example of a third entry being the best, while still showing plenty of room for growth.

As a fan who’s admired the Sonic the Hedgehog mythos since the Sega Genesis days, being able to claim the pictures inspired by those titles as fond favorites already feels like a rarity. So for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to be able to land as a third chapter that doesn’t try too hard to be an “epic conclusion” meant to attract a wider audience is practically alchemy.

There’s no ill-founded pretense of trying to even sell Sonic 3 as an “end of an era,” as there are numerous characters and storylines that can still be pulled from the extended canon for future movies. While certain aspects of this still developing series do feel like they come to a natural end, there’s an understanding that this world always has a surprise waiting.

You could even apply this lesson to the fact that not only is Jim Carrey back in the Sonic 3 cast, he’s pulling double duty as both Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald. Doubling the comedic genius’ presence is a move that, on the surface level, feels like another play from the “bigger and louder” playbook. It's the notable differences between both characters that actually leave us wanting to see them on screen together, which leaves Carrey with even more opportunities to stretch his comedic and dramatic muscles.

Keanu Reeves’ Shadow successfully helps bring the third chapter of the Sonic franchise into more mature storytelling.

I still remember the days when the Shadow the Hedgehog spin-off game had Sega fans laughing at how it was clearly obvious the series was trying to get “gritty.” Providing another benchmark for how far Sonic’s pop culture imprint has evolved, the escalation of stakes in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not a fluke or a misunderstood opportunity like that much maligned 2005 video game. Instead, it manages to implement what so many trilogies get wrong with their capstone entries: proper storytelling that knows the lane it’s in, and never waivers.

Keanu Reeves’ Shadow is the key ingredient that allows all of this to happen, as he represents the constantly adjusted vibe of the first two Sonic movies. The fun and games, reference-filled buddy comedy aspect has died down, which has allowed characters like Shadow and Knuckles to properly be added to the fold. The tone encompassing black and red hedgehog is especially important to get right, as his tale includes a tragic death that defines his worldview – a detail that the beloved John Wick star absolutely nails in his vocal performance.

Yes, there are actual human deaths in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, including one that fans have clocked since the trailers dropped. If we were still dealing with the atmosphere of previous installments, those events would look as out of place as Shadow the Hedgehog all of a sudden being given a gun in the Sega games.

This steady progression of understanding the tone and the lore of the Sonic movies also treats us to even more dramatically nuanced performances from the returning cast. Sure, Ben Schwartz’s Sonic is still a kidder who loves a good joke. While that element doesn’t change, plot beats where the friendship at the heart of Team Sonic is fractured land as examples of natural pivots between seriously threatening moments and lighthearted action-comedy.

Director Jeff Fowler’s visual eye, paired with Tom Holkenborg’s energetic score, allow Sonic The Hedgehog 3 to look and sound like a proper video game experience.

It’s fitting that director Jeff Fowler has been allowed to make the best Sonic movie of the series with Shadow the Hedgehog: a character he directed in the aforementioned spinoff game everyone looked down on. Like a gleaming golden ring, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 brings Fowler, and the fans, full circle in the most beautiful way possible.

Matching his efforts every step of the way is composer Tom Holkenborg, who once again writes a score that sounds like you’ve just pressed start on something big. Sonic 3 allows him some extra time to shine, as he works in even more of the most beloved musical signatures from Sega’s library into this three-quel’s auditory landscape.

Frankly, that same praise could be offered for any one who’s returned to the Sonic movies. The love that’s shown by the creative talents and the cast is so readily apparent, it sells this world of wonder all the better. With the big emotional and dramatic swings that are taken here, that would have been a requirement no matter who was involved. Even in something as small as the hysterical cameos from Shemar Moore and Natasha Rothwell, you can tell that they were more than happy to keep playing this rather enjoyable game.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 isn’t just a fantastic video game sequel, it’s a lesson in how to continually reward a loyal fan base. Which, again, makes thinking back to the “Ugly Sonic” debacle all the more laughable. For as much as all invested wanted a good time out of the Sonic movies, no one could have predicted they’d be this good.

I do hope that this is merely the beginning of a larger and wider world for these Sega icons, but at the same time, the same patient pacing and craftwork that’s gone into everything we’ve seen thus far needs to be present. If Sonic the Hedgehog 4 does everything in its power to continue this upward trajectory of invested storytelling and heartfelt integration of canon, I’ll continue to speed into the theater to enjoy it all.

The two previous Sonic the Hedgehog movies are generally considered some of the best video game adaptations of recent years. If the third installment needed anything special to help make it noteworthy, it certainly got it when it was revealed that the movie’s antagonist, Shadow the Hedgehog, would be voiced by the internet’s favorite boyfriend, Keanu Reeves. He recently appeared at the Sonic 3 premiere, and both he and partner Alexandra Grant really stole the show.

It was on this past Monday night that Keanu Reeves attended the premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and walked on a unique carpet. The walkway wasn’t the traditional red, but a bright blue so as to better fit the iconic hedgehog. All the film’s stars looked incredible, as one might expect, but Reeves may have outshined them all, especially since he was standing side-by-side with his longtime partner. Check out the photo below:

Red carpets are one of the few places where we see Reeves and Grant together. While the Bill & Ted icon is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, he has kept his personal life, including his relationship with Grant, largely out of the public eye. The two have been together since 2019, but neither one of them has said too much about their relationship publicly. Grant has spoken about how her own notoriety has been something she’s had to get used to since she started dating the star of John Wick and The Matrix.

When Keanu Reeves does talk about his relationship he does so very happily. The pair clearly love simply being together, even if that means doing so in front of the camera on a bright blue carpet at a movie premiere.

Most of the rest of the cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was in attendance at the premiere event. Jim Carrey, who plays two Robtniks this time around, was there alongside Ben Schwartz, who voices Sonic. James Marsden, who plays one of the primary human characters was also there, alongside Krysten Ritter who also joins the franchise with the new film. One member of the cast who was conspicuously absent was the voice of Knuckles, Idris Elba.

Hopes are certainly high for Sonic 3, as the last movie in the franchise set several box office records for movies based on video games, some of which had been previously set by the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie. If the third film is able to outdo its predecessor to the same degree, we could be looking at a pretty massive holiday hit.

Of course, the new Sonic movie will have some significant competition in the form of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, another movie appealing to family audiences during the holiday time period that is set to release on the same day. Of course, Mufasa doesn’t have Keanu Reeves, and that alone may be enough to draw in many viewers.

You can hear Keanu Reeves lend his voice to Shadow the Hedgehog when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens on December 20 amid the 2024 movie schedule.

This has been an extra special year for those who like the Sonic the Hedgehog film continuity. Starting off, the first tie-in TV series, Knuckles, was released to Paramount+ subscription holders in April, and now we’re just a week away from Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s arrival on the 2024 movies schedule. Idris Elba, of course, reprised Knuckles for both projects, and Keanu Reeves is debuting in the threequel as Shadow the Hedgehog. While we’re still in the dark about what will go down between these two in Sonic 3, evidently things won’t end on too bad of a note, as Elba and Reeves want a spinoff starring their characters and pitched some excellent titles for it.

The actors shared their enthusiasm for such a team-up while speaking with ComicBook, offering the below titles as straightforward, yet nonetheless on-point suggestions for that this spinoff would be called:

Idris Elba: I’m telling you… Shadow Knuckles
Keanu Reeves: No, Knuckles and Shadow.
Elba: Shadow Knuckles sounds like a band.

Hey, why overcomplicate the title for a spinoff starring these characters? Much like how the title for the upcoming Paramount+ series NCIS: Tony & Ziva is “fantastic,” there’s no need to come up with something complicated for such a Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff. Just keep it simple! As for if I like Shadow Knuckles or Knuckles and Shadow, I have to go with the latter, but not because of Idris Elba’s band observation.

Rather than Knuckles and Shadow being its own series or movie, I think it would be better if that was the title used for Knuckles Season 2, assuming that’s in the cards. Assuming Shadow comes out of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a good guy, or at least less inclined to kill Knuckles, Sonic and Tails, then would be easy enough to throw him into an adventures with Knuckles that requires them to work together. Tack on Shadow’s name to the Knuckles show, and you give people more incentive to check out the next season.

Of course, even entertaining the possibility of a Knuckles and Shadow movie or series happening in any form can’t truly happen until Sonic the Hedgehog 3 comes out. In addition to Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves, as well as Ben Schwartz and Colleen O'Shaughnessey respectively reprising Sonic and Tails, the threequel sees the return of folks like James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, and Jim Carrey playing both Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald. Newcomers include Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, James Wolk, and Jorma Taccone.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races into theaters on December 20. If the day comes that Knuckles and Shadow is officially announced, count on CinemaBlend to pass along that news.

It’s that time: Christmas time is here! And supposedly everybody knows that there’s no better time of year; at least that’s what the opening song to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation would tell us. While the 2024 movie schedule isn’t the home of that Chevy Chase classic, the latest poster for the upcoming sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an A+ parody of that very film -- and now it’s left me wanting a holiday special focused on Jim Carrey’s Robotnik family. Are you listening, Paramount?

Thanks to the folks at Paramount Pictures, we now have our hands on this beautiful comedy masterpiece you could hang on your wall…if it was being sold to the public, that is. No, this image is heading to the internet, as part of the “12 Hours of Sonic” promotion that’s highlighting the Ben Schwartz/Keanu Reeves starring three-quel. CinemaBlend got the Exclusive on this one. Ho-ho-holy moly, are we lucky!

If I wasn’t already sold on this movie by personal fandom, as well as that first Sonic 3 trailer, this would probably be the icing on the cake for me. And if I'm being honest, this is in light of the fact that I'm not exactly a fan of Christmas Vacation.

Which doesn't really color my view on this promo art any differently, as I can still get a laugh out of the well tuned homage to the poster from that 1988 comedy. Shown below, you can see how the look, feel, and even the tagline of that beloved Chevy Chase staple were all ripe for a Robotnik flavored revamp:

However, I will admit to being both a fan of the best Jim Carrey movies, as well as the man’s career in general. And while the folks at Paramount might think I'm asking for a lot here, I'm going to pitch my holiday special anyway. Perhaps Sonic franchise director Jeff Fowler, and writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller, will back what I'm about to say as a viable option.

Why We Need A Robotnik Holiday Special In The Sonic Universe

We’ve already got a taste of what a Robotnik family holiday would look like, thanks to a more recent look at Sonic the Hedgehog 3 showing grandpa Gerald surprising his grandson Ivo as Santa. But if you look at the pedigree of several of the parties involved in these movies, they’re all holiday entertainment veterans.

Obviously Jim Carrey was The Grinch in Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. As someone who still defends that film, and vehemently disagrees the case that Illumination’s The Grinch is somehow better, that’s the first win notched in the column.

The second win comes from the fact that Sonic movie writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller are the credited team behind 2022’s action-comedy Violent Night. But a third unexpected win happened to arrive while I was putting together my case for A Very Robotnik Christmas to exist. And you can watch it for yourself, as Paramount's gift to us all:

So if I’m presented with the option to watch a Sonic the Hedgehog holiday special, starring one of my favorite Grinches and written by the people who cemented David Harbour as one of the best modern Santas, then you can bet that I’m going to push for it! Especially because as we saw with this year’s Knuckles spin-off series, this universe is one that’s easily expandable.

And when there's already a mini-Christmas special in existence, it's harder to deny this project's potential. Not to mention, it would kind of make up for A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All somehow not being streamable on Paramount+. Putting that point aside, I welcome the fact that some will say that the idea of A Robotnik Family Christmas, complete with Jim Carrey playing the entire family, is absurd.

That’s ok, as we’re supposed to come together despite our differences at this time of year. However you can’t disagree with the fact that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be in theaters on December 20th. Nor can you speak against how both previous Sonic movies are available to watch through a Paramount+ subscription. I do love a good debate, but those are all stone cold facts.

While historically video game movies have failed to impress, the subgenre has been doing quite well in recent years. A few hits have arrived including Sonic the Hedgehog, which is one of the best video game movies in recent memory. It's since grown into a full-blown franchise, including the Knuckles series which as released for those with a Paramount+ subscription. The next upcoming video game movie is Sonic 3, and director Jeff Fowler had a very specific Keanu Reeves character in mind when he cast the action star to play Shadow.

What we know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is limited, but fans are excited that the villainous Shadow will be joining the fray in the blockbuster. Sonic 3's cast list is buoyed by the inclusion of Keanu, and it turns out that his role was influenced by one of Reeves' most iconic roles: John Wick. As director Jeff Fowler revealed in an upcoming issue of SFX Magazine:

Honestly, can you blame him? John Wick is one of the most badass characters in film history, one that Keanu Reeves has become synonymous with in the years since he debuted that killer title character. And since Shadow is a bit of a brooding bad boy himself, the correlation makes a great deal of sense. Although now I really wish Sonic 3 had arrived already.

