Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date announced as Paramount pushes the Smurfs musical

Paramount Pictures has revealed the anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date, which will race into theaters worldwide on December 20, 2024. In addition to securing the date for Sonic’s next adventure, the studio announced its Untitled Smurfs Musical will be pushed back to February 14, 2025. Interestingly, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will now go up against James Cameron’s Avatar 3. While many consider this strategy bold, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has displayed its ability to win the box office in a big way, twice. It’s also worth noting that the temperature for Avatar’s return remains unknown. We can assume it will perform like gangbusters, but without numbers to do the math, we don’t know what level of success Avatar 3 will experience.

The plot details for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are unknown, though all signs point to the sequel introducing the antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog. It is also unclear if Carrey will reprise his villainous role for the sequel.

Based on Sega‘s beloved video game franchise, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise launched with a 2020 film of the same name. In the movie, the speedy and attitudinal video game mascot, Sonic (Ben Schwartz), matched wits with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) before the mad genius could take over the world. Jeff Fowler directed from a script by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, with the film earning $319.7 million worldwide. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released in April 2022, making $402 million worldwide.

Meanwhile, Paramount’s Untitled Smurfs Musical is the latest film in the Smurfs franchise after The Smurfs (2011), The Smurfs 2 (2013), and Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). The latest Smurfs project was announced at CinemaCon 2021, with few details about the upcoming release. Based on the Belgian comics, the Smurfs are tiny, blue, humanoid creatures who live in mushroom houses in the forest. At the same time, the Smurfs go about their business, commune with nature, and strive to avoid the wrath of Gargamel, an evil inventor and magician who hunts Smurfs alongside his cat Azrael.

Are you excited about Sonic the Hedgehog 3? Do you think the threequel stands a chance against Avatar 3 at the box office? Let us know in the comments section below.