Sonic the Hedgehog is speeding onto Peacock, with the 2020 film set to join the streaming platform’s lineup on March 1. Widely regarded as one of the best video game adaptations of all time, the movie helped redefine how Hollywood approaches video game franchises, kicking off a billion-dollar cinematic universe.
Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular speedster, James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, and Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik. The film follows Sonic as he teams up with a small-town sheriff to stop Robotnik’s plans to harness Sonic’s powers for world domination. Despite the challenges typically faced by video game adaptations, the movie surprised both critics and audiences, earning $319 million worldwide against its $90 million budget and setting a record for the biggest domestic opening weekend for a video game film at the time.
The success of Sonic the Hedgehog led to the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in 2022, which introduced fan-favorite characters Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey). The sequel surpassed the original’s box office performance with $405 million globally and was met with stronger critical reception. Though The Super Mario Bros. Movie later overtook its record, Sonic’s cinematic momentum continued to grow.
Following the success of the first two films, Paramount expanded the franchise with the Knuckles spin-off series on Paramount+ and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which introduced Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog. The third film proved to be another commercial hit, propelling the franchise past the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Paramount Pictures President & CEO Brian Robbins praised the franchise’s success, emphasizing its cultural significance and the dedication of its fanbase.
Looking ahead, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set to hit theaters in March 2027. While official casting announcements are pending, Ben Schwartz has hinted at his return as Sonic, and Jim Carrey has expressed interest in reprising his role as Dr. Robotnik despite the character’s uncertain fate in the third film.
For fans eager to relive the adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog will be available to stream on Peacock starting March 1. With the franchise showing no signs of slowing down, now is the perfect time to catch up before Sonic’s next big-screen outing. Stay tuned to Sonic City for more New and Updates as Sonic races toward his next cinematic chapter.