The John Wick franchise is kickstarted by the title character's dog being killed, which ends up inspiring Keanu Reeves' character to return to his life as a brutal hitman. So despite how many people he kills through the franchise, the audience is still very much on his side.

While Shadow's backstory in the forthcoming threequel hasn't been confirmed, the trailers for Sonic 3 seem to hint that his origin from the video games is being faithfully adapted for film. In the games, his companion Maria is killed before his eyes, inspiring him to take up villainy. Fans are def hyped about this potentially being brought to life in film, even though it means the Sonic movie will kill off a kid.

Luckily the wait is nearly over. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will hit theaters on December 20, 2024. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

For almost as long as video games have been popular, Hollywood has been adapting them for movies and television shows. Often it's fighting games like Mortal Kombat, but even more G-rated games like Candy Crush have been adapted in one way or another. The adaptations aren't always great, but the games they chose usually are. Here is our list of great games that have been adapted into movies and TV shows.

Mortal Kombat

When the first Mortal Combat video game was first released in 1992 it was immediately one of the most controversial games on the market. It was also massively popular. It's still very popular, as new games have continued to be released over the years and there have been multiple adaptions, including for the first time as a movie in 1995.

Tomb Raider

The first Tomb Raider video game came out in 2001 and there have been multiple installments of the game about a female archeologist and action hero, Lara Croft. The game was first adapted into a movie starring Angelia Jolie in 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and its sequel. It was adapted again in a reboot starring Alicia Vikander, in 2018.

Sonic The Hedgehog

The first Sonic The Hedgehog game became a pillar of the SEGA gaming system in 1991. It took a long time, but it was eventually adapted into a hit movie in 2020 with the same name. In the '90s, it was briefly turned into an animated show as well.

The Last Of Us

The Last Of Us was an unlikely hit video game before it was turned into a very well-received hit TV show on HBO. The show, starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, has found fans far from its core gamer base and is one of the best shows in HBO in recent history.

Warcraft

The Warcraft series of video games has been one of the more enduring franchises in the whole industry. It makes sense that eventually it would get adapted into a movie. It finally was for the first time in 2016. Unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to the popularity of the game and was a critical and box office flop.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 defied all the cynics when it became a massive hit. Critics of the movie doubted the animated movie could be a hit, but in a tribute to the enduring popularity of a game series that started in the early 1980s, the movie went on to make over $1.3 billion at the box office.

Five Nights at Freddy's

Indie video games don't often turn into huge media franchises, but that is just what Five Nights at Freddy's has done. The original game, released in 2004 found a hardcore cult following that has grown with each subsequent release. The first movie was released in 2023 and made more than ten times its budget at the box office.

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

In the mid-80s, computer games were still in their infancy, and one of the most popular games was Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? It was so popular that it was turned into a kids game show in 1991 with the late, great Lynn Thigpen presenting it. It was rebooted by Netflix, but that proved to be a great example of a show that didn't need to be rebooted.

Twisted Metal

Between 1996 and 2012 the Twisted Metal franchise released eight games and became one of the most popular driving games of all time. More than a decade after its last release, it was turned into a TV show on Peacock where its enduring popularity made it a hit.

Assassin's Creed

The Assassin's Creed games have been wildly popular since the first game was released in 2007. Multiple version of the game, spread out over different eras of history, have remained popular in spite of the one attempt to adapt to a movie, starring Michael Fassbender, in 2016, disappointed critics and fans of the game alike.

Double Dragon

Double Dragon was one of the very first one-on-one fighting games when it was first released in 1987. It was also one of the first to be adapted into a movie when a film starring Robert Patrick, Scott Wolf, and Alyssa Milano was released in 1994. The movie was pretty bad, and that was reflected in its dismal box office performance.

Resident Evil

Resident Evil is a rare example of a video series and a movie series that have both been wildly successful. Multiple entries of both have proven to be popular over the last couple of decades. Zombies never really go out of style.

Fallout

The Fallout video game series launched in 1997 and multiple entires in both the main series and in spinoffs have been released in the years since. After a few attempts to get a movie made, the game was finally adapted for a TV show in 2024, and it became an instant hit on Amazon's stream service.

Rampage

Of all the movies on this list, Rampage has to be the one that was the most surprising to get a movie adaptation of it. Sure, the game was popular when it was released in 1987, but it never seemed like the kind of game that would get turned into a movie. That is until it was made into a disaster film starring Dwayne Johnson in 2018.

Pokémon

It's hard to pick just one adaption for Pokémon. The franchise is ubiquitous in every possible way. Whether it's video games, playing cards, comic books, TV shows, and movies, Pokémon is everywhere.

Pac-Man

In the 1980s Pac-Man was more than just a video game. It was a cultural phenomenon. It was really the first time a video crossed over fully into pop culture, so it makes sense that it would be one of the first games to get adapted into a TV show, in the form of a Saturday morning cartoon in 1982.

Doom

Dwayne Johnson has starred in a few video game adaptations, including 2005's Doom. The movie was based on one of the first, and most popular first-person shooter games of the same name that was also incredibly controversial as such. The movie was less controversial, and significantly less popular than the game as well.

Candy Crush

One of the early smash hit games for smartphones was Candy Crush when it came out in 2012. It was adapted into a game show presented by Mario Lopez in 2017, but it was not popular, to say the least, and was canceled after just nine episodes.

Maniac Mansion

Perhaps the weirdest entry on this list is Maniac Mansion. The 1987 PC-based game was pretty popular for its day, but no one would have thought it could be turned into a TV. Those doubters were proved wrong when it did become a TV show on Canadian television in 1990. The show did not have much in common with the game, however.

Halo

When the XBox was first released, a ton of effort was put into the first game included with the console, Halo. It has remained a staple of the console and many different versions of the game have been released over the years. After many starts and stops in other media, with multiple attempts to make various movies and TV shows, finally in 2022 the hit franchise was launched as a TV series on Paramount+, where it ran for two seasons.

Alone In The Dark

In 1992 Atari created the first Alone In The Dark game and it has since gone on to become one of the most enduring franchises since. In the ultimate proof that a game's popularity doesn't automatically translate to box office success, the 2005 Alone In The Dark movie, starring Christian Slater, was a huge bomb.

DOA: Dead Or Alive

Sometimes it seems that most video game adaptions bomb when they are adapted into movies. That's because of movies like DOA: Dead Or Alive. Based on the hit fighting franchise of the same name DOA: Dead Or Alive absolutely tanked at the box office, making less than $8 million against a $30 million budget.

Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time starring Jake Gyllenhaal was a huge gamble by Disney when they put up a monster budget to adapt the movie from the hit video game franchise, Prince of Persia. The movie made money, which must have relieved some at the House of Mouse, but it was a pretty modest success, and ultimately a planned sequel was canceled.

Tekken

Fighting game franchise Tekken launched on the heels of the massive success of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. For many, it's always felt like a bit of a copycat to those other two monster franchises, but it has a solid core of fans. Enough, in fact, to get a movie financed in 2009, but it completely bombed at the box office.

Knuckles

Paramount+ show Knuckles is a rare example of a spinoff of a video game adaptation. The show is based on the titular character, known as Knuckles the Echidna in full, who appears in the Sonic The Hedgehog movies and is also a playable character in video games. He first appeared in the third installment of the video game, in 1994.

Need for Speed

A popular genre of video game that seems like more adaptations could come from is racing games. There aren't many, though Need for Speed is a notable exception. The games are all great, and the movie is a pretty great car racing movie.

Wing Commander

For some of us, it's hard to believe that the Wing Commander video game franchise is more than three decades old at this point, but the first one was released in 1990. The movie adaption, released in 1999, was significantly less memorable, having bombed big time at the box office.

House Of The Dead

German director Uwe Boll made a name for himself in the mid-'00s when he adapted a slew of video games into films. Unfortunately, almost all of them bombed, including his first attempt, House of the Dead in 2013. It was adapted from the video game of the same name.

Gangs Of London

The 2006 game Gangs of London seemed like an unlikely choice for adaptation, but it defied expectations when it became a surprising hit TV show for Sky Atlantic and AMC in 2020. Popular with fans and critics alike, the show has proven to be more popular than the game it is based on.

BloodRayne

BloodRayne, starring Kristanna Loken, Michael Madsen, and Michelle Rodriguez was the third attempt by director Uwe Boll to adapt a video game. It was also the third time that an attempt bombed at the box office. The movie is based on a pretty popular game released in 2002.

Uncharted

With almost a dozen released over the years, Uncharted has remained a very popular video game series. As such, it makes sense that someone would try to adapt into a hit movie. The 2022 movie starring Tom Holland turned into one of the most popular video game adaptations of all time, bringing in more than $400 million at the box office.

Street Fighter

Before Tekken, and before Mortal Kombat, there was Street Fighter. For its many fans, it was and remains still the greatest fighting game of all time. With dozens of releases over the years on virtually every game console since the '80s, it's one of the giants in video game history. It was first adapted into a live-action film in 1994 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and over the years it's been adapted into multiple animated movies and TV shows.

Fans of Sega's original flagship series mascot are buzzing with excitement as the release date for the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 3 approaches its 2024 movie schedule debut. But this week an unexpected reveal from Regal Movies has fans theorizing about what surprises the third installment has in store. Alongside the announcement of the exclusive Popcorn bucket and Funko Pop collectibles tied to the movie, eagle-eyed fans noticed a character that was not officially announced: Cream the Rabbit. Did marketing reveal just spoil a new video game character’s entrance on the big screen?

For those who missed it, Regal took to their X (formerly Twitter) account recently, unveiling a themed popcorn bucket as well as a collection of Funko Pop figures for the upcoming video game movie, coinciding with their promotional efforts for the movie's December 20 release. The lineup, featuring Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow the Hedgehog, is already a treat for fans. However, nestled among the main characters is Cream the Rabbit, along with her loyal companion, Cheese the Chao. For longtime fans of the blue anthropomorphic erinaceidae family member, this is a huge deal. Cream and Cheese are iconic video game characters, first introduced in Sonic Advance 2 for the Game Boy Advance, but they’ve rarely appeared outside of the video game universe—until now, it would seem.

What does Cream’s inclusion in this promotional lineup mean for Sonic 3? Could this adorable duo be making their cinematic debut in the upcoming movie? It would appear that way.

First, it’s important to note that movie tie-in merchandise has spoiled movies before. Often, these toy releases hold clues about significant plot points. In recent years, fans have cracked major cinematic surprises based on toys and promotional items—think LEGO sets spoiling pivotal moments in upcoming Marvel movies and Star Wars films. The sudden inclusion of Cream the Rabbit in Sonic 3's merchandise lineup raises eyebrows, as the franchise has been tight-lipped about its plot details beyond Shadow the Hedgehog’s confirmed role–voiced to perfection by Keanu Reeves.

Cream’s addition could signal that the character plays a small, perhaps cameo-level role in Sonic 3. Alternatively, her presence might simply be a nod to Sonic’s wider universe, ensuring fan-favorite characters receive recognition in some form. After all, the Sonic franchise is expansive, with a cast of characters that spans decades. Including Cream in merchandise might be Sega and Paramount’s way of acknowledging her fanbase, even if she doesn’t have a pivotal role in the film.

It’s no secret that the Sonic franchise is gearing up to expand its character roster beyond Shadow the Hedgehog, but it’s too early to confirm anything for sure. We do know the end credits scene of the first Sonic movie introduced Tails, with the sequel featuring Knuckles, who got his own TV show, so the inclusion of Cream the Rabbit wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility. And the Funko Pop lineup has certainly sparked speculation. Whether her presence points to a brief cameo, a larger role, or simply serves as a delightful Easter egg for longtime fans, it’s clear that the filmmakers are leaning into the series’s rich lore.

Fans won’t have to wait too long, with the movie just weeks away, to see if Cream hops onto the big screen. Until then, let the theorizing continue! To hold you over, perhaps check out the first two Sonic movies and Knuckles, the series with a Paramount+ subscription.

Jim Carrey has given audiences some of the funniest movie quotes over the years and introduced us to countless unforgettable characters. But most of those roles like Ace Ventura, Lloyd Christmas, Charlie Baileygates/Hank Evans, and others behave like an absolute sociopath more times than not.

That being said, let’s go back and revisit some of those beloved (for the most part) and sociopathic characters we will never forget, for better or worse.

