News

After years of waiting patiently, it has finally been confirmed that Santa Claus will see red again as David Harbour returns in the festive action sequel, Violent Night 2. The studio has now confirmed who will direct the follow-up, as well as leaving the perfect release date for part two of the Christmas action-comedy franchise under the tree.

Released back in 2022, the first Violent Night stars David Harbour as Santa Claus alongside John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Cam Gigandet, and André Eriksen. The action outing finds Harbour’s Santa reaching into his sack and bringing out the big guns after a team of elite mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage. But the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus. Who, they quickly find out, is no saint.

The first outing gifted audiences with the...

If we had a penny for every time a major Christmas movie got announced on 11 June, 2025, we'd have two pennies. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Yes, following the wake-up shot that was the announcement Robert Eggers is tackling a new take on A Christmas Carol over at Warner Bros., our mid-summer festive feeling intensified this morning with the news, courtesy of THR, that r-rated candy-canes-and-battle-hammers joint Violent Night is getting a sequel — and both director Tommy Wirkola and star David Harbour are returning.

Slated for a Christmas 2026 release, Violent Night 2 will continue the story of Harbour's Santa Claus, who we first met as a pool ball and ice-skate wielding, jaded alcoholic just about ready to give up on the happiest season in the first movie, only for a home invasion and subsequent spell in the company of kiddo Trudy (Leah Brady) to...

Tommy Wirkola’s Christmas-themed sequel has set its release date. More on Violent Night 2 below.

2022’s Violent Night was a delightful surprise. Who knew watching David Harbour wreak havoc in a Santa costume would be so much fun?

A sequel to the film was announced in 2023 and a 2025 shoot was planned. Now, Universal Pictures has given Violent Night 2 a release date, but it’s still a while away. The sequel will hit US cinemas on 4th December 2026 as confirmed here by Deadline. No UK date has been confirmed but it shouldn’t be too far apart from the US one.

The original saw Harbour’s alcoholic Santa Claus fight mercenaries as they take a family hostage. The film’s thoroughly ridiculous premise works mostly because Harbour commits to it with ferocity and director Tommy Wirkola manages to mix brutal violence with a healthy dose of silliness.

Harbour is...

A sequel to David Harbour's 2022 action comedy has received a theatrical release date. While there are many David Harbour movies and shows, he gained global recognition and critical acclaim for playing Jim Hopper in Netflix's Stranger Things. He's also known for playing Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2021's Black Widow to this year's Thunderbolts, the latter of which saw him teaming up with Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan's Bucky, Hannah John-Kamen's Ghost, Olga Kurylenko's Taskmaster, and Wyatt Russell's John Walker.

Harbour is also confirmed to be returning as Red Guardian in the McU's upcoming Avengers: Doomsday in 2026. He recently starred in Jason Statham's action movie, A Working Man, where he played Levon's former Marine Raider, Gunny, who assisted the protagonist in his mission to rescue his boss's daughter. Despite being loved by the audience, the movie received mixed reviews from critics,...

Christmas came early for fans of bloody and brutal Santas and David Harbour. A sequel to Tommy Wirkola's holiday-set action flick Violent Night is officially on its way, as 87North and Universal have set a release date. Harbour will get his suit and beard back on and get ready to rumble in theaters on December 4, 2026, landing the film right near the start of the holiday season. The Hollywood Reporter has also officially confirmed that Wirkola will be returning behind the camera for more Christmas carnage, as will the first film's writers, Pat Casey and Josh Miller, who've been hard at work on a script. Universal is circling September as a start date for filming in Winnipeg with 87North's Kelly McCormick and David Leitch back as producers.

Released in 2022, the original Violent Night was a treat for action fans and Christmas movie lovers alike, casting Harbour as a bitter old...

The Ho-Ho-Horrordays are coming in 2026; Violent Night 2 has officially set a release date.

87North and Universal will release Violent Night 2 in theaters December 4, 2026.

