When the first, uncanny trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog dropped in 2020, few could have predicted that five years later, we would still be talking about a Sonic Cinematic Universe. That original, weirdly toothy design (immortalised in the excellent Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers) was dropped as fast as you could say “let’s do it to it” and the franchise has been on a roll ever since. Three films, three wildly entertaining Jim Carrey performances, one TV show, and plenty of box office later, the only weird thing is that it keeps getting better.
With Sonic the Hedgehog 4 set for release in March 2027, here’s how to watch the Sonic Cinematic Universe in order.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
In the first Sonic movie, the universe’s fastest blue hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) is forced to flee his home planet, ending up in the town of Green Hills, Montana where his earnest attempts to integrate and become friends with a local sheriff (James Marsden) are hampered by the scheming Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), an evil genius intent on stealing and harnessing his powers.
Understandable given those last minute changes to Sonic’s design, but it took more than one outing for the movies to really find their footing. Still, there is plenty to enjoy here in Marsden and Schwartz’s odd-couple double-act, and Carrey’s energy is never less than infectious.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Series director Jeff Fowler expanded on the world of the first film with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, introducing Tails, the Chaos Emeralds and, best of all, Idris Elba’s Knuckles, a strong, comically stoic echidna and the franchise’s first anti-hero. The plot follows Dr. Robotnik’s return from the mushroom planet, and his plan to steal the Chaos Emerald by convincing Knuckles to join his side. With Sheriff Tom and his partner Maddie out of town, Sonic quickly discovers that he still has much to learn. Stick around for the epic final battle.
Knuckles (2024)
The first, and so far only, small screen diversion in the Sonic Cinematic Universe, Knuckles follows the crimson echidna’s struggle to adapt to life in Green Hills following the events of the second movie. Unsure of what to do with himself, he joins deputy sheriff Wade Whipple on a trip to a bowling tournament in Reno but is soon captured by some shady agents who are looking to sell him to an even shadier buyer. Come for the dizzying action scenes but stay for Christopher Lloyd as the voice of Knuckles’ elder, Chief Pachacamac, and Rory “The Hound” McCann as the series’ final boss.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Anyone who thought that Keanu Reeves might phone-in his performance as Shadow, Sonic’s doppelganger and the series’ most tragic anti-hero, probably doesn’t know enough about Keanu Reeves. The best film in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Robotnik’s efforts to, once again, weaponize one of Sonic’s would-be sidekicks. This leads Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles on a dangerous adventure that will take them all the way to Japan and even outer space. Carrey absolutely cooks in his third appearance as the supervillain, and Reeves is genuinely moving as the heartbroken Shadow.
Where To Watch 'Sonic The Hedgehog' Movies And TV Shows Online
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