Selling A Dead Bird To A Blind Kid (Dumb And Dumber)

Lloyd Christmas is definitely one of Jim Carrey’s best characters. And while he may not be as unhinged or sociopathic as some of his other roles, let’s not forget the fact that Lloyd sold Harry’s dead bird to a blind kid. To make it worse, he didn’t tell Harry and pocketed the $25 for his own snack fund.

Robbing A Bank (The Mask)

While it may be true that Stanley Ipkiss wasn’t the one controlling the titular character in The Mask when he robbed the bank like a cartoon character, that kind of makes the meek banker even more of a sociopath.

Talking Out Of His Butt, Literally (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Jim Carrey’s iconic animal lover from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective does a lot of good in this 1994 comedy classic, but he’s also an unhinged maniac throughout it. Case in point… the time Ace spoke out of his butt, literally, when pestering Tone Loc’s Emilio at the police station.

When Fletcher Misses His Son’s Birthday (Liar Liar)

Missing your son’s birthday (amongst other major events) with little to no remorse and a complete lack of empathy or remorse is wild, but hey, that’s Fletcher Reede in Liar Liar. No wonder his son wished that his father could no longer lie.

Transmitting Brainwaves To All Of Gotham (Batman Forever)

Though not the best Batman movie villain, Jim Carrey’s Riddler from Batman Forever is iconic in his own right. Still, the dude is as sociopathic as he is over the top, especially when he starts transmitting brainwaves to all of Gotham City.

When Hank Makes His First Appearance (Me, Myself & Irene)

Charlie Baileygates transforming into Hank Evans for the first time in Me, Myself & Irene is an insanely hilarious movie moment. Does he go too far when he finally snaps at that mother and her kids at the grocery store? Yeah, but they kind of deserved it.

Chip Manipulating Steven Into Hanging Out (The Cable Guy)

You could make a list with nothing but Ernie "Chip" Douglas being a sociopath in The Cable Guy, but we’ll keep it short. Early on in the movie, we get a glimpse of Chip’s mental state when he manipulates Steven into hanging out with him when the recently dumped 30-something just wants some free movie channels.

Blindly Answering 3,152,933 Prayers With ‘Yes’ (Bruce Almighty)

Bruce Almighty has its fair share of sociopathic moments from Jim Carrey’s Bruce Nolan, including the time he blindly answers 3,152,933 prayers with a simple ‘Yes.” What prayers is he answering? We don’t know and neither does he.

Turning To A Life Of Crime (Fun With Dick And Jane)

Losing your job and not being able to find steady employment can have a toll on someone’s spirit and mental state, but that doesn’t mean you should turn to a life of crime. Well, that’s what happens with Jim Carrey’s titular character in Fun with Dick and Jane.

Getting Revenge On A Neighbor (Me, Myself & Irene)

We’ve all dealt with neighbors taking advantage of our kindness or flat-out stealing from us or letting their dog poop in our yard. However, that doesn’t mean we should act like Charlie/Hank in Me, Myself & Irene and do our business in our neighbor’s grass.

‘Wanna Hear The Most Annoying Sound In The World?’ (Dumb and Dumber)

The “Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?” scene in Dumb and Dumber is one of the funniest moments from any ‘90s comedy movie, but our boy Lloyd Christmas is maniacal with that god-awful sound.

Stealing All The Christmas Presents (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

Yeah, it’s part of the Grinch’s gimmick to steal all the presents from Whoville, but this doesn’t justify hurting so many people solely because you hate the holiday. How the Grinch Stole Christmas shows us what not to do in this situation.

The ‘Finkle Is Einhorn’ Scene (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Yeah, Ray Finkle/Lois Einhorn is technically the villain in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, but the way in which the antagonist was exposed by Jim Carrey’s titular character was wild. Sure, it led to some laughs at the time, but too far, Ace. Too far!

When Bruce Takes Control Of Evan’s Voice (Bruce Almighty)

Evan Baxter is self-centered and power-hungry in Bruce Almighty, but the same can be said for Jim Carrey’s jealous, vindictive, and sociopathic character. The whole abusing the powers of God to get back at your enemies, even in hilarious scenes like this one, isn’t the best way of going about things.

When Edward Nygma Throws His Boss Out Of A Window (Batman Forever)

There’s a point of no return in Batman Forever and that comes very early on when Edward Nygma throws his boss out of the window at Wayne Industries when he’s about to be sacked. Rejection is a hard pill to swallow for some.

Puts A Baby In A Cage (Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events)

Who puts a baby in a cage high above a decaying mansion? Well, no other than Count Olaf in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, that’s who. Jim Carrey’s monstrous character is no prince charming before this key scene, but this doesn’t make it any better either.

The Letterman Scene (Man On The Moon)

One of the best movie scenes featuring a professional wrestler, the moment in Man on the Moon recreating Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler’s legendary brawl on Late Night with David Letterman is incredible. But let’s not forget that Jim Carrey’s character was a sociopath (as was Lawler) for not letting anyone else in on the gag.

Faking His Own Death To Be With His Lover (I Love You, Phillip Morris)

Jim Carrey’s Steven Jay Russell in I Love You Phillip Morris is one of the comedian’s wildest roles, but it’s never really talked about all that much. Maybe it’s because his character is an unabashed sociopath who’ll do anything to get what he wants in life, even if it means faking his death to be with his lover.

‘You Know What’s Hard About Being The Smartest Person In The World?’ (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Dr. Robotnik is smart, there’s no denying that. Is Jim Carrey’s villain from Sonic the Hedgehog the smartest person in the world? Probably so. However, he lacks humility, restraint, remorse, or anything else that prevents someone from becoming a sociopath.

The Bathroom Beating (The Cable Guy)

Beating up some random guy who is on a date with the girl who dumped a guy who isn’t really your friend is something you should probably avoid, but don’t tell that to Chip in The Cable Guy. Owen Wilson’s character never stood a chance. In fact, he never knew why he was being attacked before it started.

Driving Across The Country For The Woman Of His Dreams (Dumb And Dumber)

Love can make you do some crazy things, but driving across the country to return a briefcase to a woman you met once on the way to the airport and then obsessing over her takes things to the next level. Lloyd Christmas never ceases to amaze, or scare, us.

Controlling The Giant Robot While Listening To Pantera (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)

Dr. Robotnik taking control of a massive robot was only a matter of time, but the big bad in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 took things to the next level in this 2022 sequel. If destroying a town isn’t bad enough, this guy does it to Pantera’s “Walk,” which is both completely random and incredibly on-brand.

The Torture Scene (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls)

The torture scene in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls has to be the most unhinged moment of Jim Carrey’s career. The knives and fork on the plate, the eyeball, everything is just so much.

Uses His Power To Make Tina Carlyle Fall For Him (The Mask)

The Mask is one of the most iconic ‘90s movie characters, but he’s also one of the most manipulative. Just look at the way he makes Cameron Diaz’s Tina Carlyle fall in love with him with his theatrics and off-the-wall behavior. It’s not like she doesn’t have any agency in this relationship, but Tina is no match for the cartoonish antics of this guy.

Making The Moon Bigger To Set The Mood (Bruce Almighty)

Jim Carrey’s character does a lot of good in Bruce Almighty, but he also makes some questionable decisions, especially whenever he tries to use his divine powers to take advantage of various situations with his girlfriend (played by Jennifer Anniston). In one scene in particular, he makes the moon bigger and the stars brighter to better set the mood.

‘The Marvelous Marriage’ (Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events)

There’s no way of getting around it, Count Olaf in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a self-serving, egotistical, dirty rotten scoundrel who’ll do anything he can to get what he wants. What about marrying a young girl to take her family’s vast fortune for himself? Well, about that crazy act of psychotic sociopathy…

‘We Could Have Been Blood Brothers’ (The Cable Guy)

If someone were to call you and say “We could have been blood brothers,” you’d probably freak out, hang up the phone, and lock your doors, right? Well, those chilling words are uttered by Jim Carrey’s Chip in The Cable Guy when he finally starts to snap (like actually snap and not just be aggressively off-putting). Those words still send shivers down the spine after all these years.

Edward Obsessing Over Bruce Wayne (Batman Forever)

Before he was a criminal genius taking over Gotham City with his brainwaves (and the help of Two-Face and his goons), Edward Nygma was a dangerously intelligent scientist who’d do anything to impress Bruce Wayne. So much so that the soon-to-be-canned Wayne Industries employee had an unhealthy obsession with the man behind the bat in Batman Forever.

The Blue Pen Scene (Liar Liar)

When it comes to Jim Carrey's on-screen meltdowns, few come close to touching the blue pen scene from Liar Liar in which Fletcher Reeded tries his hardest to lie after his son’s birthday wish goes into effect. Just imagine walking through your office building and seeing a man with ink all over his face yelling, “The pen is blue.”

Hiding An Entire Zoo In His Apartment (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective doesn’t waste a second showing us that Jim Carrey’s titular character loves animals so much that he’s willing to go against social norms (and upset everyone in his complex) by hiding an entire zoo in his small apartment. It’s not only gross, but it’s also dangerous to those furry creatures he claims to call friends.

Andy Kaufman Reading The Great Gatsby (Man On The Moon)

Yeah, this was one of Andy Kaufman’s best and most iconic bits, but it’s still the work of a sociopath in Man on the Moon. Jim Carrey’s version of the late comedian reading The Great Gatsby in its entirety is absolutely bonkers. Is it hilarious? Yes. Is it legendary? Yes again. But it’s totally the act of an absolute sociopath.

The Red Bull Scene (Yes Man)

Yes Man is a Jim Carrey movie that doesn’t come up as much as Dumb and Dumber or Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, but it’s not without its own hilarious and unhinged moments. What about the scene where Carl Allen drinks way too much Red Bull and decides to go on an early-morning run? It’s ridiculous and ridiculously unhealthy.

While the genre has had a checkered past, movies based on video games have been doing well lately. Jeff Fowler's Sonic the Hedgehog (which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), is considered one of the best video game movies, and it's already grown into a full-blown franchise. The ending of Sonic 2 teased the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog, and Fowler teased the third film will introduce yet another beloved video game character. And I’ve definitely got some Ideas.

The credits sene of the first Sonic movie bought Tails into the fray, with the sequel featuring Knuckles, who would get his own TV show on Paramount. What we know about Sonic 3 is limited, but it seems that the same thing will happen in the threequel. While speaking with EW about the threequel, Jeff Fowler confirmed that more characters from the games are coming, saying:

Well, that's exciting. It sounds like the Sonic franchise has a format that's working, and Fowler and company aren't going to deviate anytime soon. And as such, we should expect another cliffhanger/credits scene that features a Sonic video game character that'll actor into the fourth movie. As a reminder, check out the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer below:

So now that we know more Sonic characters are coming, who might Jeff Fowler be alluding to? As a gamer myself, I'm personally hoping to see the inclusion of fan favorite characters like Amy the Hedgehog and/or Rogue the Bat. After all, none of the franchise's female characters have been brought in on the fun!

Amy has a long history in the games, and is typically Sonic's number one fan girl. She's also totally in love with the blue hero, although those feelings are unrequited. I'd love to see Amy's signature hammer make it into combat as well.

Rogue the Bat debuted in Sonic Adventure 2, which is the basis for the third Sonic movie. While initially introduced as a villain and treasure hunter, she was later revealed to be a soy who was a mole getting close to the bad guys. It would be fun to see this dynamic play out on the big screen, and she's another very popular character from the franchise's lore.

All will be revealed when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on December 20th. While we wait and debate, check the 2025 movie release dates.

If there’s anything I’m positively hyped for in the remaining months of the 2024 movie schedule, it’s the return of Sonic the Hedgehog and friends. As the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date has us all counting down to the December 20th release of Paramount’s latest sequel, the debut of Shadow the Hedgehog is even more fuel for the fandom fire. After learning a little more about Keanu Reeves’ dedication to the role of the Sonic Adventure 2 anti-hero, I’m even more excited for this day to arrive, and for one big reason.

How Keanu Reeves’ Dedication Is Reflected In Sonic 3, According To Jeff Fowler

A recent interview through the Twitch streamers at Sonic Revolt had access to the minds and thoughts of Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler and co-producer Tyson Hesse. So naturally when fans were given the chance to write in questions they wanted to see answered, a lot of spoilery asks were included in the lot.

To be fair, Fowler handled the challenge like a champ, and told the livestream’s hosts that they could ask potential spoiler questions. Claiming that he might give a “very false answer” for such queries, Jeff Fowler offered an insightful answer about how Shadow the Hedgehog was worked into Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s story; which started with this revelation:

Teased in an ominous post-credits scene shown after Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s massive ending, everyone has been looking forward to learning more about Shadow ever since. The voice actor recruited to play the character was of particular interest to all following the saga, with many fans hoping the John Wick franchise legend would be the actor given the task of bringing him into the Sonic cinematic universe.

