When will Sonic The Hedgehog 3 be released?

Nope… it’s not a train, plane or a speeding bullet — it’s a wise-cracking blue mammal in red shoes that’s speeding our way once more in the Sega sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

This video game icon has come a long way since the internet lost its power rings at that doomed first look at the character’s big-screen adaptation back in 2019. Turns out, giving Sonic an uncannily human body and now-infamous toothy grin wasn’t the best choice.

The swift online backlash resulted in Sega’s flagship character receiving a quick-turnaround redesign and when the first Sonic The Hedgehog film finally landed in 2020 it was a huge hit, quickly spawning a 2022 sequel that further expanded Sonic’s world.

Cut to 2024 and a brand new third movie looks set to broaden the Sonic-verse even further, bringing yet another fan-favourite into the mix and once again featuring the return of wild-eyed villain Dr. Robotnik. Seems like a good time to get up to speed, doesn’t it? Here’s everything we know about Sonic The Hedgehog 3…

When will Sonic The Hedgehog 3 be released?

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will be released in cinemas on Saturday, 21 December, making it the perfect movie for a festive cinema trip.

The sequel follows 2023’s Sonic The Hedgehog 2, a movie that first introduced us to Knuckles, a super-strong red echidna warrior who has beef with Sonic and his fox pal Tails but soon becomes an unlikely ally. The character later got his own spin-off series on Paramount+ which debuted in early 2024.

Is there a trailer for Sonic The Hedgehog 3?

The first trailer for Sonic The Hedgehog 3 arrived in August 2024 and gave us our first proper look at a new addition Shadow. Elsewhere, we also met an additional role played by series star Jim Carrey, with the Ace Ventura actor pulling double duty as both Dr. Robotnik and Robotnik’s grandfather Gerald.

Watch the first trailer below:

What will happen in Sonic The Hedgehog 3?

In Sonic The Hedgehog 3, a new threat emerges that forces Sonic, Tails and Knuckles to join forces with someone they never thought they’d ever team up with. The film will also introduce audiences to Shadow, a hedgehog with extreme strength and the power of teleportation who is on a revenge mission that crosses paths with our primary heroes.

“Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before,” explains the movie’s official synopsis. “With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.”

Who is in the cast of Sonic The Hedgehog 3?

Comedian and actor Ben Schwartz returns to voice Sonic, with Carrey back too, this time as both Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald.

Colleen O’Shaughnessey will voice Sonic's partner-in-speed, the fox Miles ‘Tails’ Prower, with Idris Elba back to bring Knuckles to life once more. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will also welcome John Wick actor Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow, the movie’s mysterious new antagonist.

The threequel will also see the return of James Marsden as Sonic’s human pal Tom, Tika Sumpter as his wife Maddie and Breaking Bad star Kristen Ritter as Director Rockwell. Lee Majdoub will reprise his role as Agent Stone, with The White Lotus’ Natasha Rothwell back as Rachel and Adam Pallyr returning as Wade Whipple.

Other cast members in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will include Furiosa’s Alyla Browne, The Lonely Island star Jorma Taccone and Criminal Minds actor Shemar Moore.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will be released in cinemas on 21 December