Paramount Pictures have officially announced that a fourth installment in the successful Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise is currently in development. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will have an anticipated theatrical release in spring 2027.

The announcement comes as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 debuts in theaters on December 20, with the latest entry already receiving positive critical acclaim. The third film currently holds an 86 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 57 critic reviews. The movie is expected to dominate the box office, with projections suggesting earnings between $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American theaters, with additional international releases planned across 52 markets during the Christmas period.

The franchise has proven to be a significant success for Paramount Pictures, with the first two films generating a combined global box office of $725.2 million. The series has also performed well in home entertainment, driving over $180 million in global consumer spending through rentals and digital purchases. The success extended to streaming with “Knuckles,” a spinoff series on Paramount+.

Furthermore, director Jeff Fowler, who helmed all three previous films, brought together an impressive cast for the third installment, including Jim Carrey in a dual role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik, Ben Schwartz as Sonic, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog.

While plot details for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 have not yet been revealed, the announcement demonstrates Paramount’s continued confidence in the video game adaptation, which began with the original 1991 SEGA game.