Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has officially outperformed its predecessor, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, at the domestic box office. By Tuesday, the film achieved a total domestic gross of $191.37 million, surpassing Sonic 2’s $190.87 million lifetime domestic earnings. Adding $1.95 million from 3,746 locations on Tuesday alone, the third installment has solidified its position as a standout entry in the franchise.
Opening with $60.1 million during its debut weekend, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 demonstrated impressive staying power, achieving a legs multiplier of 3.18—an indicator of its strong performance beyond the opening weekend. The domestic share accounts for 56.4 percent of its global box office, and its worldwide earnings have reached 2.8 times its $122 million production budget.
While Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has achieved a higher domestic gross, it did so with a more modest opening weekend compared to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which debuted at $72.1 million. However, the third film’s stronger legs helped it close the gap and ultimately surpass Sonic 2. By comparison, the first film in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog, had an opening weekend of $58 million, with a final domestic gross of $146 million.
Other metrics reveal the shifting dynamics of the franchise. Sonic 3 played in fewer theaters than its predecessors, with a peak of 3,769 locations versus Sonic 2’s 4,258. Despite this, it managed to perform admirably, demonstrating the growing appeal of the Sonic brand.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the third entry in the film series based on the popular video game franchise. Directed by Jeff Fowler and featuring a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, the film introduces Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog. Returning cast members include Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, and Idris Elba.
The plot draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog, following Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they confront Shadow and the Robotniks. The movie premiered on December 10, 2024, at Empire Leicester Square in London and was released in the United States on December 20.
