It’s official: You can spend Christmas with Sonic in 2024. Paramount Pictures has revealed the release date for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Instead of aiming for earlier in the year, as has been the case with the first two films, they’re going for the holiday season with this one. And, most importantly, it sets up a battle of the blue heroes at the box office. 

 

Running faster, flying higher, and punching harder. #SonicMovie3 hits theatres on December 20, 2024. pic.twitter.com/DcFGbaKUao

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@SonicMovie) August 9, 2022

 

The above announcement confirms that the third film in the video game franchise will arrive on December 20, 2024. That means, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be going up directly against Avatar 3. James Cameron has been working on his Avatar sequels for years, with Avatar: The Way of Water finally hitting theaters this December. This could prove to be a big box office battle. Then again, it’s a long way off and one of these films could shift release dates by then. The other thing is that with the box office recovery going as well as it is, there could be room for both films to succeed on that date. 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog hit theaters in 2020 just ahead of the pandemic and managed to become a surprise hit. Even with a short theatrical run, it earned $319 million worldwide against an $85 million budget. This year’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 performed even better. It grossed $401 million globally, and its budget was still kept under $100 million. That’s why Paramount and Sega didn’t waste any time with the third installment. 

 

Here is the synopsis for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. 

 

“After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.” 

 

There is no word yet on plot details or who will return in the cast. Ben Schwartz figures to remain on board as the voice of Sonic. Whether or not director Jeff Fowler returns is up in the air as well. But with the release date set, the picture should be coming together sooner rather than later. 

 

James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Jim Carrey and Shemar Moore starred in the sequel. The cast also included Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.

 

Both “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies are currently streaming on Paramount+. 

 

What do you think? Are you looking forward to the sequel? What characters do you want to see brought into the fold? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!