Keanu Reeves’ dedication didn’t stop at experimenting with his delivery of such chilling dialogue as, “When we’re done, there won’t be anything left.” As Jeff Fowler further revealed in this Sonic the Hedgehog 3 chat, Reeves had clearly prepared for this undertaking from day one:

Presumably this means that The Matrix alum has played through, or read up on, Sonic Adventure 2’s influences on Sonic 3. Should that statement be true, I’m totally amped because the more one looks into Shadow’s character, the more they can see how appropriate it is for Keanu Reeves to be playing him.

Why Keanu Reeves Has Me Even More Excited To See Sonic 3

The short, short version of why Shadow the Hedgehog is such a tragic antihero is the fact that he’s suffered a loss that makes him a lot like John Wick. Shadow’s antagonistic nature is heavily defined by the death of a near and dear friend, Maria (Alyla Browne), who just happens to be the cousin of Dr. Eggman in Sonic Adventure 2 canon. While we don’t know how much of this fatal backstory will be captured in the movie version, we have seen her presence teased in the Sonic 3 trailer.

Having that event firmly in mind as we arrive at the home stretch of anticipation, it gives me a lot of faith knowing that Keanu Reeves has done his homework. On the surface, the character of Shadow has been seen as an easy punchline at times, and pairing this knowledge to the delivery we’ve heard in Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s marketing convinces me that Mr. Reeves totally understands the character.

Which is especially important as producer Toby Ascher’s thoughts on the post-Sonic 3 future could include a Shadow the Hedgehog similar to the Idris Elba starring Knuckles. As all of our eyes are on the future of the Sonic cinematic franchise, I don't think I'm the only fan waiting with anticipation for December 22nd.

And if you’re as jazzed about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as I am, you should head over to your Paramount+ subscription. With both previous Sonic movies and the entirety of Knuckles available for streaming, you can do your own homework to make sure you’re prepared for all of the action, laughs, and drama to come.

The list of video game movie franchises and the actors behind the beloved leads or integral cast of characters has grown over the past decade. The best, in my opinion, is Ben Schwartz and Sonic, with the threequel of Sonic just around the corner. I don’t know if it’s Schwartz’s charm, my first video game memories including Sonic or a combination of the two. Regardless, the Parks and Rec alum has driven my love for the duo and excitement for the newest movie with his latest Instagram post.

With the classic SEGA franchise having no plans of slowing down Sonic’s sagas in Hollywood fans are gearing up for the rapidly approaching threequel. It’s on our 2024 Movie Release Schedule and due to hit theaters on December 20th. While the official press tour hasn’t begun just yet, Schwartz has been hyping up the Hedgehog, and exciting the fans, with this killer sweater on his social media. He kept it plain, simple and shared that the countdown is on to premiere day.

You can’t deny that sweater is anything but stellar, and that a lot of us are already trying to find it online (myself included, of course). The After Party actor pulls it off so well too, letting Sonic be the star he is. Schwartz’s comment section is full of compliments regarding the incredible sweater, excited fans, as well as comments about the newest Sonic game: Sonic X Shadow Generations. And I personally need that knit.

The coming Sonic movie has confirmed it will pull a lot of inspiration from one of the series' most beloved fan favorites. The threequel involves our classic trio, Sonic (Schwartz), Knuckles (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and Tails (Idris Elba) facing off against a new foe, Shadow (Keanu Reeves), who has unmatched powers like they’ve never seen before. The new enemy leads the gang to team up with an unlikely partner to keep the balance.

This new installment is sure to bring a lot of new excitement and stars, including Reeves. There has even been buzz about Sarah Paulson playing a secret role. Regardless of who actually joins, it’ll be an adventure. Both 1 and 2 have been received well overall, with varying opinions from gamers and moviegoers alike, and three will be no different.

As for Schwartz and his sweet sweater, I hope there are many more nods to Sonic and the crew as we continue to count down the days. And maybe a merch drop with this particular piece in the bunch? To catch up on the fun, or review before December 20th, you can stream Sonic the Hedgehog with a Netflix subscription or a Paramount+ subscription. Stream its sequel with a Hulu subscription or a Paramount+ subscription.

With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 slated to soon speed into movie theaters, anticipation is building for the return of fan-favorite characters and the possible debut of new ones in the upcoming video game adaptation. The star-studded Sonic 3 cast, including Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails, are already confirmed to return. Even more exciting, joining the lineup is Keanu Reeves as the anti-hero Shadow the Hedgehog. Another name being tossed around recently in fan circles is American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson, who many have speculated could turn up in a secret role. Well, here’s what the actress had to say about the subject.

In a recent interview with ComicBook.com promoting her upcoming horror movie Hold Your Breath, Paulson addressed the swirling speculation that she had been cast as Rouge the Bat in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The Ryan Murphy frequent collaborator quickly debunked the rumors—though she would love the opportunity to be involved in the project. In her words:

Sarah Paulson's playful but straightforward response is bound to catch the attention of Sonic fans who’ve already imagined her as the sleek and cunning Rouge the Bat. Though the rumor likely started from a fan-made edit or a rogue Wiki update, it gained enough momentum for the Glass star to step in and set the record straight.

While we’re all waiting to see where Sonic the Hedgehog 3 takes the franchise, it’s hard to ignore the series's massive legacy. With its roots in Sega's rich history, spanning countless video games, comics, TV shows, and now movies, there’s plenty of room for future installments. If the series continues—and with Sarah enthusiastically on board—someone needs to make that call and bring her into the Sonic universe!

Fans won’t hear Paulson as Rouge the Bat in Sonic’s third cinematic outing, but the movie is still expected to introduce new characters from the beloved video game universe. Rouge remains a possibility, though no official word has been released about who, if anyone, will voice her.

Meanwhile, Sarah Paulson's next project, Hold Your Breath, will hit streaming soon and be available to anyone with a Hulu subscription. Set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, the film follows the Ratched star’s character as she contends with a sinister force threatening her family. The movie is set for the 2024 movie schedule, releasing on October 3rd.

As for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it releases on December 20th.

While films based off of video games have historically stuggling in theaters, there's been some success in recent years. Case in point: Sonic the Hedgehog, which is considered one of the best video game movies ever. A full blown franchise is in effect (which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), and the third movie will be here before we know it. But will Sonic 3 end the franchise? Here’s the latest from a producer.

What we know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is limited, but that should change as we get close to its December release date. Fans are eager to be introduced to Shadow The Hedgehog, but how long will the property stay running? Producer Toby Ascher spoke at the Sonic Central presentation (via ComicBook) about this, saying:

Well, there you have it. Looks like moviegoers shouldn't expect Sonic's adventures on the big screen to end after the forthcoming threequel. Instead it seems like Paramount is happy to keep mining the video game lore for more stories. For the Sonic 3 movie, the inspiration is going to be fan favorite game Sonic Adventure 2. And there are a ton of beloved characters who haven't been introduced just yet.

By methodically introducing characters from the video games, Paramount has definitely ensured that the Sonic franchise can keep going for the forseable future. The trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 revealed Shadow in action, voiced by Keanu Reeves. As a reminder, you can check that out below:

Shadow is the first iconic video game villain to appear in the franchise of Jim Carrey's Robotnik, so this is definitely a thrilling time for longtime fans of the games. And it should be interesting to see how his dark backstory is adapted for film... and if the movie will kill a child character in the process.

Aside from the three Sonic movies, the franchise also grew with the Knuckles TV show. So Paramount is seemingly all-in on the ongoing franchise. As such, the hardcore fandom is likely going to keep their collective fingers crosse that certain other iconic characters end up joining the fun opposite James Marsden and company.

There are a number of classic Sonic characters that fans would like to see pop in for a future movie or streaming show. Some great choices to join the fray include the villainous Metal Sonic, as well as heroes such as Amy the hedgehog, Cream the rabbit, and Rogue the Bat. I'm particularly interested in seeing the latter's story adapted for film, as she's usually a spy posing as a villain.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will hit theaters on December 20th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

It feels like a good piece of the 2024 movie schedule has blurred right past us, doesn’t it? And just when you think all of the big ticket thrills for the year have been done and dusted, those late year heavy hitters speed into view. The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is one of those reminders, and as you can see in the footage presented today, we've got the first epic footage of Keanu Reeves' Shadow.

Naturally everything we know about Sonic 3 has been leading up to the inclusion of a fan favorite anti-hero. With Keanu Reeves’ casting as Shadow the Hedgehog, those loyal to the Sonic series have felt like a prayer has been answered. And rather than keeping him under wraps, we get plenty of footage of Shadow kicking ass, and the spot-on voice performance by John Wick himself.

Of course, this isn’t Shadow the Hedgehog 3, and it’s still Sonic’s show. Once again voiced by Ben Schwartz, the blue blur and his two friends Tails and Knuckles have seemingly become bonafide heroes. They're called in once Shadow escapes and starts causing chaos... but it looks like they're seriously overpowered by the new villain.

It’s been a rough wait since Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s ending in 2022 put Shadow on the board. And with Sonic franchise producer Toby Ascher informing us all of Sonic Adventure 2 as Sonic 3’s main inspiration, things could get pretty dark in this fast paced action-adventure franchise. Indeed, we get a few glimpses of Shadow's dark backstory, and the loss that eventually leads him to villainy.

Or it could be yet another pleasing chili dog for the gamer’s soul, lightened up by Bruno Mars dance offs and Jim Carrey's improv genius. It all depends on how deep into Shadow’s lore they’re planning to go. But even in the little bits they've shown us in Sonic the Hedgehog 3's trailer, it looks like things are going to get pretty dark. 

Honestly, as long as we're not entering the corner of the Sonic games that delved into "werehogs" and romances with human princesses, fans are going to be thrilled at whatever comes next. But the dynamic between Sonic and Eggman is changing, as they'll actually be joining forces to save the world from Shadow. Not to mention, we're getting...Papa Eggman?! Hey, double the Jim Carrey in a Sonic movie sounds alright by me, personally.

While we wait for Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s December 20th release date to arrive, there’s plenty of time to catch up on some of the action that’s already out there. Through access to a Paramount+ subscription, you can watch the first Sonic movie, as well as the entire Knuckles series that premiered earlier this year starring Idris Elba. Don’t be a slo-mo though, because December will be here before you know it! In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the movies next year. We'll just have to wait and see what comes next for the video game movie.

Historically, film adaptation of popular video games haven't been great. But that's changed in recent years, with Sonic the Hedgehog being one of the best video game movies and growing into a full-blown franchise. Sonic 3 is on the way, and composer Junkie XL praised the mysterious threequel's contents. Now bring me Shadow the Hedgehog immediately!

The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), has done quite well, so it should come as no surprise that a third installment was quickly ordered. The ending of Sonic 2 teased that Shadow was joining the fun, and fans are eager for any information about the movie. Composer Junkie XL is putting his talent behind the flick, revealing to Collider that he's seen it. As he shared:

That's some high praise. It sounds like director Jeff Fowler will once again be swinging hard with Sonic the Hedgehog 3. We'll just have to wait and see when information about the movie's contents becomes available for the public. But per the composer's comments, it's going to be a good one.

Back in May, a Sonic 3 producer revealed that the movie's biggest inspiration would be coming from the game Sonic Adventure 2. This makes sense given it was the first game where Shadow appeared, but it's also a beloved fan favorite title that's sure to inspire some serious nostalgic feelings in theaters.

Production on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 wrapped in March, and since then fans have been eager to get the first footage of Shadow in action. He was shown briefly in the credits scene of the last movie, but we've yet to hear his voice or see him running in those signature air shoes. 

Fans of the long-running video game series have delighted in seeing more beloved characters join the burgeoning Sonic franchise as more installments are added. While the first sequel brought Tails and Knuckles into the fray, next up is the fan favorite villain Shadow. Although it's possible that we could get even more playable characters in the next movie; I know I'd personally love to see the inclusion of Amy and/or Rogue the Bat. 

Sonic 3 is expected to arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates. 

Historically, movies based off video games have struggled in theaters, both financially and critically. But some of the best video game movies have arrived recently, including the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (which can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription). Now that the spinoff TV series Knuckles is out, moviegoers are looking to the franchise's return to theaters with Sonic 3. One of the movie's producers recently  revealed which game is inspiring the new sequel, and fans like me are gonna be hyped.

