Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has debuted on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reviews promising one of the best entries in the franchise. The sequel to 2022’s Sega video game adaptation sees Ben Schwartz’s blue speedster and his found family come face to face with his mysterious doppelgänger, Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves), who is on a quest for vengeance against humanity. Alongside Schwartz and Reeves, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 stars Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter.

Ahead of its widespread theatrical release, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has earned a promising early Rotten Tomatoes score. From 49 reviews at the time of writing, the movie has earned an aggregated score of 86%. This places Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the highest-scoring movie in the franchise so far, ahead of 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog (64%) and 2022’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (69%). With 86%, the third movie has also surpassed the Knuckles Paramount+ series, which previously stood as the franchise’s best performer at 74%.

What Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Means For The Movie

Strong Viewer Responses Could Paint A Promising Future

Despite a rough reception to the main character’s infamous initial design, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise stands out as one of the best examples of a video game adaptation between its first two installments. However, with the introduction of Reeves’ Shadow and his tragic origins, the movie carries a somewhat darker tone than its previous two installments. As such, when making a notable deviation from the previous movies’ tones, the third movie could have noticeably stood out to and alienated audiences upon release.

However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s franchise-topping Rotten Tomatoes score stands out as a positive sign for the series going forward. By earning the highest score of the franchise so far, it looks like audiences new and old will be willing to accept the series’ somewhat darker, more story-heavy lean. Furthermore, should the movie’s box office live up to its score, further expansion on the franchise is sure to follow, especially with the reported multiple post-credit teases.

Our Take On Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Rotten Tomatoes Performance

A New Golden Age For Sega’s Beloved Character

Though additional reviews could lead to a slight increase or decrease, it is clear that the franchise will continue its winning streak with Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Both longtime fans and more casual viewers alike have come together to rejuvenate the franchise on both the big screen and in its video game franchise. As such, Sega’s blue speedster is enjoying a new golden age, and it doesn’t seem to be close to stopping any time soon.

With Shadow’s debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being received well, it seems the franchise is only getting better. The question will soon become what comes next from the franchise, especially with the new film serving up several teases for the future. With both cast and creatives eager to see the franchise continue, it looks like Sonic the Hedgehog could be a cinematic staple for many years to come.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Runtime

109 Minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

Director

Jeff Fowler

Writers

Pat Casey
, Josh Miller
, John Whittington

Studio(s)

Sega Sammy Group
, Original Film
, Marza Animation Planet
, Blur Studio

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

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