Sonic the Hedgehog 3has officially secured a near-perfect audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, breaking another record for the franchise. The third installment in the beloved video game adaptation series sees Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) band together to stop a new threat, Shadow the Hedgehog, whose strength and tragic backstory shakes the series to its core. With Shadow voiced by Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey reprising his iconic role as the redeemed Dr. Robotnik, Sonic’s newest adventure offers an action-packed story full of heart and humor that elevates the film above its predecessors.
Directed by Jeff Fowler,Sonic the Hedgehog 3currently holds animpressive 98% audience score onRotten Tomatoes, with over 500 verified ratings praising its mix ofSeganostalgia, character development, and electrifying spectacle. This makesSonic 3the highest-rated film in the franchise among audiences, surpassing bothSonic the Hedgehog(2020) andSonic the Hedgehog 2(2022). This glowing reception demonstrates the video game franchise and Fowler’s ability to improve with each release.
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What Sonic 3’s Glowing Rotten Tomatoes Score Means
The Future Of Video Game Movies Is Bright
The remarkable audience score ofSonic the Hedgehog 3reflects a growing confidence in video game-to-film adaptations. Plagued by critical misfires, such as Sonic’s original character design or the Minecraftmovie’s controversial CGI, the genre is finally finding its stride and the release of the third movie has been a major catalyst for this shift. AsScreenRant’s Rachel Lebonte writes in her review,“It seems all but certain thatSonic has a number of big screen adventures ahead of him, and I have full confidence that his fans will be happy to take that journey with him.“Better late then never!
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play
Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s soundtrack includes songs from across decades and genres, including a fan-favorite track pulled directly from the Sonic games.
The audience is not only embracing the franchise but is impressed by its evolution as the third installment delivers a dramatic peak into the blue and red-striped hedgehogs' psyche. Shadow the Hedgehog’s darker story arc is a tonal shift for the family-friendly franchise,yet viewers appear more invested than ever. The response is a bright green light for future projects that could expand on theSonic The Hedgehoglore as seen withSonic 3’s post-credits scene, or through a continuation of spin-offs like Knuckles' live-action series.
The Iconic Blue Hedgehog Isn’t Slowing Down Anytime Soon
It’s clear that theSonicfranchise has found a winning formula. WithSonic the Hedgehog 3earning such glowing reviews from audiences, it seems fans have overwhelmingly responded to Shadow’s story and Fowler’s vibrant blend of humor, high-energy action, and heartfelt reconciliation. Clearly,video game movies can be more than mere nostalgia-driven cash grabsif they offer a compelling story that can captivate viewers of all ages. AsSonicspeeds into what could be its golden age, it feels like this franchise is only scratching the surface of its potential.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