What we know about Sonic 3 is limited, so fans are curious about what's coming next. The ending of Sonic 2 teased that Shadow was coming, but the studio has been keeping its cards close to the chest. Producer Toby Ascher recently spoke to our sister site GamesRadar, where he cited one beloved game. As he put it:

Somebody play "Escape from the City" because Sonic Adventure 2 will seemingly be the biggest inspiration for the upcoming live-action threequel. That's one of the most popular installments of the long-running video game franchise, so it should be fascinating to see the various ways it influences the third Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Luckily we only have a few more months before all of our questions will be answered.  

Perhaps it shouldn't be too surprising that Sonic 3 is taking inspiration from Sonic Adventure 2. After all, the 2001 video game is where the villainous Shadow was introduced for the first time. So since he's making his way to the big screen in the third film, it seems we'll be getting some of that same story in live-action. Is it December yet?

What Happens in Sonic Adventure 2?

Sonic 3 is already one of the most highly anticipated upcoming video game movies, and hearing about its connection to Sonic Adventure 2 is sure to help buoy this excitement. 

Sonic Adventure 2 was first released on the Dreamcast and Nintendo Gamecube, and offered players a big choice: to play as three villains or three heroes from the universe. In addition to Shadow, we were also introduced to Rogue the Bat, who is actually a spy pretending to be a villain. Throughout the game Shadow's tragic backstory is revealed, and he goes from villain to unlikely hero in the final level.

It's unclear how closely this is going to be adapted, and if we'll meet characters from the game like Shadow's friend Maria. But since in the game she's also Robotnik's cousin, so that could connect the villains of Sonic 3. We'll just have to wait for more information, and see how the story of Adventure 2 is brought into the threequel. 

All will be revealed when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters December 20th. In the meantime, check the 2024 movie release dates. 

While there have been plenty of poor film adaptations of video games in the past, that's changed. Over the past few years some of the best video game movies hit theaters, including the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (which can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription). As a result, one of the most anticipated upcoming video game movies is Sonic 3, which will bring the villainous Shadow the Hedgehog into the fold. It was recently reported that Keanu Reeves is reportedly voicing Shadow, and the voice actor who played him in the games shared his take on this casting, and having the role "stolen" by Neo himself.

What we know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is limited, but fans of the games are excited for Shadow to be brought to the narrative. Reeves possibly joining the cast will no doubt turn heads, even if it means that he'll sound different in the forthcoming blockbuster. Voice actor Jason Griffith was asked by TMZ about Keanu "stealing" his gig, but he had a different take on the casting. In his words:

There you have it. While some video game purists are emotionally attached to Jason Griffith's performances as Shadow, he seems to co-sign Keanu Reeves taking on the mantle. Indeed, Keanu has a truly iconic speaking voice, and its deep range will no doubt sound great as the villainous Hedgehog. 

While Sonic was the only animated video game character in the first movie, both Tails and Knuckles were brought in for the sequel. The ending of Sonic 2 teased that Shadow was coming, and moviegoers immediately began debating who could voice the role, either Griffith or an A-list celebrity. In his same interview with TMZ, the voice actor spoke about the nature of his business, and how continues the legacy of long-running characters before passing it on. In his words: 

He makes a good point. Video game historians will recall that Griffith took on his roles as Sonic and Shadow from voice actor David Humphrey. And while Sonic the Hedgehog 3's cast list includes Colleen O'Shaughnessey who voiced Tails in the games, the other furry characters have been played by the likes of Ben Schwartz and Idris Elba. And if the reports are to be believed, Keanu Reeves is joining that ensemble for the threequel.

David Griffith explained why he doesn't have sore feelings about Keanu seemingly taking on the mantle of Shadow. He said:

Talk about a healthy perspective. And really, who doesn't want to share a role with the great Keanu Reeves? He's a beloved badass with generations of fans. 

We'll just have to wait and see if/when Reeves is officially confirmed as Shadow by the studio. Idris Elba recently responded to that chatter, and made it seem like it perhaps wasn't set in stone. Hopefully information comes sooner rather than later.

All will be revealed when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on December 20. For now, check the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the theater.

The Sonic the Hedgehog video game may be decades old, but the live-action movies have certainly breathed new life into the franchise over the past few years. Following the introduction of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — and before the third film in the series hits the 2024 movie release calendar — the anthropomorphic red echidna is getting his own spinoff series. Appropriately titled Knuckles, Idris Elba returns as the voice of the main character, and critics are weighing in on the series ahead of its April 26 premiere for Paramount+ subscription holders.

The Sonic the Hedgehog flicks are considered two of the best video game movies, so it’s safe to say that fans are plenty excited for the new limited series, especially with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 coming to expand the Sega franchise later this year. So let’s get right to the critics, with GamesRadar’s Bradley Russell rating the series 3 stars out of 5, saying that while the series sometimes focuses more on Adam Pally’s Wade Whipple, Knuckles overall delivers an energetic mini-cinematic adventure to hold us over until December. Russell writes: 

Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky rates this “hilarious” buddy comedy a 4 out of 5, saying that while it’s not required viewing before you catch Sonic the Hedgehog 3, fans really should watch it because it’s a whole lot of fun. The critic continues: 

Meredith Hobbs Coons of the AV Club grades Knuckles a B-, saying the red echidna is mostly capable of carrying a Sonic series, especially with its more heartwarming plotlines. However, those who don’t care for the movies or these characters specifically should feel free to skip it. Coons says: 

Alex Maidy of JoBlo gives it an “Average” 6 out of 10, noting that there are long portions of the series that don’t even have Knuckles in them, which may be disappointing to the kids who tune in. Idris Elba, however, is consistent as the title character in the scenes he is in. Maidy continues: 

Brian Shea of GameInformer says Knuckles is enjoyable to watch in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies because of the characters’ contrasting personalities. The series loses that a bit, putting too much emphasis on the human characters and feeling overall kind of inconsequential. Shea says: 

All six episodes of the limited Knuckles series will be released to Paramount+ on April 26, and at just 25 to 30 minutes apiece, it sounds like they make for a fun way to spend a few hours while we wait for the Blue Blur to return. 

In addition to the new spinoff, both Sonic the Hedgehog movies are also available to stream on Paramount+, as we wait for the third movie. Be sure to also check out the other best movies and TV options hitting streaming this week, as well as the rest of the TV premieres on our 2024 TV schedule. 

The release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been highly anticipated by a portion of those who love video game adaptations. It’s been a few years since the public last saw Sega’s famously fast, blue critter on the big screen, but he’ll finally return later this year. In the meantime, reports have been swirling around the high-profile 2024 movie schedule entry. A true whopper of a news story made the rounds last week, as it was reported that Keanu Reeves had been cast as Shadow the Hedgehog. That’s yet to be confirmed by the creative team, but movie cast member Idris Elba – who voices Knuckles the Echidna – did share some thoughts on the report. 

Fans across the Internet expressed excitement about the prospect of the John Wick star lending his pipes to the iconic video game antagonist. Considering that Paramount Studios has yet to confirm that he’s part of the Sonic 3 cast, it’s not surprising that some are looking for answers. One such entity to inquire about the reported casting was our sister site, Games Radar+, which asked for Idris Elba’s take while chatting with him. And the British actor’s comments on the subject might not be quite what you’re expecting: 

Some might be tempted to think that this is simply the Luther actor’s way of deflecting the question. In a lot of cases, those who do voiceover work for the same productions, don’t end up working together in the booth. So it’s incredibly possible that Idris Elba not only hasn’t worked with Keanu Reeves but doesn’t even know if he’s actually part of the movie. It’s honestly interesting to think about the notion that Elba could be a co-star of the Matrix icon and be out of the loop about it.

Of course, the Suicide Squad alum isn’t totally ignorant in regard to what lies ahead in the highly anticipated threequel. As is customary for a major franchise like Sonic though, actors are required to keep secrets that they’re privy to. The fan-favorite star, while speaking with Total Film, went on to acknowledge the level of uncertainty regarding what he’s free to say. On top of that, he added a cryptic tease: 

What we might be able to glean from his sentiments is that the third movie is going to up the ante. Only a few story details are known at this time, but the first footage of the flick was revealed at CinemaCon earlier this month, where CinemaBlend was present. The tease featured Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, who’s revealed to have gained weight and is depressed since being foiled by Sonic a second time. The humorously maniacal scientist was ultimately reenergized by the knowledge that Shadow has been located. And, of course, the newly minted challenger will do battle with the titular hedgehog and his cohorts. With any hope, that’ll be a sight to behold. 

One would imagine that Idris Elba’s character will have a solid role and have experienced some major growth coming off his spinoff TV show, Knuckles, which has a great cast. Like so many, I look forward to seeing what lies ahead in the threequel. And, while Keanu Reeves’ casting is still unconfirmed, the notion of hearing him bounce off Elba, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz (Sonic) and more, has me absolutely giddy. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters on December 20, 2024 and, in the meantime, all six episodes of Knuckles will be available to Paramount+ subscribers starting on April 26. That same subscription will also allow you to stream the first two films in this live-action franchise.

Get ready for chaos! Sonic The Hedgehog 3 has been in production since the latter part of last year, and now the cast and crew can celebrate the sequel racing to the finish line. Director Jeff Fowler just announced that filming has wrapped on the third Sonic live-action/CGI hybrid movie, and he teased the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog while he was at it.

Fowler has helmed every live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie yet, and with this news, he can say he’s filmed a trilogy! Check out what he posted on his Instagram:

From a sea of blue screens, the filmmaker shared that Sonic The Hedgehog 3 has finished production by sharing a picture of himself on set. Jeff Fowler wore a “Keep Calm And Jim Carrey On'' t-shirt, of course as a homage to the actor behind Doctor Robotnik, and he held a special film slate for the movie. On the massive slate, there’s an illustration of various Sonic characters, and smack in the middle is Shadow the Hedgehog saying “That’s a wrap.” in a thought bubble. Get hyped!

It’s just a drawing of course, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see what Shadow looks like in the live-action movie. Still, it definitely serves as a great tease regarding Shadow’s central role in the third Sonic. I mean, he’s smack dab in the middle – it must be a sign he’ll be the movie’s main villain!

We’ve known Shadow the Hedgehog was joining the movie franchise ever since he showed up during the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 when “Project Shadow” was revealed to be the famed character, who was being held in a containment unit. With the character set to be unleashed in Sonic 3, there’s a lot of fun possibilities for him. Josh Miller, one of the movie’s writers, previously teased interest in incorporating elements from Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow’s solo spinoff game, but we’ll have to wait and see what the production came up with.

For the time being, there’s an ongoing mystery regarding who will be voicing Shadow the Hedgehog, which has led to fans speculating that actors such as Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen and Keanu Reeves will be behind the voice. No announcement has been made yet regarding the voice role, but we do have a good idea of what will comprise the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast otherwise, with Ben Schwartz back as Sonic, along with Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Lee Majdoub and Tom Butler returning. Additionally, Jessica Jones’ Krysten Ritter, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández and Jorma Taccone will debut roles in the sequel!

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is among 2024 movies coming to theaters, but we’ll have to wait until the very end of the calendar year. It will hit theaters on December 20!

With the actor's penchant for high-energy slapstick and rambunctious, rubber-faced characters, Jim Carrey's movies are filled with non-stop, explosive hilarity that has made him a widely celebrated icon for the ages. Of course, the former In Living Color cast member is also never afraid to bring out the deeper side of his talent for more dramatic roles, like in The Truman Show, showing a versatility that puts him above most comedic performers from his time, or any time. 

Shall we take a look back at his fascinating career by analyzing our picks for the best Jim Carrey movies, ranked in ascending order? Allllllllrighty then!

15. The Bad Batch (2016)

There is a decent chance that you may not have known Jim Carrey was in The Bad Batch, even if you had seen writer and director Ana Lily Amirpour’s romantic dystopian thriller starring Suki Waterhouse as a woman captured by a desert cannibal tribe. With help from some heavy makeup, the actor completely disappears into his performance as an unnamed, silent hermit — a character unlike any of the lively motormouths the actor is better known for and, as as result, one of the most intriguing roles of his career.

14. Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)

With a few notable exceptions which we will get to soon, it was hard to imagine Carrey ever taking on a villainous role before he was cast as Dr. Robotnik in director Jeff Fowler’s live-action Sonic the Hedgehog adaptation. However, as we likely could have seen coming, his signature uproarious energy made him a perfect choice for the mad scientist after the titular speedster and a key reason why the surprise hit is considered one of the best video game movies yet.

