One of the biggest releases of last year is finally available to stream from home.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be made part of Paramount Plus’ library from June 25.
It means fans can stream at their leisure provided they have a subscrition to the dedicated platform or through an add-on via Amazon Prime Video.
The third chapter in Sega’s beloved blue mascot Sonic’s live-action saga sees Ben Schwartz reprising his role as the voice of the eponymous hedgehog, alongside Idris Elba as Knuckles and Jim Carrey as Doctor Eggman.
Carrey also portrays his character’s grandfather in a dual role. James Marsden returns as one of the few human characters, while Keanu Reeves makes his debut in the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.
The 2024 release synopsis reveals that Sonic, Knuckles and Tails band together to confront Shadow, a new adversary with unprecedented powers. Outmatched in every aspect, they form an unlikely alliance to thwart Shadow and safeguard the planet, reports Surrey Live.
The film was a box office sensation and received high praise from critics and fans alike. An IGN report from January this year stated that the film ranked as the second highest grossing movie based on a video game franchise.
The film pulled in an impressive haul of nearly $500 million globally, albeit trailing behind the 2023 animated Super Mario Bros Movie, which raked in $1.3 billion. However, its position has since been usurped by A Minecraft Movie, which has amassed over $900 million, pushing Sonic down the rankings.
Beyond its commercial success, the movie boasts an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating, coupled with a staggering 95% fan score on the same platform. Fans sharing their thoughts online have heaped praise upon the film.
One fan considers it a significant upgrade from its predecessors, stating: « A big improvement on the previous two movies. Great characters, action and story with some genuinely heartbreaking moments. Keanu Reeves’ Shadow is the definite standout, but I also loved Jim Carrey and I hope the franchise finds a way to bring him back. »
Another enthusiast chimed in: « Absolutely AMAZING MOVIE! Characters are well written, story is great, voice acting is great, CGI is GREAT, and some scenes almost make me cry just thinking about it! Gerald is really good, Shadow is great, and Eggman is one of the best villains in cinema! ».
A different fan opined that the film caters equally well to long-standing devotees of Sonic, whose first outing was in 1991, and newcomers alike. They noted: « Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is an absolute triumph in the realm of animated adaptations, delivering a rich blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling that keeps both longtime fans and newcomers thoroughly engaged. »
They went on to say: « From the very start, the film launches into high-octane action, particularly the intense battles between Sonic and Shadow. These sequences are not just visually striking but also packed with thrilling references to classic Sonic games, which will undoubtedly bring a smile to the faces of those who have followed the franchise for years. »
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is streaming on Paramount Plus from June 25.
