Warning! Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ahead!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3included a handful of moments to set upSonic the Hedgehog 4. Overall, the future of this live-action franchise looks bright, as the 2024 movie effectively carried Team Sonic’s story forward.Sonic the Hedgehog 3had a happy and satisfying ending, but the two post-credit scenes planted the seeds of another sequel, both teasing that some assumed deceased characters are still alive and setting up new allies and villains alike. Add in the subtle references of more stories to tell inSonic 3, and there is certainly a lot to look forward to in another sequel.
The most recentlive-actionSonic the Hedgehogmoviehit theaters on August 18, 2025, joining the previous two feature films and the Paramount+ spinoff series,Knuckles. Almost immediately afterSonic the Hedgehog 3’s release, Paramount announced that a fourth movie is already in the works, expected to hit theaters sometime in 2027. Of course, given the events ofSonic 3, this is no huge surprise. The live-action franchise is thriving, and the most recent installment did a spectacular job planting more seeds for theconfirmedSonic the Hedgehog 4.
6Dr. Robotnik’s Death (Again)
Robotnik Returned Once - He Can Do It Again
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is the second movie in the live-action franchise that ends withDr. Robotnik’s presumed death. Back inSonic 2, it was assumed that the evil villain was killed when his robot came crashing down around him after Sonic used the Master Emerald. However, Doctor Eggman rejoined the fight inSonic 3, at first teaming up with his rival hedgehog before turning on him to join his evil grandfather, Gerald Robotnik (also played by Jim Carrey).
Of course, Gerald ended up being up to no good, and Dr. Robotnik didn’t fancy dying along with the rest of the world. His goal has typically been to rule over Earth, and his grandfather’s plan to destroy everything and everyone didn’t quite align with that. So, Carrey’sSonic the Hedgehogvillain sacrificed his life to save the planet. It was a fun twist for his character, but it means that, once again, Team Sonic believes that they have seen the last of Dr. Robotnik/Eggman.
Since Eggman is the overarching villain of theSonicfranchise, it’s doubtful that he is actually dead—or, at least, that he is gone for good. Instead, his sacrifice at the end ofSonic 3only further sets up the events ofSonic 4.There are several times in theSonicvideo games or anime that Doctor Eggman faked his own deathor found bizarre ways to return, and the same can surely be expected to happen inSonic 4.
5The Return Of Shadow
Shadow Is Ready To Make A Comeback As Well
While Dr. Robotnik’s return is assumed but not confirmed, Shadow’s death at theend ofSonic the Hedgehog 3is a different story. Keanu Reeves joining up with the cast of the live-actionSonicfranchise was certainly exciting news, especially since Shadow was the perfect character for the actor. However,Sonic 3saw Shadow the Hedgehog sacrifice himself to reverse his and Gerald Robotnik’s plan to destroy the Earth. Sonic’s decision to turn away from vengeance inspired the newSonicvillain, but it seemed, for a moment, that this heroism would be his last action.
However, thepost-credits scene inShadow the Hedgehogdefinitively proved that Shadow isn’t dead. He was seen walking up to a crater and grabbing one of his Inhibitor Rings, which stifle his power to prevent dangerous consequences. He had taken them off before pushing Gerald Robotnik’s Earth-destroying weapon out of the way. The fact that he is alive and well enough to reclaim these rings hints that he will return forSonic the Hedgehog 4.
The fact that he is alive and well enough to reclaim these rings hints that he will return for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
This is a relief but not a surprise. It would be quite a shock if Paramount brought in Reeves to voice this iconicSonic the Hedgehogcharacter, only to kill him off after a single movie.The curious thing here is what Shadow will do next. Now that he has let go of his desire to get revenge following Maria’s death, his path is somewhat unclear. Of course, deciding not to destroy the world doesn’t necessarily mean that Shadow will be cooperative with GUN. This dark hedgehog will surely be at the center of further conflicts to come inSonic the Hedgehog 4.
4Amy Rose Joined The Fight
Sonic 3’s Post-Credits Scene Introduced Amy Rose
Shadow’s return was only one of thepost-credits scenes inSonic the Hedgehog 3. The other saw Sonic taking part in another family race through the woods, only to find himself much further from home than he had initially intended. This is when he was suddenly attacked by a league of new (but familiar) villains (more on this later), and it seemed for a moment that Sonic would be overpowered. In just the nick of time,a hooded figure carrying a rather intense hammer appeared. This was, of course, Amy Rose, another hedgehog from theSonicfranchise.
