Next month should be huge for Sonic fans as, in addition toSonic the Hedgehog 3’s marketing campaign starting soon,Sonic the Hedgehog(2020) is coming to Netflix on September 1. One of the most successful multi-media franchises of the last four decades,Sonic the Hedgehogstarted in 1991 with Sega’s Mega Drive game and has since spawned countless adaptations and products. Still, it was only in 2020 that Sonic made it to the big screen.
Starring Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, and James Marsden as Tom “Lord Donut” Wachowski,Sonic the Hedgehogbrings its titular character into the real world. The movie has Sonic traveling from his universe to ours and making Green Hill his new home, a dynamic Sonic fans were no strange to thanks toSonic X. Sonic lives a happy but unfilled life until he has to team up with Tom to stop Doctor Eggman in a hilarious, heartwarming live-action adaptation that even non-video game fans can enjoy once it arrives on Netflix on September 1st.
Did You Know:Sonic the Hedgehog’s first trailer was released on August 11, 2025, and it featured the infamous “ugly Sonic” design. After fan backlash, the movie was delayed, Sonic was redesigned for the entire film, and the result was much better.
Why You Should Watch Sonic The Hedgehog On Netflix
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2020 family adventure film directed by Jeff Fowler, focusing on Sonic, a speedy blue hedgehog who teams up with a small-town sheriff. They work together to thwart the plans of the evil Dr. Robotnik, who seeks to exploit Sonic’s extraordinary abilities for global domination.
Video game adaptationshave a complicated reputation, with films likeMortal Kombat: AnnihilationandStreet Fightermaking a case against live-action versions of beloved properties. However,Sonic the Hedgehogworks not only as a great take on the Sonic universe but also as a movie.It’s a fun adventure that works for the entire family, with hilarious moments ranging from Jim Carrey’s delivery to deep-cut jokes written specifically for fans of the source material.
While the idea of having Sonic in the real world paired with a lot of original characters seemed strange at first, it worked perfectly.Sonic the Hedgehogrightfully avoids leaning too heavily into Sonic lore and instead tells a straightforward yet engaging story about Sonic discovering his place in the world as he forges a strong bond with his new family.Sonic the Hedgehoghas since received a theatrical sequel and a TV spinoff, with a third movie premiering later this year.
At a little over 90 minutes,Sonic the Hedgehogis a great adventure film that also happens to star one of the most beloved characters of all time.Ben Schwartz is perfectly cast as Sonic, and so is Jim Carrey as Eggman. Sonic fans who can’t wait to watch theupcomingSonic the Hedgehog 3can revisit where the live-action franchise started, whereas those not familiar with the series have the perfect opportunity to see what the Sonic movies’ success is all about.
What ScreeenRant has said aboutSonic the Hedgehog:
Sonic the Hedgehogis great family fun, especially for those with kids and/or parents who grew up playing the Sega games. The Sonic redesign certainly helps to feed into the nostalgia of the film, giving the movie and character a visual style that’s easily recognizable to fans.Sonic the Hedgehog Review: Cute & Heartfelt, If Uninventive Family Fun
How Sonic The Hedgehog’s Success Led To A Franchise
Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) Was Only The Beginning
Considering the reception to the first trailer in 2019, the fact thatSonic the Hedgehogended up being the first entry in a cinematic universethat already includes two sequels and a TV show is impressive.Sonic the Hedgehoggrossed over $306 million at the box office on a budget of $95 million, proving that both fans of the source material and general audiences were interested enough to come back for more.Sonic the Hedgehog2 brought everything that made the first movie back, includingJim Carrey’s Eggman.
$95 million
$306.8 million
64%
93%
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
$90-110 million
$405.4 million
68%
96%
75
69
WhileSonic the Hedgehog 2brought in more elements and characters from the games – particularly Tails and Knuckles – it kept the essence of the franchise established in the first movie. The 2020 film found a great balance between diving deep into Sonic’s extensive lore and making a film that works for everyone. The human characters inSonic the Hedgehog, such as Tom, Maddie, and Wade, are all fun and compelling.Sonic 3is expected to be the biggest entry in the series in terms of scale, but 2020’sSonic the Hedgehoglaid the groundwork for it to be possible.
Awards
Critics' Choice Super Awards' Best Villain in a Movie, Hollywood Critics Association Awards' Best Animated or VFX Performance
Although the humor inSonic the Hedgehogis designed to work for all ages, the movie never talks down on the audience, and it serves as a great introduction to the Sonic universe for new fans. The movie captures the sense of wonder and adventure from the games and the cartoons, which is why was largely embraced by the fanbase. Sonic’s character model change dominated the conversation leading up to the movie’s release in 2020, but in hindsight, everything worked out in the end.