13. I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Also with a few notable exceptions, audiences rarely think of Carrey as a romantic lead, but he crossed that item off of his bucket list in a very subversive way, especially for the time, when he starred in I Love You Phillip Morris. Writing and directing duo John Requa and Glenn Ficarra’s dark, yet often sweet, comedy tells the true story of con artist Steven Jay Russell (Carrey) and his devoted romance with his eponymous, fellow prison inmate (Ewan McGregor).

12. Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

While many believe Carrey gave one of the best Riddler portrayals in Batman Forever, even those same people don’t consider that live-action Batman movie to be a great superhero movie, per se. However, his performance as mob enforcer-turned-patriotic vigilante Colonel Stars and Stripes in Kick-Ass 2 matches perfectly with the sequel’s darkly comic tone and over-the-top violence, which the actor would actually disown the movie for later on.

11. Horton Hears A Who! (2008)

Carrey has had the honor of playing the title role in two of the best Dr. Seuss movies, including Horton Hears a Who! He and Steve Carell make a wonderful comedic duo as the voices of the gentle, eponymous elephant and the mayor of an unwittingly microscopic town Horton struggles to bring to safety in the charming, adventurous family film.

10. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The more enduringly iconic of Carrey’s Dr. Seuss movies is director Ron Howard’s adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which brings the author’s distinct, surrealistic vision of Whoville to life in a dazzling live-action setting. Of course, it is Carrey’s tumultuous, transcendent performance as the titular curmudgeon — under Oscar-winning makeup by Rick Baker — that solidifies this hit that most critics didn't want to touch with a 39 and a half-foot pole as a holiday comedy classic in households around the world. 

9. The Cable Guy (1996)

As far as the few antagonistic characters in Carrey’s repertoire go, the most memorable and unique, arguably, comes from director Ben Stiller’s pitch black farce, The Cable Guy. The more that the deceptively goofy cable TV installer makes life a living hell for his customer and hopeful best bud, Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick), the more hilarious it gets.

8. The Mask (1994)

Carrey’s first (non-superhero) comic book movie was a much, much lighter interpretation of Dark Horse’s The Mask, in which down-on-his-luck bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss finds a mysterious artifact that turns him into a living cartoon character with superhuman abilities and a menacing disposition. Never has the actor been so animated, versatile, and out of control, propelling the highly inventive, visually stunning fantasy crime thriller to comedic gold of a historical measure.

7. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Another example of why 1994 was a damn good year for the actor is the film that skyrocketed him to fame and introduced moviegoers to his definitive, rubber-faced character traits in the role of a private investigator with a knack for solving animal-related crimes and a tremendously bizarre personality. Featuring many of Jim Carrey’s funniest quotes and spawning a wild sequel (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a beloved ‘90s classic, beyond even the comedy genre.

6. Liar Liar (1997)

Carrey’s manic acting style feels especially authentic and narratively appropriate as a pathologically dishonest lawyer forced to get real after his son’s (Justin Cooper) birthday wish comes true, in director Tom Shadyac’s Liar Liar. Watching his Fletcher Reed drive himself to the brink of insanity over his curse is dazzlingly funny, but watching him face his demons and learn to be a better person and father in one of the first roles to show the actor’s sensitive side is heartwarming.

5. Bruce Almighty (2003)

He re-teamed with director Shadyac for an ambitious romp of truly heavenly proportions as a dissatisfied field reporter who blames God for his losing streak, only to meet Him in human form (Morgan Freeman) and accept an offer to take His job. In addition to being an epic gut-buster (i.e., making Steve Carell’s Evan Baxter speak gibberish on camera), Bruce Almighty is more than a story of a man who fixes his problems by acquiring omnipotency, but a clever, heartfelt morality tale about rediscovering one’s humanity by seeing the world in a larger scope.

4. Man On The Moon (1999)

As seen in the 2017 Netflix original documentary, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, Carrey literally lost himself in his performance as Andy Kaufman in director Milos Forman’s revealing biopic, Man on the Moon. The result was a Golden Globe-winning, mesmerizing, devastating, and truly one-of-a-kind portrayal of a truly one-of-a-kind comedy legend.  

3. Dumb And Dumber (1994)

Carrey and two-time Emmy winner Jeff Daniels form one of the most powerful bromances in pop culture history as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, who drive across the country to deliver a lost briefcase that, unwittingly, makes them a target… not that they have the wit to perceive the danger they’re in anyway. From Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Dumb and Dumber is an essential buddy comedy that makes a convincingly blissful argument for idiocy, and might be the finest and funniest of Carrey’s trilogy of hits from 1994.

2. The Truman Show (1998)

Carrey gives one of his most soulful and devastating performances as married insurance salesman Truman Burbank, who is already desperate to escape his mundane existence when he begins to suspect that his relatively picturesque life is not all that it seems. In fact, every aspect of his life is part of a television show of which he is the star, in The Truman Show — a brilliant and frighteningly prophetic satire that earned Carrey his first Golden Globe, but should have earned him, at least, an Oscar nomination, as some believe.

1. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Despite Carrey’s snub, an Oscar was awarded to Charlie Kaufman, Pierre Bismuth, and director Michel Gondry for writing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In this visually hypnotic, stunningly unique, and remarkably absorbing fantasy drama, Joel (Carrey) undergoes a surgery to erase his ex girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet, in an Oscar-nominated role), from his mind after their painful break-up, only realizing too late that he would rather keep those memories. 

Nearly unmatched in its originality and its gripping, authentic examination of romance's tragic complexities, Eternal Sunshine sees Jim Carrey like you have never seen him before (or since) in a world beyond imagination.

In more recent years, Jim Carrey has revealed intentions to retire from acting, in favor of painting, catching up on Mystery Science Theater 3000, and being “frighteningly normal.” If this truly is the last we have seen of the icon on the screen, he has undeniably left a tremendous legacy of making us laugh and cry.

Sonic The Hedgehog fans are looking forward to the Knuckles miniseries on Paramount+, and looking at the cast, it isn't hard to see what. Idris Elba is a big name to attach to any series, but he's not the only heavy-hitter joining this adventure about Sonic's new red ally. So, who else is in tow for this spinoff show? 

Let's run down the list of all those involved in Knuckles, which follows the echidna warrior as he looks to adjust to a world unlike one he has ever known to that point. Of course, it doesn't take long until his new life on Earth is upended and he's on his back heels trying to protect himself and new friends from another threat. Let's dive in and see who all is in this series:

Idris Elba

As one might expect, Idris Elba will reprise his role of the iconic character Knuckles after debuting as him in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The miniseries will pick up after Knuckles moves to Earth, and in addition to all trouble coming his way, will explore his life feeling out of sorts and adjusting to a different life. 

Adam Pally

Actor Adam Pally, an MCU actor who jumped into Sonic the Hedgehog from the very start, will co-star alongside Knuckles, reprising his role as Wade Whipple. Wade will be learning from Knuckles about being an echidna warrior, and I can only assume that Wade will also be passing along some knowledge about life on Earth to his new friend. 

Cary Elwes

You may know him from The Princess Bride or two of the other popular movies Cary Elwes says people consistently clock him for being in. Whatever the case may be, Elwes is making his debut in the Sonic universe by playing "Pistol" Pete Whipple. Whipple is a 27-time championship bowler and Wade's relative. 

Edi Patterson

The Righteous Gemstones' Edi Patterson will be introduced in Knuckles as Wanda Whipple, Wade's sister. Not a ton is revealed about her character at this time, but given her comedic chops, I can assume she'll be in the mix and around for the adventure at various points during the miniseries. 

Scott Mescudi

Scott Mescudi, likely known to more than a few by his rap name Kid Cudi, will come into the world of Knuckles as Agent Mason. Mason is an enforcer for "The Buyer," and based on what we've seen in the trailer, that means doing everything within his power to try and capture Knuckles for the villain. 

Stockard Channing

Stockard Channing has done everything from playing Betty in Grease to inadvertently making Will Smith fall in love, and now she's in Knuckles. Channing will play the role of matriarch in this adventure, meaning she'll be the mother of Wade Whipple, Wendy. There are not many details about the character beyond that, but it is great to see a well-seasoned veteran actress in the series. 

Julian Barratt

Julian Barratt, an English actor known for the comedy series The Mighty Boosh, as among other things, joins the cast of Knuckles as Jack Sinclair. All we really have on this character is a name so far, and given that he doesn't appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog games, there's no telling what he'll be up to until we get more information on the character. 

Ellie Taylor

Actress Ellie Taylor will join Knuckles as Agent Willoughby, another one of the agents working for "The Buyer." Viewers might recognize Taylor from her work in Ted Lasso, where she played Rebecca's best friend "Sassy." She'll also work to try to capture Knuckles in this series, all at The Buyer's request. 

Rory McCann

Rory McCann, who played the badass Hound in Game of Thrones, will come into Knuckles as the main villain known as "The Buyer." This villain is a mysterious former lackey of Dr. Robotnik who is hellbent on obtaining Knuckles' power for himself. I'm making an assumption here, but it's probably for the best that he doesn't get that power. 

Tika Sumpter

Tika Sumpter will make her return to the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise as Maddie Wachowski, the wife of James Marsden's Tom Wachowski. She's still doing her thing as the veterinarian of Green Hills, as well as looking after Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. It'll be great to see her back, as the connective tissue since Marsden's character is seemingly out of the story for this one. 

Ben Schwartz

The blue hedgehog is back for Knuckles, and so is the actor who voices him. Ben Schwartz will make an appearance as Sonic The Hedgehog in the series. Though he is the star of the franchise, it appears Sonic isn't too good to pop up in a series made for those with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Colleen O'Shaughnessey

If Sonic is back, then you have to know that Colleen O'Shaughnessey's Tails is going to get in on the action as well. The two-tailed sidekick will also play a part in Knuckles, though it's unclear how much either will be in the mix during this miniseries. 

Christopher Lloyd

Actor Christopher Lloyd, known for Back To The Future and many other major movies, will play an elder echidna named Pachacamac. This character appearing will apparently be quite a surprise for Knuckles, as it's believed that he perished alongside Longclaw, the original adopted mother of Sonic.  

Paul Scheer

Paul Scheer, an actor with some serious comedic chops that have served him well in everything from The League to Star Trek: Lower Decks, will appear in Knuckles. Unfortunately, we're still in the dark about what role he'll be playing at this time, though it's possible he'll lend his voice to an animated character. 

Rob Huebel

Rob Huebel, whom readers may know from shows like Children's Hospital and Human Giant, will also join Knuckles in an undisclosed role. While we know nothing about his role, I would once again speculate that he's playing an animated character, as it would be easier to keep the voice work under wraps than anything shot on a set. We will see, though!

Knuckles premieres on Paramount+ beginning Friday, April 26th. This looks like another upcoming live-action video game adaptation that gamers won't want to miss, especially if they grew up playing the Sega Genesis. 

The lineup of new 2024 movies is starting to come into view for cinemagoers, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 feels all the closer because of it. Franchise director Jeff Fowler knows this fact as well as anyone, and he’s teasing the next chapter with a wonderful post proclaiming production as “off and running.” Which leaves me to ask a question I’ve had since Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s ending: who’s playing Shadow the Hedgehog?

No, this isn’t just my random obsessions acting up again, as I have a pretty good reason for bringing this up. As you can see in Fowler’s social media post commemorating this news, the inspiration for such queries is literally standing in front of us. 

That doesn’t look like CGI trickery, my friends. If anything, this Sonic 3 glimpse seems to be showing us the on set stand-in for Shadow’s physical presence on set. This practice has been used throughout the previous two Sonic the Hedgehog films, as a reference for actors like James Marsden and the rest of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast to use for their performances. And as we can see, Shadow the Hedgehog is going to be front and center from day one. 

Which brings me back around, like a gigantic gold ring of mystery, to my big questions: has our new anti-hero’s voice actor been cast, and will we learn who they are in the near future? When the previous film was released, I asked Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s cast for suggestions on who should play Shadow; and there were some inspired choices. The shortlist from those answers is a pretty amazing field, and if I were to pick a favorite, I’d have to say Henry Cavill would be my choice. 

Then again, when I asked if Ben Schwartz would be up for continuing his villain era with Sonic 3, he did seem to be pretty jazzed about the prospect. So that’s another option that hangs in the air as a temptation. But alas, the only news we have at the moment is that Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s recently rescheduled 2024 debut feels right on track with this metaphorical starter’s gun going off.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will race into theaters on December 24, 2024; just in time for next year’s holiday season. But you can very easily distract yourself from questions like “Who’s playing Shadow?” or “Is Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik ever going to return?” by revisiting both entries of the Sonic movie canon. And that’s all possible, provided you have access to a Paramount+ subscription.

