Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has officially secured a near-perfect audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, breaking another record for the franchise. The third installment in the beloved video game adaptation series sees Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) band together to stop a new threat, Shadow the Hedgehog, whose strength and tragic backstory shakes the series to its core. With Shadow voiced by Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey reprising his iconic role as the redeemed Dr. Robotnik, Sonic's newest adventure offers an action-packed story full of heart and humor that elevates the film above its predecessors.

Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 currently holds an impressive 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with over 500 verified ratings praising its mix of Sega nostalgia, character development, and electrifying spectacle. This makes Sonic 3 the highest-rated film in the franchise among audiences, suring both Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). This glowing reception demonstrates the video game franchise and Fowler's ability to improve with each release.

What Sonic 3's Glowing Rotten Tomatoes Score Means

The Future Of Video Game Movies Is Bright

The remarkable audience score of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reflects a growing confidence in video game-to-film adaptations. Plagued by critical misfires, such as Sonic's original character design or the Minecraft movie's controversial CGI, the genre is finally finding its stride and the release of the third movie has been a major catalyst for this shift. As ScreenRant's Rachel Lebonte writes in her review, "It seems all but certain that Sonic has a number of big screen adventures ahead of him, and I have full confidence that his fans will be happy to take that journey with him." Better late then never!

The audience is not only embracing the franchise but is impressed by its evolution as the third installment delivers a dramatic peak into the blue and red-striped hedgehogs' psyche. Shadow the Hedgehog’s darker story arc is a tonal shift for the family-friendly franchise, yet viewers appear more invested than ever. The response is a bright green light for future projects that could expand on the Sonic The Hedgehog lore as seen with Sonic 3's post-credits scene, or through a continuation of spin-offs like Knuckles' live-action series.

Our Take On Sonic 3's Record-Breaking Audience Score

The Iconic Blue Hedgehog Isn't Slowing Down Anytime Soon

It’s clear that the Sonic franchise has found a winning formula. With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 earning such glowing reviews from audiences, it seems fans have overwhelmingly responded to Shadow's story and Fowler's vibrant blend of humor, high-energy action, and heartfelt reconciliation. Clearly, video game movies can be more than mere nostalgia-driven cash grabs if they offer a compelling story that can captivate viewers of all ages. As Sonic speeds into what could be its golden age, it feels like this franchise is only scratching the surface of its potential.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes