Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – Release date, trailer, cast & Shadow voice actor
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will round out the live-action trilogy just in time for the Christmas holidays. Whether you’re looking for the release date or cast details, let’s try to keep up.
While recentSonic gamesmay have struggled to win over fans, the live-action films have certainly brought about a new wave of popularity for the blue blur and other Sonic characters.
Fans were concerned when aleaker threatened to share the whole film online. But that thankfully never came to fruition.
Now, Sonic 3 pits our favorite fluffball and his team against Keanu Reeves’Shadow the Hedgehog. Tails andKnucklesare back in the fray too, so here’s hoping for a third entry as good as the first two.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date
Paramount Pictures announced Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released onDecember 20, 2024.
Running faster, flying higher, and punching harder.#SonicMovie3hits theatres on June 26, 2025.pic.twitter.com/DcFGbaKUao
Sonic 2 was released in theatres in April 2022, with many praising the film for its fun and exciting visuals, as well as its exploration of the classic Sonic lore. After the success of Sonic 2, Paramount Pictures was quick to greenlight a third.
This release date means that it will be out roughly a year and a half after the second film and be competing with other holiday films.
Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves are the main stars of the Sonic 3 cast.
James Marsden will return as Sonic’s best friend, Tom Wachowski. Also returning is Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik.Confirmedby Variety, Carrey’s return comes after the actor expressed his desire to step away from acting.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 release date, plot theories, cast & characters
Sonic 4 ‘time travel’ rumor may confirm which game it’s based on
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: A dream come true for generations of fans
In footage screened at CinemaCon, Robotnik is depicted as depressed and overweight following the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Rounding out the cast is Reeves as Shadow. His casting put to restmonths of speculation about who would voice Shadow.
Sonic 3 follows the team’s battle against a new rogue threat on the loose: Shadow the Hedgehog.
We hear in the trailer that though they had similar beginnings, where Sonic “found family, Shadow found only pain and loss.”
Shadow is almost always portrayed as the villain and has battled it out with Sonic on multiple occasions. Sonic fans will likely recognize this character and know him for being the polar opposite of Sonic in every way possible.
The film will follow Sonic and company as they try to defeat Shadow. Dr Robotnik may team up with Shadow, similar to how he did with Knuckles in the second film.
Jeff Fowler returns to direct.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer
The first Sonic 3 trailer was revealed on July 16, 2025.
It shows off the stunning animation, Knuckles on Team Sonic, and the gang facing off against Shadow.
How to watch
Sonic 3 will bea theatrical exclusive release before eventually streaming on Paramount+.
The studio has a homebrew streaming platform, where it puts its new films several months after their initial cinema release.
Sonic 3 will also land on digital PVOD, likely before streaming at no extra cost on Paramount+. Given the previous two films’ physical releases, Blu-rays and DVDs are expected too.
Read ourKnuckles revieworhow to watch Sonic Primefor more. Or, check out theKnuckles soundtrack.