That platform will also come in handy in the near future as well. As everything we know about Knuckles informs us that the streaming series spinoff is looking to premiere at a currently unknown date, that information also informs us that Paramount+ is the place to be to view it as it unfolds.

Sonic the Hedgehog has been a beloved video game franchise for more than three decades, but the last several years have seen the super speedy title character achieving cinematic fame as well. Both 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog and 2022’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 performed critically and commercially well, and along with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 coming, there’s also a Knuckles spinoff series being made for Paramount+ subscribers. Now more castings for this show has been announced, with actors like Christopher Lloyd and Cary Elwes set to appear opposite Idris Elba’s version of the red powerhouse.

In addition to the respective alums of Back to the Future and The Princess Bride coming aboard, Deadline reports that Stockard Channing, Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel have boarded Knuckles. As noted already, Elba is already set to vocally reprise the title character, who will be training Adam Pally’s Wade, the comical Green Hills deputy sheriff who was present in the first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies. The show’s recurring cast cast members include Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor; and Rory McCann and Tina Sumpter are set as guest stars, with the latter reprising Maddie, the wife of James Marsden’s Tom Wachowski.

Unfortunately, no character details were provided for any of the five newcomers, so we have no idea how they’ll fit into this new adventure for Knuckles and Wade. Given that the Knuckles show will be chiefly set on Earth, we can safely presume that most of these actors will be playing human characters. However, I can’t help wondering if Lloyd, Elwes or any of the others might be lending their voices rather than appearing on camera. After all, while Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik was the main antagonist in the previous movies, there’s no shortage of villains from this franchise who hail from other worlds, so maybe one of them will be a source of trouble, if not the main source, in Knuckles.

As far as Christopher Lloyd and Cary Elwes are specifically concerned, this news comes a few months after the former guest-starred on The Mandalorian (which led to Lloyd throwing out a Back to the Future reference while thanking fans), while the latter has already been seen this year in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Blackberry,  and Sweetwater, and will be back in the coming months for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Rebel Moon. Behind the scenes, talent from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies like director Jeff Fowler, writer John Whittington and producer Neal H. Moritz are attached to Knuckles, and Idris Elba is executive producing in addition to carrying out his voicing duties.

Knuckles is set to hit Paramount+ sometime later this year, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will follow on December 20, 2024. For now, you can look through the best Paramount+ shows and use the 2023 TV schedule to plan what to watch in the coming months.

I loved The Super Mario Bros. Movie. And I mean really loved it. So much so, that when it started getting bad reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, I was all like, naw, man, I don't even care what the critics have to say about this movie. It's the cat's (Mario's) pajamas for me!  

That said, I also really loved the Sonic the Hedgehog movie. In fact, I once argued that the first Sonic film was the best video game movie ever. And, you know what? I still stand behind that statement.    

However, when it comes to the next Sonic the Hedgehog movie, there are five things that I think it can learn from The Super Mario Bros. Movie to make it potentially even better than its predecessors. Ready to hear them? Well, then let's-a go!    

Oh, and minor spoilers up ahead.  

Lean Heavily Into Not Only Sonic's History, But Also Sega's History As A Whole  

One complaint that some critics had with The Super Mario Bros. Movie (including our very own Eric Eisenberg) was that it was just a "checklist" of video game references. And, while yes, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was stuffed to the Cheep Cheep gills with references, I don't necessarily consider that a bad thing. 

In fact, I consider it a good thing! Especially when it comes to multiple viewings. While I did watch the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie multiple times, I only watched the second movie twice, and I think twice is more than enough. You might be wondering what point I'm trying to make here since the second Sonic film is definitely closer to the games than the first, but that second movie, which I feel was weaker than the first, had more "fan service" than anything else, and I'm not looking for fan service in my video game movies. I’m looking for fire flower hot passion. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, despite what some critics think, was not overstuffed with fan service. Nay, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a loving tribute to the entire history of not only the Super Mario Bros., but also Nintendo as a whole. That love was built into the movie's very DNA, from the Punch-Out Pizzeria, to Mario playing Kid Icarus in his room, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is peak Nintendo.   

And, why can't Sonic the Hedgehog 3 be like that, but switch Nintendo for Sega? Like, I don't necessarily think that other Sega classics like Ecco the Dolphin or Golden Axe would make for great video game movies, but I would definitely love to see Sonic playing Crazy Taxi in his room, or there being a poster of Vectorman in the background. I mean really lean in to Sonic being Sega’s mascot, and make Sega an overall part of the world itself, just like The Super Mario Bros. movie did with Nintendo. Because if I don’t get a Shenmue Lan Di reference somewhere in this third movie, I’m gonna riot.  

Use Countless, Recognizable Songs From The Games And TV Shows  

The Sonic the Hedgehog series has some of the most recognizable music in video game history. And, I’m not just talking about from the 16-bit era, but also the Dreamcast era, and even beyond when Sonic went multi-platform. I mean, who doesn’t love them some Sonic Herroooess. Sonic Heeerrroooess?   

Plus, I’m not even just talking about the games. Why didn’t we get music from the many Sonic cartoon shows in the movies, either? I mean, the fact that we didn’t get the Sonic X theme song featured prominently in either movie is a crying shame.   

The Super Mario Bros. Movie on the other hand made me tear up at times from all of the musical cues from the entire history of Mario. Music is potent after all, especially if it’s something from your childhood. So, if the third Sonic movie actually had a wide assortment of songs from Sonic’s history, well, I would just consider that a win, wouldn’t you?  

Have Multiple Dr. Robotnik's Played By Different Actors  

Like CinemaBlend’s Mack Rawden, I too enjoyed watching Jim Carrey be a complete weirdo in Sonic the Hedgehog. I don’t know if I’d consider him a perfect fit for the character (I’d actually prefer somebody like Brian Cox), but I do like Carrey’s version. It’s unique in its own way.    

Well, one thing I loved about The Super Mario Bros. Movie was all the different enemy types found in the film. I’m talking about Shy Guys, Goombas, Koopa Troopas, hell, even the blue shell, King Boo, and King Bob-omb made appearances in the film. 

And, it got me to thinking – Is one villain really enough for this third Sonic the Hedgehog movie? Yes, I’m well aware that Sonic voice actor, Ben Schwartz, is interested in possibly starting “the villainous stage” of his career with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which may or may not mean that he’s interested in voicing Shadow the Hedgehog. But, come on now. Dr. Robotnik will always be Sonic’s primary antagonist. 

I think it would be cool if we had multiple Dr. Robotnik’s, a la Sonic Prime. A third movie could really up the ante in the villain department, just like The Super Mario Bros. Movie did. And then maybe, I could get my Brian Cox Dr. Robotnik. Come on, dream(cast)s can happen! 

Go Hard On The CG This Time Around And Keep Most Of The Story In Sonic's Worlds  

One major benefit (a 1-up, if you will) that The Super Mario Bros. Movie has over the Sonic the Hedgehog movies is that it’s a cartoon, so the Mushroom Kingdom can look as glorious and as beautiful as it does in the game, and there’s literally no limit to what they can put on the screen because again, it’s a cartoon. The Sonic the Hedgehog movies don’t have that luxury, though. Both movies were set almost entirely in the real world. And, while I felt that it worked in the first movie, I definitely didn’t feel like it worked in the second.  

And, that’s no good. I think with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it’s time to show a lot more of Sonic’s world. While yes, I know this would cost a LOT of money, I also think it would really make the third movie in the series come full circle with the first, since we were introduced to the cinematic version of Sonic in his world. So, come on, Paramount. You already splurged on Sonic’s redesign, and that went well. So now, let’s see a fully realized CG world for Sonic the Hedgehog. The Sonic fans would eat it up like Sonic devours chili dogs. Come on, Paramount. You can do it!     

Have Meaningful Story Arcs For The Characters, Which Were Sorely Lacking In The Super Mario Bros. Movie  

Lastly, as much as I loved The Super Mario Bros. Movie, one thing I can definitely say that The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie can do BETTER than the Mario movie is having a genuine, heartfelt story with real stakes and meaningful character arcs. Because come on. Let’s be frank. The plot of the Mario movie is pretty paper-(Mario)-thin, and Mario doesn’t really grow much as a character at all, unless you count when he eats a mushroom. 

And, that’s okay! I wasn’t expecting a well-crafted movie with innermost cave moments for Mario’s heroic journey. All I wanted to see was Mario don the Tanooki Suit. And he did that. So, yeah, best movie ever! 

Of course I’m being facetious (Sort of), but one area that I think could make the third Sonic movie really shine (And be even better than The Super Mario Bros. Movie) is if I actually care about Sonic this time. I enjoyed the first two Sonic movies (the first more than the second), but I wasn’t really deeply invested in it. 

I’m not saying that I need Pixar level story arcs – though, they wouldn’t hurt – but I actually want to feel something for Sonic this time around, and I think a genuine story arc where we really want to see Sonic succeed, would be pretty rad. Is it really too much to ask?

Maybe, but I thought I’d at least throw it out there. But, what do you think? Could the third Sonic the Hedgehog movie be even better than The Super Mario Bros. Movie? For more news on both Sonic and Mario, be sure to spin dash here often.  

For the most part, audiences know Ben Schwartz as a comedic relief or a heroic smart ass. Considering his roles in series like Parks and Recreation and Space Force, as well as his status as the lead of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, the comedian’s resume has scored him a lot of laughs. Schwartz continues to do so in the 2023 new movie release Renfield although, this time out, he exudes more of a villainous presence when he’s not freaking out over Nicolas Cage’s Dracula. It’s an experience that, through some creative casting in Sonic 3, could see Schwartz starting "the villainous stage" of his career. 

Thanks to the Universal press day for Renfield, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mr. Schwartz to discuss his role as the vibrantly evil Teddy Lobo. The son of crime lord Bella (Shoreh Aghdashloo), Teddy gets up to the usual mischief you’d expect from someone so tied to the criminal underworld. And by mischief, I mean wielding twin pistols and a colorful wardrobe a la Castor Troy from Face/Off while engaging in various activities involving the distribution of cocaine.

It’s a performance that, frankly, got both of us thinking that if Sonic 3 wants to cash in on this mayhem, the powers that be may have found its Shadow the Hedgehog. Don’t take my word for it,, though, as Ben Schwartz shared these devious thoughts with CinemaBlend:

Potentially casting him as the anti-heroic Shadow the Hedgehog isn’t due to a lack of good candidates. With Sonic The Hedgehog 2’s cast having offered some fantastic A-list picks upon the picture’s release in 2022, a lot of different names are in the mix.

And yet, there’s a lot of potential for the man behind the Blue Blur himself to get really nasty in the role the iconic character revealed as a sequel tease during Sonic 2’s ending. Of course, on that note, fans are wondering if there are any updates regarding what’s happening with Paramount’s Sega-produced threequel.

Unfortunately, even with the next film being planned for a Christmas 2024 release, there’s not much to report, at least on Ben Schwartz’s end. But as you’ll see below, he’s anxious to get the ball rolling on the beloved video game characters next big-s outing:

There is a silver lining though, and it comes from a more recent status update. Ahead of Sonic 3, the Knuckles spin-off series -- which was announced last year -- has just gone into production. So there’s news to be reported, it’s just not directly connected to Ben Schwartz just yet; though one could assume we’ll see his character appear at some point in that streaming narrative. At least, that's what a true hero would do when building their own franchise.

Should Sonic the Hedgehog 3 choose to go with another voice of villainy in Shadow the Hedgehog’s casting, there’s always the chance that Ben Schwartz could maybe return to the role of Teddy Lobo. If Renfield’s ending is compelling enough to build strong word of mouth for the horror/comedy, then there could be some sequel potential in the air. 

Whatever the case, he's ready to become a big screen force for evil and, after watching him begin to experiment with that sort of role, it feels like that villain era he wants to launch could become a reality. While we wait for these next moves to become clearer, you can catch all things Sonic the Hedgehog by streaming them with a Paramount+ subscription.

That’s where you’ll be able to find those first two films, and the eventual Knuckles series spin-off at some point in the near future. But if you want to see Ben Schwartz acting like a menace to society and hurling cocaine bricks at Awkwafina, then you’re going to have to head to the movies and see Renfield now.

Video game movies have gotten a lot better in recent years, especially when compared to the misguided and notoriously awful attempts in the 1990s and early 2000s. One of the biggest contributors to this massive sea change has been the popular Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise that started in 2020 with a video game adaptation that was a surprise both in terms of quality and financial success, and was followed up by a sequel with equally impressive box office and critical response in 2022. With the way Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ended, it was almost a given that this wasn’t the last we’d see of the iconic blue blur.

