Sonic the Hedgehog is an action-adventure comedy film series developed by Paramount Global and Sega Sammy Group.

It is part of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise and consists of three released films, with a fourth in production, and a spin-off TV series.

[1] Development for a Sonic the Hedgehog film had occurred dating back to 1993, when Michealene Risley, consumer products director of Sega of America negotiated with several Hollywood producers.

Sega of America CEO Tom Kalinske feared damaging the brand, citing the commercial and critical failures of previous video game film adaptations Super Mario Bros. (1993) and Street Fighter (1994).

In August 1994, Sega struck a development deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Trilogy Entertainment Group, with Pen Densham as executive producer.

The project was dropped in 2007 due to a corporate upheaval and the death of Sega licensing manager Robert Leffler, who had supported Penders.

[6] It would be produced by Neal H. Moritz by his Original Film banner alongside Takeshi Ito, Mie Onishi, and Toru Nakahara, and written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux.

Following the success of the first film, Paramount had confirmed that a sequel was in development in May 2020, with Fowler set to return as director alongside writers Casey and Josh Miller.

In February 2022, Sega and Paramount confirmed that a third Sonic the Hedgehog film was in active development,[32] with Schwartz reprising his role, who expressed interest in it being subtitled "The Next Level."

[37] In February 2024, it was officially confirmed that Carrey would be reprising his role for the film,[38] while Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone were cast.

In September 2024, producer Toby Ascher stated intent for additional installments in the franchise following the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

[44][45] While nothing has yet been officially disclosed about the film's story, fans and journalists have widely speculated that it will take inspiration from Sonic CD, which served as the introduction of both characters to the video game series.

[51] A stop-motion short titled A Very Sonic Christmas was released on December 11, 2024, with Schwartz, Elba, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Reeves reprising their roles and Wade Whipple actor Adam Pally voicing Santa Claus.

[52] Animated in a similar style to the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special, the short sees Sonic showing Tails and Knuckles how to celebrate their first Christmas, including holiday sweaters, tree decorating, and Santa Claus.

[54] On February 15, 2022, during ViacomCBS' investor day, a television series centered around Knuckles was revealed to be in development for Paramount+, with it set for release in 2024.

[56] Additional executive-producers include Idris Elba and Sonic film director Jeff Fowler, who directed the pilot.

[40] Elba, Adam Pally, Tika Sumpter, Ben Schwartz, and O'Shaughnessey reprise their respective roles from the films as Knuckles, Wade Whipple, Maddie, Sonic, and Tails.