The third installment of the iconic video game adaptation “Sonic the Hedgehog”—titled “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”—will premiere in local cinemas on December 26.
The hybrid animated-live-action film by Paramount Studios has already become the highest-grossing movie during the pre-Christmas week in the U.S., decisively outperforming its main competitor, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Based on these results, it is poised to be the top holiday hit at the box office over the next three weeks.
The animated film, which has received glowing reviews, exceeded initial earnings projections of $55–60 million by grossing $62 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. Meanwhile, “Mufasa” earned only $35 million, far below its expected $50 million opening.
Both films debuted on Friday, December 20, but it appears that the lovable blue hedgehog has taken the lead at the box office. Additionally, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” enters most international markets this week, further boosting its performance. Notably, “Sonic” had a production budget of $120 million, significantly less than “Mufasa’s” $200 million, making its profitability even more impressive.
Star-studded cast returns
Director Jeff Fowler is back for the third installment, with Ben Schwartz reprising his role as the voice of Sonic—the speedy blue creature known for defeating villains. Jim Carrey also returns as Sonic’s nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, a mad scientist obsessed with world domination.
Sonic reunites with his friends Knuckles and Tails to face a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with abilities unlike anything they’ve encountered before. Overwhelmed by Shadow’s strength, Sonic’s team must form an unexpected alliance to stop him and protect the planet.
The film received an “A” rating from audiences on CinemaScore and holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its status as a profitable franchise for Paramount.
Industry praise
David Gross, head of the film consultancy Franchise Entertainment, praised “Sonic” as an excellent business strategy:
- The franchise has made all the right moves from the beginning—smart investments, top-tier production, and a clear vision. Over the past five years, “Sonic” has evolved into a highly desirable “four-quadrant” film, appealing to younger and older men and women, as well as families – Gross said.
Following the massive success of the first two films, which together grossed $725 million globally and generated over $180 million from digital rentals and purchases, the third movie was expected to reach the top of the charts. Meanwhile, plans for a fourth film, set for release in 2027, are already underway.
The legacy of Sonic
The “Sonic the Hedgehog” video game series and multimedia franchise were created in 1991 by Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara for Sega. It follows Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog, and has expanded over time to include racing, fighting, and sports-themed games developed by various studios.
The franchise also spans comics, animated series, live-action films, and merchandise. To date, the games have sold over 250 million copies, and the franchise has earned more than $5 billion globally.
Source: Glas Srpske
