Many fans thought Sonic the Hedgehog's success would dip after the third movie, but Sonic 3 has become one of the franchise's highest-grossing movies, surpassing a billion at the box office.
Now Paramount Pictures is gearing up for Sonic 4, and a release date has been officially announced.
When is Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Coming Out?
According to Variety, the fourth Sonic movie will be released on March 19, 2027. Other than the premiere date, no other details have been revealed. However, director Jeff Fowler, who directed all three Sonic movies and one episode of the Knuckles miniseries, could still direct the film.
As far as the plot goes, Sonic 3 teased Sonic's eventual clash with another villain from the game, Metal Sonic. Another member of the Sonic family, Amy Rose, was revealed. It’s also worth noting that Shadow is also teased as alive—but the fate of Robotnik (Jim Carrey) is left ambiguous this time.
Who is Metal Sonic?
Though Shadow was the Sonic villain that got a movie first, Metal Sonic was one of Sonic’s earliest rivals. Considered one of Dr. Robotnik's greatest creations, Metal Sonic rivals Sonic in speed, but instead of a blue hedgehog with a heart, he’s a cold, unfeeling machine whose only purpose is to beat Sonic.
Originally, there was only one Metal Sonic in the games, but his introduction in the film reveals an army of Metal Sonics; Amy Rose could easily beat each of them. Some speculate that the movie would reveal a true Metal Sonic that rivals Sonic, and the robots revealed in the end are just an homage to his original design from the games.
Silver the Hedgehog
With each movie introducing one new member of the Sonic family at a time, some fans are also hoping that the fourth movie could shake up the formula this time. Amy Rose has been teased, but one fan-favorite that has been getting a lot of buzz online is Silver the Hedgehog.
Essentially, the Trunks of the Sonic series, Silver is a time traveler who goes back to his past to stop catastrophic events from destroying his present. With each Sonic movie introducing an enemy that Sonic soon befriends, it would be an interesting change of pace to finally have a new character introduced that is straight up Sonic’s ally.
Besides, Metal Sonic is already considered a ‘pure evil’ villain. After making amends with Knuckles and Shadow, fans agree that the Sonic franchise is due for a villain with no redemption arc. The movies have at least earned that.
Going back to Allies, though, some fans hope the movies have plans to introduce Rouge the Bat at some point. Though Amy Rose is considered Sonic's love interest, Rouge is undoubtedly responsible for awakening a generation of millennial furries.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be released in theatres on March 19, 2027. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is still showing in theatres.