Watch the Sonic the Hedgehog films in release order: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), the Knuckles series (2024), then Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). Knuckles is set between the second and third films and is optional.
- Titles
- 4
- Films
- 3
- Series
- 1
- Watch time
- 8 hours
- Box office
- $1.22 billion
- Avg IMDb
- 6.5
Sonic movies in release order
Here is every Sonic title in the order it came out, 2020 to 2024: 3 films and 1 series.
| # | Title | Year | Type | Runtime | IMDb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonic the Hedgehog | 2020 | Film | 1h 39m | 6.5 |
| 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | 2022 | Film | 2h 3m | 6.5 |
| 3 | Knuckles | 2024 | Series | 2h 54m | 6.1 |
| 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | 2024 | Film | 1h 50m | 6.9 |
Release or chronological: which order is best?
For Sonic the Hedgehog, release order and story order are the same thing: every film picks up after the one before it. There is no prequel to slot in early and no flashback to reshuffle, so the list above is the only order you need.
Where to start
Start with Sonic the Hedgehog and go in release order.
The whole thing is 8 hours. At two hours a night that is about 5 evenings.
The three highest rated: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (6.9), Sonic the Hedgehog (6.5), and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (6.5).
Every Sonic movie, explained
One entry per title in release order: what it is about, why it matters to the bigger story, who is in it and how it did.
No. 01 · 2020 · Film · 1h 39m
Sonic the Hedgehog
Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until Sonic sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik. Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic’s unique power for world domination.
Why it matters: Sonic and Tom Wachowski against Robotnik.
- Starring
- Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
- Box office
- $320 million on a $85 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 64%
No. 02 · 2022 · Film · 2h 3m
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.
Why it matters: Tails and Knuckles arrive.
- Starring
- Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
- Box office
- $405 million on a $110 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 69%
No. 03 · 2024 · Series · 2h 54m
Knuckles
Knuckles embarks on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.
Why it matters: Knuckles' spin-off series; optional.
- Starring
- Idris Elba, Adam Pally, and Stockard Channing
- Creator
- John Whittington and Toby Ascher
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
- Episodes
- 6
No. 04 · 2024 · Film · 1h 50m
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Why it matters: Shadow the Hedgehog.
- Starring
- Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, and Keanu Reeves
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
- Box office
- $492 million on a $122 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 86%
Sonic box office and budgets
The 3 Sonic films with reported numbers have grossed $1.22 billion worldwide on about $317 million in combined budgets, roughly 3.8 times what they cost. The biggest is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at $492 million, 40% of the franchise's total on its own, followed by Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($405 million) and Sonic the Hedgehog ($320 million).
Measured against what it cost, the best return belongs to Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which made 4.0 times its $122 million budget. The weakest was Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at 3.7 times its $110 million budget. As a rule of thumb, a film needs about two and a half times its budget at the box office to cover marketing and the theaters' cut.
The best and worst rated Sonic movies
Across 4 rated titles, Sonic the Hedgehog averages 6.5 on IMDb. The top of the list is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at 6.9, then Sonic the Hedgehog (6.5) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (6.5). At the bottom: Knuckles (6.1) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (6.5).
- Sonic the Hedgehog 36.9 · RT 86%
- Sonic the Hedgehog6.5 · RT 64%
- Sonic the Hedgehog 26.5 · RT 69%
- Knuckles6.1 · RT 75%
Who appears in the most Sonic movies
Adam Pally leads with 4 appearances as Wade Whipple and Wade, ahead of Ben Schwartz (3) and James Marsden (3). Counted from each title's top-billed cast.
| Actor | Role | Titles | First and latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Pally | Wade Whipple / Wade | 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Ben Schwartz | Sonic | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| James Marsden | Tom Wachowski / Tom | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Tika Sumpter | Maddie Wachowski / Maddie | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Jim Carrey | Dr. Robotnik / Ivo Robotnik | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Natasha Rothwell | Rachel | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Lee Majdoub | Agent Stone | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Idris Elba | Knuckles / Knuckles the Echidna | 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Tom Butler | Vice Chairman Walters / Commander Walters | 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) |
| Melody Nosipho Niemann | Jojo | 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) |
| Colleen O'Shaughnessey | Tails | 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
| Shemar Moore | Randall | 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) |
Sonic directors and creators
3 filmmakers have directed or created Sonic the Hedgehog; Jeff Fowler has the most, with 3.
- Jeff FowlerSonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
- John WhittingtonKnuckles (2024)
- Toby AscherKnuckles (2024)
How long it takes to watch every Sonic movie
All 4 titles add up to 8 hours: 6 hours of film and 3 hours of series, counting every episode. That is about 5 two-hour evenings, or 1 days of ten-hour binges. The longest film is Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at 2h 3m.
The 3 best rated films: Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Everything takes about 9 days.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is out March 19, 2027. Track what you've watched on the timeline and it counts the hours left.
Upcoming Sonic movies
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4March 19, 2027
Common questions
What order should I watch the Sonic movies in?
Watch the Sonic the Hedgehog films in release order: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), the Knuckles series (2024), then Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). Knuckles is set between the second and third films and is optional.
How many Sonic movies and shows are there?
There are 4 titles in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise: 3 films and 1 series, released from 2020 to 2024. 1 more is announced: Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
How long does it take to watch all the Sonic movies?
About 8 hours for all 4 titles, counting every episode.
What is the first Sonic title in chronological order?
Sonic the Hedgehog, set in Green Hills, Montana. In release order the first is Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).
What is the next Sonic release?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4, out March 19, 2027.
What is the best Sonic movie?
By IMDb score, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) at 6.9, followed by Sonic the Hedgehog at 6.5.
What is the highest-grossing Sonic movie?
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), with $492 million worldwide. Sonic the Hedgehog films have made $1.22 billion in total.
Who has appeared in the most Sonic movies?
Adam Pally, in 4 of them as Wade Whipple.
What is the longest Sonic movie?
Sonic the Hedgehog 2, at 2h 3m.
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