Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Surpasses its Predecessor as Fans Flock to the Edgy Black and Red Hog, Becoming the Series’ Top-Earning Installment

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has clearly resonated with audiences, surpassing the second movie’s box office success and establishing itself as a fan favorite.

We’ve known for a while that the Sonic film universe is here for the long haul, and recent developments only make that more apparent. Notably, a fourth installment was announced for 2027 even before the third film hit theaters. As of early this month, the series had impressively crossed the $1 billion mark in total box office earnings across all three films. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 managed to clinch the title of the second-highest grossing video game movie in the U.S., trailing only behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie—though by a significant margin. Now, Variety reports that the third movie has set a new record, but this time within its own franchise.

Last weekend, Sonic 3 reached a staggering $420 million in global box office revenue, making it the top earner among the three films released so far. The previous record-holder was the second film, which brought in a still impressive $405 million. Paramount must be thrilled to see this kind of growth, even if it’s a relatively narrow margin—though $20 million isn’t exactly pocket change. At a point where you’d expect a dip, the franchise continues to thrive.

Shadow’s appearance likely played a role in boosting sales for this film, given his status as a beloved character among fans. However, the looming question is whether the fourth film will enjoy similar success. The post-credits scene introduces another fan favorite, which has certainly piqued my interest. We’ll just have to wait and see if Sonic can maintain his upward trajectory.