And now that Knuckles has dropped on Paramount+, there’s not that much time before we get to see the franchise make its long-awaited return to the big screen. That being said, we thought it’d be a great time to catch everyone up to speed for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, one of the most exciting upcoming video games on the horizon.  

What Is The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Release Date?

There really isn’t that much time to wait for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as the upcoming threequel is slated to open in theaters on December 20, 2024, meaning we’re going to have a blue (blur) Christmas.  

In August 2022, the official Sonic the Hedgehog movie Twitter account shared a gif of the blue blur, sidekick Tails, and enemy-turned-friend Knuckles, along with a caption revealing the release date. This will put Sonic and company up against the upcoming Disney movie, Barry Jenkins’ long-awaited Mufasa: The Lion King, the only other film slated for release that weekend.

The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Plot Hasn’t Been Revealed But Shadow The Hedgehog Will Be Involved

The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie, which some consider the best video game movie ever made, and its 2022 sequel both had tremendous stories filled with heart, humor, and so much action it felt like you were playing an old Sega Genesis game. And while we don’t yet know what’s going to go down in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the upcoming movie. 

Number one on that list? Oh, just a character named Shadow the Hedgehog, the same mysterious figure teased during the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 post-credits sequence. 

Ben Schwartz And Jim Carrey Lead The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Cast

Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, and the rest of the cast (both live-action and animated) are what made the first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies so much fun. Most of them will be back for another round of action along with some new faces to the franchise.

Ben Schwartz as Sonic The Hedgehog

No surprise here, but Ben Schwartz will be back again as Sonic the Hedgehog in the Blue Blur’s third theatrical release. Schwartz’s return, as well as many other castings, was confirmed by IGN. Over the years, the Parks and Recreation alum has appeared in movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens (he was BB-8) and most recently Renfield.

Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik

Though he planned on retiring from acting in 2022, Jim Carrey will be coming back to the franchise when he plays the villainous Dr. Robotnik once again. In February 2024, Variety reported that the legendary actor and comedian would be donning the massive mustache this December.

Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog

After many months of speculation, The Hollywood Reporter revealed in April 2024 that Keanu Reeves would be voicing Shadow the Hedgehog in the new movie. In addition to being one of the best butt-kickers in Hollywood, Reeves has also popped up in several animated movies over the years, including Toy Story 4 and DC League of Super-Pets.

Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna

Idris Elba instantly became a franchise star when Knuckles the Echidna was introduced in the second Sonic movie, and the actor will be voicing the overly serious character once again in the upcoming threequel.

Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Miles ‘Tails’ Prower

Prolific voice actor Colleen O’Shaughnessey has voiced Miles “Tails” Prower ever since the Sonic the Hedgehog post-credits sequence back in 2020, and she’ll be back for another round of action as Sonic’s best friend and biggest fan.

James Marsden as Tom Wachowski

James Marsden will be returning for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and will once again be playing the Blue Blur’s friend and father figure, Tom Wachowski. 

Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski

Tika Sumpter, who’s also set to appear in the upcoming Knuckles series, will be portraying Maddie Wachowski again when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premieres this winter.

Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone

Lee Majdoub’s Agent Stone was oddly one of the funniest characters in the first two Sonic movies, and it looks like we haven’t seen the end of the henchman-turned-barista, as he’ll be back with the rest of the pack.

Tom Butler as Commander Walters

Tom Butler’s Commander Walters, the leader of Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.), who was last seen discussing the Shadow project, will continue his work in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Krysten Ritter

Though there have been rumors about her character’s identity, as of the time of this writing, Krysten Ritter’s role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has not yet been officially confirmed. But that should change in time for the Jessica Jones actress.

Cristo Fernández

Ted Lasso alum Cristo Fernández has been in a little bit of everything as of late, and that will soon include Sonic the Hedgehog 3. However, it’s not yet known who he’ll be playing.

The Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Reveal Video Teases A Menacing Character

Though it wasn’t a full trailer, or even a proper teaser, Paramount Pictures did give fans a Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reveal video in February 2024. Again, it wasn’t much, and the 20-second video pretty much amounted to an animated logo and release date (which was already announced), but it did end on an interesting note. 

That mysterious laugh at the end of the reveal video got the rumor mills spinning just minutes after its release (Keanu Reeves’ involvement wasn’t known at the time), with folks online claiming it belonged to Hayden Christensen who many believe is voicing the character. 

A couple of months later, at CinemaCon 2024, Paramount showed off some footage from the upcoming movie, but stopped short of spilling all the mean beans. In CinemaBlend’s live blog of the panel, Sean O’Connell reported that the short clip was heavy on Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, and showed off Shadow to those in attendance. 

The Creative Team Behind The First Two Movies Returns For Sonic The Hedgehog 3

If you were a fan of the first two movies in the franchise then you’ll be glad to hear that the creative team responsible for those video game movies is remaining intact for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. According to Deadline, director Jeff Fowler and screenwriters Pat Casey and Josh Miller all returned to keep the fun going for at least one more movie, though we hope this isn’t the end of the run for the team. 

Ben Schwartz Has Used Words Like ‘Crazy’ And ‘Bananas’ To Describe Sonic The Hedgehog 3

The powers that be that are involved with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 have been quite mum about the specifics of the movie since it was first revealed to be in development back in February 2022, but one of the franchise’s stars has offered some insight as to what we might expect to see. When appearing on the Playlist podcast shortly after the release of the second entry in the series, Sonic voice-actor Ben Schwartz had this to say about the upcoming movie:

Again, Schwartz didn’t reveal why he thinks the movie will be “bananas,” but with all the craziness that went down in the first two films, audiences surely won’t be let down.

Screenwriters Would Like To Incorporate The Sonic Adventure 2 Game Into The Movie

One of the biggest reveals at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog in the end credits sequence. Longtime fans of the video game franchise should be all too familiar with the genetically engineered mammal who first appeared as the villain in the Sega Dreamcast title, Sonic Adventure 2. 

And, with the character appearing to be a major part of the movie franchise moving forward, screenwriters Pat Casey and Josh Miller want to pull from the game with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as Miller revealed during a panel at the KCC Comic Con in May 2022: 

Miller admitted he had to be careful about his comments being misconstrued as official plot lines for the movie, but pulling from the Sega platformers is very much something he wants to do.

Production On Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Wrapped In March 2024

It shouldn’t be all that long before we get to see some footage from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as production on the highly anticipated threequel wrapped earlier this year. In March 2024, director Jeff Fowler took to his official Twitter account to share a picture of himself holding a cartoonishly large clapper with a caption reading “And we are WRAPPED.” Surrounded by blue screens (and blue floors), the filmmaker looked like he was in a stellar mood with his “Keep Calm and Jim Carrey On” shirt.

Considering many of the characters in the movie are animated, there will surely be a long post-production phase before the project is finished for good, but still, we’re only months away from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

What Will Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Be Rated?

Though an official rating has not yet been announced for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and probably won’t for some time, we can speculate based on the previous two movies in the franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 were both rated PG due to rude humor, action, some violence, and mild language, and there’s no reason to think the third film will be any different, especially with all the major players returning.

This wraps up everything we know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but expect to learn more about the movie in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, check out our rundown of all the 2024 movie releases coming to a big screen near you.

In more recent years, I have heard the phrase “superhero fatigue” thrown around a bit, in reference to people who are a little overwhelmed (or even underwhelmed) by the abundance of movies and TV shows based on or inspired by comic book characters these days. Well, I must say that I feel sorry those people and personally cannot relate, which is one of the reason why I am glad to have an Amazon Prime subscription.

Some of the best movies streaming on Amazon Prime Video are about super-powered vigilantes, and a good number of the streaming platform’s most acclaimed original series have people in capes, too. See for yourself by taking a look at our picks for the best superhero movies and TV shows Amazon Prime currently has to offer, starting with one of the best of the bunch, that neither DC nor Marvel Comics can claim.

The Boys (2019-Present)

A devastating personal tragedy leads an average young man (Jack Quaid) to join forces with a group of other powerless and vengeful individuals to take on the world’s most secretly corrupt and dangerous enemies: superheroes.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Based on writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson’s bold comic book series from Dynamite Entertainment, The Boys is a shockingly brutal and refreshingly biting satire on the state of superhero content today (as well as some other timely real-world topics) from show runner Eric Kripke.

Stream The Boys on Amazon Prime. 

The Boys: Diabolical (2022-Present)

A Vought employee tries keep an infant with laser eyes safe (and others safe from her), a dose of Compound-V helps a young man and his crush find love, a little girl plots to prevent her “supe” parents’ divorce, and more make up this collection of animated short films set within the world of The Boys.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: The legacy of Amazon’s hit live-action adaptation of Garth Ennis’ comic is expanded upon in more hysterically bizarre to heartbreakingly beautiful ways with The Boys: Diabolical - an animated anthology series featuring stories by the likes of Andy Samberg and Awkwafina, who are also some of the all-star voice talents that include original The Boys cast members reprising their roles as well.

Stream The Boys: Diabolical on Amazon Prime. 

Invincible (2021-Present)

The teenage son (Steven Yeun) of the world’s most powerful superhero (J.K. Simmons) joins a group of other young, aspiring heroes like him to fight evil and to live up to his father’s expectations.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Another animated Amazon Prime original series that has nothing to do with The Boys, but has often been compared to it due to its similarly violent imagery and macabre humor involving costumed vigilantes, is Invincible - which The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman developed using his own Image comic book of the same name as inspiration.

Stream Invincible on Amazon Prime. 

The Tick (2016-2019)

In a city that is covertly operated by a powerful criminal, an overly ambitious crimefighter dressed as big, blue bug (Peter Serafinowicz) takes an average, aimless accountant (Griffin Newman) under his wing, forming a partnership that will take the world of vigilanteism by storm, if not without a few mishaps along the way.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Based on satirical cartoonist Ben Edlund’s cult favorite character of the same name, the Amazon Prime original seres, The Tick, is one of the most fun, clever, and proudly goofy superhero spoofs in recent memory, as well as the second live-action adaptation of the comic made for television, and third after an animated series from the early 1990s.

Stream The Tick on Amazon Prime. 

Defendor (2010)

A powerless wannabe superhero (Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson) sees his nightly search for his arch nemesis, Captain Industry, put on hold after making a career-killing mistake.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Another great and funny, but comparatively darker, title about an unlikely costumed crimefighter is Defendor - the directorial debut of Canadian actor Peter Stebbings that almost spawned a sequel and also stars future Marvel Cinematic Universe star Kat Dennings.

Stream Defendor on Amazon Prime. 

American Hero (2015)

A near-death experience convinces a man born with telekinesis (Blade star Stephen Dorff) to abandon his days of crime and debauchery and use his abilities to make his neighborhood a better place, with help from his friend (Eddie Griffin).

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Instead of a story about a powerless man who wants to be a superhero, American Hero is an amusing and funny mockumentary-style redemption story about a very powerful man who, initially, has no interest in being a superhero that will surely entertain fans of Hancock and the great found footage thriller, Chronicle.

Stream American Hero on Amazon Prime. 

Megamind (2010)

After he finally defeats his life-long nemesis (Brad Pitt), a blue-skinned extraterrestrial supervillain (Will Ferrell) suddenly finds himself longing for a purpose, leading him to assume responsibility when a new, powerful criminal (Jonah Hill) threatens the city.

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: A more family-friendly story about one person’s evolution from a bad guy to a good guy is Megamind - a fun twist on superhero tropes from Dreamworks Animation and the director of Madagascar and The Boss Baby.

Stream Megamind on Amazon Prime. 

Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)

With some extra help from a human police officer (James Marsden) a furry, talking, blue animal (Ben Schwartz) uses his super speed to take on an eccentric mad scientist (Jim Carrey). 

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Another family-friendly story about a strange blue creature tasked with saving the world is director Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog, which is one of few cinematic adaptations of a video game to really win with both critics and audiences, for once.

Stream Sonic The Hedgehog on Amazon Prime. 

Unbreakable (2000)

A Philadelphia security guard (Bruce Willis) becomes the sole survivor of a devastating train accident, leading him to make an extraordinary discovery about himself that attracts the attention of a comic book guru (Samuel L. Jackson).

Why it is one of the best superhero titles on Amazon Prime: Easily the most earnest, darkest, and most spandex-free title on our list is Unbreakable - the first in a game-changing trilogy of stories that cleverly deconstruct the complex dynamics of superheroes and supervillains, and also one of the best M. Night Shyamalan movies (if not the best) so far.

Stream Unbreakable on Amazon Prime. 

While there are countless other streaming platforms to satisfy your craving for superhero movies and TV shows, the fun and diverse choices on Amazon Prime Video are pretty unbeatable.