Paramount has set a new release date for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, moving it to a release on December 20, 2024, while pushing back an untitled Smurfs musical to February 2025.
Combined, the two films have grossed $721 million worldwide, with “Sonic 2” grossing $401.8 million. The third Sonic film, which was greenlit before Sonic 2 was even released, will see the addition of Sonic’s adversary-turned-antihero ally Shadow the Hedgehog. Paramount has also announced a spinoff series starring Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna is in development for Paramount+.
Sonic 3 will be going up against another threequel with blue protagonists: James Cameron’s “Avatar 3.” Given its pedigree as a sequel to the highest grossing film ever, “Avatar 3” will likely be handicapped as the top holiday grosser, though its true box office potential won’t be known until “Avatar: The Way of Water” hits theaters this winter.
The sole other major release set for holiday 2024 is Universal’s adaptation of the musical “Wicked,” which will be directed by Jon M. Chu and is set for a Christmas Day opening.
