Franchise Writers Discuss Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Unprecedented Rotten Tomatoes Score

Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Writers Commentary on Rotten Tomatoes Score

Paramount recently released Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on December 20, continuing the beloved franchise that launched with the adaptation of the iconic video game series. Following the premiere of this third installment, the studio has confirmed a fourth film, which aims to expand on the adventures of Sonic, Shadow, and others as they move beyond the events of the preceding films. Although Sonic the Hedgehog 3 experienced a moderate box office performance with over $60 million in its opening weekend, it remains in theaters, facing competition from films such as Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2.

Writers Respond to Reception

In a recent exclusive interview with ScreenRant, writers Joel Miller and Pat Casey discussed the film’s reception, particularly its Rotten Tomatoes score. The duo humorously acknowledged the potential “curse”surrounding third installments in film trilogies, drawing parallels between the character Shadow and a certain well-known dark figure from another superhero franchise, notably referencing Spider-Man 3. Despite these concerns, they were delighted to see Sonic the Hedgehog 3 receiving favorable reviews.

Josh Miller: Pretty great. It’s not like it’s unprecedented, but for three movies into a series, to have the general fan consensus seem to be that they just keep getting better?

Pat Casey: Yeah, third movies and trilogies, there’s been a bit of a curse involved, with pretty rare exceptions.

Josh Miller: I think we all joked a lot about that at the beginning of like, “Uh oh, here we go.”[Laughs] Especially if you compare, say, the similarities between Shadow and a certain dark doppelganger from another superhero franchise part 3 that fans were not quite as excited with when it came out.

Pat Casey: Should we have had a scene of just Sonic walking around, being a jerk and dancing like a moron?

Josh Miller: Emo Sonic. [Laughs] I think it actually would’ve really fit well in Sonic 3.

Significance of the Ratings

The success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is marked by its impressive reviews, achieving the highest ratings in the trilogy. The film boasts an 88% rating on the Tomatometer and an exceptional 97% on the audience’s Popcornmeter. This achievement makes it the only entry in the series to receive the coveted Certified Fresh designation on Rotten Tomatoes, a noteworthy accolade for any film. For Miller and Casey, this speaks volumes about the film’s quality, indicating that they managed to steer clear of the typical pitfalls associated with third sequels.

Sonic Franchise Rotten Tomatoes Score
Franchise Film	Tomatometer	Popcornmeter
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)	64%	93%
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)	69%	96%
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)	88%	97%

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Franchise

Positive critical reception for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 could bolster its long-term box office performance. Although it did not surpass the opening weekend figure of its predecessor, which earned $72.1 million, the film has the potential to achieve notable success. To become the highest-grossing film in the franchise, it would need to exceed the overall figure of $405.4 million worldwide. As the film continues its run in theaters—a period that typically tends to be quieter in January—there remains a possibility for it to reach these financial milestones.

The Stakes for Sonic 4

While Sonic 3‘s positive Rotten Tomatoes score sets a high bar, it also places significant expectations on the team for Sonic the Hedgehog 4. With an impressive 97% audience score, the fourth installment must build on its predecessors while delivering fresh and engaging content. Fans hope that the upcoming film will not only maintain this momentum but also further excite audiences, ensuring the franchise continues to thrive.

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