The live-actionSonicmovies have slowly added more and more of the traditional characters from the video games and anime, beginning with Knuckles and Tails inSonic the Hedgehog 2and Shadow inSonic the Hedgehog 3. Now, it seems that Amy Rose is next. Amy first joined the video game franchise with 1993’sSonic CDand became a playable character in 1998’sSonic Adventure. She possesses similar speed abilities as Sonic. And wields a powerful hammer that assists her in battle. Additionally, Amy tends to have a massive crush on Sonic.
TheSonic the Hedgehog 3post-credit scene demonstrates how capable Amy Rose is with her hammer,hinting that she will continue to be an asset to Team Sonic going intoSonic the Hedgehog 4. Amy and Sonic don’t exchange words in their quick scene together, so the upcoming installment will surely explore their friendship going forward.
3Sonic Vs. Metal Sonic
Sonic 3’s Ending Brought In Another Iconic Villain
Metal Sonic is another massive reveal ofSonic the Hedgehog 3’s first post-credits scene. After Sonic believed that he had won the family race, he suddenly found himself surrounded by dozens of robots, each of which looked like a metal version of him. Naturally, this first inspired a handful of jokes from Sonic, but it quickly became clear that these robots were too much for him to handle alone. This is when Amy Rose jumped in and helped save the day, but the implication here is that this won’t be the end of these Metal Sonics.
The ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn’t reveal where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a leading mystery at the start ofSonic the Hedgehog 4.
Metal Sonic is typically considered Sonic’s most powerful adversary in theSonicuniverse, andhe is canonically a creation of Dr. Robotnik—another clue that Carrey’s Eggman isn’t dead after all. The ending ofSonic the Hedgehog 3didn’t reveal where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a leading mystery at the start ofSonic the Hedgehog 4
Metal Sonic debuting in the live-actionSonic the Hedgehogfranchise at the same time as Amy Rose is another intriguing aspect of this post-credits scene. Like Amy, this villain first appeared in the video gameSonic CD. Metal Sonic kidnapped Amy, and Sonic and his pals were tasked with rescuing her.Sonic the Hedgehog 3bringing in these characters at the same timemay be a hint thatSonic the Hedgehog 4will take inspiration from the 1993 video game.
2The Chao Cafe
Chaos Are Officially Part Of The Live-Action Franchise
Long beforeSonic the Hedgehog 3’s post-credits scenes, there was another potential setup for a future sequel. After landing in Japan to confront Shadow, Team Sonic sat down for a meal at a Chao Cafe. Adorably decorated with people in Chao costumes, this cafe was another reference to theSonicuniverse.Chao are pixie-like beingsthat pop up frequently in theSonicgames, having first appeared inSonic Adventure(the first game in which Amy Rose was a playable character). Though they are sometimes adorable companions, they connect intimately with essential plot points.
There was never anyreal Chao inSonic the Hedgehog 3, only people in costumes and images decorating the cafe’s walls. However, the live-action franchise’s reference to these beings is intriguing, especially considering that the Master Emerald was hidden away on Earth inSonic the Hedgehog 2. In canon, theChao were initially led by a deity called Chaos, guardian of the Chaos Emeralds. Following an attack from the Echidna tribe, Chaos was sealed away in the Master Emerald.
It’s difficult to say how this all fits in with the live-actionSonicfranchise’s version of canon. However, the fact that both the Master Emerald and the adorable Chaos have been features of theSonic the Hedgehogmovies implies that this could all come into play. PerhapsSonic the Hedgehog 4will reveal where the inspiration for the Chao Cafe in Japan came from—there may even be a colony of real Chao hidden away on Earth somewhere, aimless without their leader.
1The Return Of The Master Emerald
The Master Emerald Will Surely Continue To Be Key
TheMaster Emerald was introduced inSonic the Hedgehog 2as the primary objective of Kunckles the Echidna and Dr. Robotnik. It was ultimately revealed that Sonic could use the Master Emerald to become Super Sonic, but this is a power the gang decided was too much ever to be safely wielded again. Of course, Sonic threw this out the window inSonic the Hedgehog 3, when he first used the Master Emerald to get revenge on Shadow, then turned around and used its power (along with Super Shadow) to save Earth from Gerald Robotnik’s terrible scheme.
PerhapsSonic the Hedgehog 4will see Dr. Robotnik break the Master Emerald open, thus unleashing the villain Chaos.
It’s assumed that the Master Emerald is again hidden away following the events ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. However, the fact thatit was so quickly brought back into play after Team Sonic promised never to use the thing againindicates thatSonic the Hedgehog 4will again feature the Master Emerald. This is further supported by the thirdSonicmovie’s reference to the Chao, who share a connection with this powerful stone. PerhapsSonic the Hedgehog 4will see Dr. Robotnik break the Master Emerald open, thus unleashing the villain Chaos—of course, only time will tell.
Sonic the Hedgehog3is expected to become available to stream on Paramount+ in February 2025.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
