Looking for the correct Sonic the Hedgehog movies in order? Good news — this is one of the rare franchises where release order and chronological order are basically the same thing, so you don’t need a flowchart to keep up. The one wrinkle is the Knuckles spinoff series, which slots in between films rather than off to the side. Since launching in 2020, the franchise has become the highest-grossing video game movie series ever, crossing over $1 billion worldwide and winning over critics along the way with its practical-effects-heavy redesign of Sonic himself. Here’s the quick answer, followed by the full breakdown.
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Quick Answer: Sonic the Hedgehog Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonic the Hedgehog | 2020 | Jeff Fowler |
| 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | 2022 | Jeff Fowler |
| 2.5 | Knuckles (TV series) | 2024 | Jeff Fowler (EP) |
| 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | 2024 | Jeff Fowler |
| 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog 4 | 2027 | Jeff Fowler |
Since release order and story order match up here, you can watch straight down this list with zero confusion — just make sure Knuckles gets slotted in between films 2 and 3.
Sonic the Hedgehog Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic is on the run from Dr. Robotnik after his powers put an entire planet’s tech at risk, and he lands on Earth to lay low in a small Montana town. What starts as a fish-out-of-water comedy quickly turns into a road-trip buddy movie between Sonic and small-town sheriff Tom Wachowski. Behind the scenes, the film famously delayed its release after backlash over Sonic’s original character design, sending the animation team back for a total redo. It ends by setting up a much bigger blue hedgehog world — and a certain two-tailed fox — for the sequel.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
With Robotnik banished, Sonic settles into life on Earth, but the arrival of Knuckles the Echidna — hunting for a powerful Master Emerald — pulls him back into the fight. Tails also makes his big-screen debut here, joining Sonic as an ally for the first time. Idris Elba’s casting as Knuckles was a major fan-approved swap, replacing an earlier plan for a different actor. The film ends with the formation of “Team Sonic,” directly setting up both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the Knuckles spinoff.
2.5. Knuckles (2024) — Spinoff Series
This six-episode Paramount+ series picks up right where Sonic 2 left off, following Knuckles as he mentors Wade, a well-meaning but hapless local cop, in the ways of the Echidna warrior code. It’s a lighter, more comedic detour that expands the supporting cast, including Tom and Maddie’s world, before the next film. Idris Elba reprises the role at full length for the first time, giving Knuckles a genuine origin story. It exists as connective tissue heading straight into Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Robotnik teams up with his own grandfather, Gerald, and unleashes Shadow the Hedgehog — a mysterious, more powerful counterpart to Sonic with a tragic backstory. Jim Carrey plays double duty here, portraying both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik in the same film. Keanu Reeves’ motion-capture and voice performance as Shadow was a major casting coup and a highlight for longtime game fans. The film closes on a cliffhanger that pulls Team Sonic — and the audience — straight toward Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
4. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (2027)
Details are still under wraps, but the fourth film reunites Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow for a new threat, with Kristen Bell joining as Amy Rose and elements reportedly drawn from the classic game Sonic CD. Principal photography wrapped in May 2026, with Jeff Fowler teasing it as the “best Sonic movie yet.” It’s confirmed as the next mainline chapter, with the studio also eyeing further expansion of the Sonic universe beyond it.
Do You Need to Watch Knuckles Before Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
No, but it’s strongly recommended. You won’t be lost without it — Sonic the Hedgehog 3 works as a standalone story — but the series deepens Knuckles’ character and the found-family dynamic that carries into the third film.
Minimum viable watch order:
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (2027) — once released
How Many Sonic the Hedgehog Movies Are There?
There are currently three released Sonic the Hedgehog films, with a fourth confirmed for 2027, plus the Knuckles spinoff series released in 2024.
All Sonic the Hedgehog Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Sonic the Hedgehog — February 14, 2020
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — April 8, 2022
3. Knuckles (series) — April 26, 2024
4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — December 20, 2024
5. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 — March 19, 2027
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is officially confirmed for a March 19, 2027 theatrical release, with filming completed in May 2026 and voice recording underway. The returning cast includes Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey, joined by newcomer Kristen Bell as Amy Rose.
Beyond that, nothing is locked in. Producers have talked openly about expanding the universe further, and there’s persistent fan speculation — fueled by cast comments — about potential spinoffs centered on Shadow or the Chaotix crew. Treat anything past Sonic 4 as a rumor until Paramount makes an official announcement.
FAQ
Is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 the last movie before the sequel? Yes — as of 2026, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) is the most recent released film, with Sonic the Hedgehog 4 next up in March 2027.
Do the Sonic movies need to be watched in a specific order? Watch them in release order — the story unfolds sequentially, so there’s no separate “chronological” order to worry about.
Where does Knuckles fit in the Sonic movies in order? The Knuckles series takes place between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), so it’s best watched in that gap.
Will there be a Sonic the Hedgehog 5? Nothing is confirmed yet. Paramount has hinted at expanding the franchise further, but no fifth film has been officially announced.
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