While shows like “Arcane” and “The Last of Us” receive most of the praise when it comes to ending the curse of video game adaptation, the “Sonic the Hedgehog” films have quietly been giving us (at least as far as critical acclaim goes) gave us the most successful translation of video games into feature films three times in a row. These live-action/animated hybrids have come a long way since terrorizing the internet with that terrible, no good, very bad initial design for Sonic (One way or another, this is just one of the many controversies that the “Sonic” franchise has faced), going up to deliver a billion dollar box office with the third entry.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is a phenomenal family film that not only gives kids their own “Fast and Furious” franchise (to paraphrase BJ Colangelo’s review for /Film), but also one of the best video game films of all time. Masterfully adapting “Sonic Adventure 2,” the film is basically the best “Dragon Ball Z” movie Hollywood could ever aspire to make, with Sonic and Shadow doing their best impressions of Goku and Vegeta. (Light spoiler ahead.) Literally, there’s a moment in the third act where both hedgehogs do the “Predator” handshake and immediately switch to Super Saiyan form while the game’s iconic song “Live and Learn” begins to play. This is fan service well done. (End of spoiler.)

Of course, the big draw of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” was that Keanu Reeves was voicing Shadow, and he more than delivered on that promise, delivering incredible brooding deliveries of lines like “Revenge guac!” But really, this movie belongs to Jim Carrey, who does yet another amazing dance scene in the movie, and also plays not one but two Eggmans this time. He even delivers a hilarious meta-joke about playing both characters at the same time.

After Sonic and Friends dominated the box office when they returned to theaters in December 2024, you can now start the new year off right. Indeed, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” will be available for digital purchase starting tomorrow, January 21, 2025, although, if you live in the right neighborhood, it will technically be released tonight!

According to a Main video “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” will be available digitally starting January 20, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. PST for $24.99, which reflects the digital purchase price of the film. Typically, digital rentals for PVOD releases are $5 less than the purchase price, so you can expect to be able to rent “Sonic 3” for $19.99 for a 48-hour period. Amazon also has a listing for the 4K Blu-ray release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” for April 15, 2025.

Now, given the huge success of these films, there is no doubt that we will be getting a new one soon. Based on the credits scene of “Sonic 3”video game fans may already have an idea of ​​where the franchise is going. The big question is whether Carrey will call off his retirement again to play some more Robotnik.

On a related note, it’s truly amazing to think that the franchise that has most successfully replicated Marvel Studios’ formula of teasing the next chapter via post-credit scene cameos isn’t another property of superheroes, but a property based on “Sonic the Hedgehog”. video games. Each film managed to build great excitement by slowly introducing the games’ larger cast, and even though the only spin-off so far was somewhat of a mess (see: the “Knuckles” series), the central films have reign. Now, if only we could have a “Mario & Sonic at the Olympics” crossover event in the future…