Santa Claus actor David Harbour confirmed his return recently, and, in an update, while Deadline reported it was unclear whether director Tommy Wirkola will be back to helm the sequel, THR officially confirmed that Wirkola officially returns for Violent Night 2.

Pat Casey and Josh Miller will also be back to write Violent Night 2. “There’s stuff we left on the floor like the North Pole, Mrs. Claus, the elves,“ director Tommy Wirkola noted last year. “But story-wise, I think we have a really, really cool idea that expands on the world and scope but still keeping that tone that we love from the first one.”

In 2022’s Violent Night, “A team of elite mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve,...

Tommy Wirkola is back in the sleigh for Violent Night 2, the sequel to its Christmas-themed action movie released in 2022, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

The studio on Wednesday dated the sequel for a Dec. 4, 2026 unwrapping.

David Harbour is back as the icepick-stabbing, skate-slashing Santa Claus, who in the first movie was a bitter drunk headed towards turning back on the holiday until a little girl shows him the light.

It’s unclear if his lucidity will remain intact for the second outing. Also unclear is if the new story will include Mrs. Claus, briefly mention in the first movie. Universal is eying a September start of production in Winnipeg.

Kelly McCormick and David Leitch of 87North are back as producers as are screenwriting team Pat Casey and Josh Miller.

Violent Night proved to be a solid hit, gifting the studio a $50 million domestic haul on a budget of around $20 million.

Update: That didn’t take long. I mentioned below that it wasn’t clear if Tommy Wirkola would return to direct Violent Night 2, but THR now reports that he’s officially signed on to helm the sequel. The production is considering a September start in Winnipeg.

— Original article follows —

Santa Claus is coming to town… to kick some ass. Universal has set a release date for Violent Night 2, with the Santa-centric action sequel slated to hit theaters on December 4, 2026.

David Harbour will once again play Santa Claus, but it’s not clear if director Tommy Wirkola will also return. Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are back as producers through their 87North Productions banner.

In true sequel fashion, Violent Night screenwriters Patrick Casey and Josh Miller teased late last year that the next installment will be bigger than the first. “The Violent Night movies are not as big budget as the Sonic movies,...

Santa’s back. And he’s not happy. Universal Pictures has announced that Violent Night 2 will be released in theaters on Wednesday, December 4, 2026.

From 87North, the powerhouse producers of Bullet Train, John Wick, The Fall Guy, Atomic Blonde, Nobody, and this summer’s Nobody 2, comes a new chapter in yuletide mayhem.

In 2022’s bare-knuckle holiday sensation, Violent Night, an embittered Santa (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee David Harbour), armed with lethal combat skills, took out a team of ruthless mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family. Now, it’s time for not-so-jolly Saint Nick to suit up again.

Violent Night 2 is produced by 87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch and will be released by Universal Pictures.

In the first film, when a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a...

Updated Violent Night 2 from 87North and Universal is coming, and it’s set for a Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2026 theatrical release.

The first Tommy Wirkola directed movie, written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, follows an embittered Santa played by Stranger Things‘ David Harbour, as he battles mercenaries who’ve taken a wealthy family hostage in their home. The original pic also starred John Leguizamo, Alex Hassell and Beverly D’Angelo. In the sequel, Santa suits up again. Wirkola is back to helm the Casey and Miller penned sequel.

87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are back as producers.

Violent Night from Uni bowed during the first weekend of December to $13.4M stateside and legged out to $50M in U.S./Canada and $76M worldwide off a $20M production.

The first weekend in December has always been home to a low budget genre or horror film. The AMC’s Beyonce concert film,...

Universal Pictures has set the sequel to the 87North holiday action film “Violent Night” for release on Dec. 4, 2026.

Released in December 2022, “Violent Night” starred David Harbour as a surly version of Santa Claus who, while making his annual rounds to deliver gifts, stumbles upon a house with a family held hostage by mercenaries and takes matters into his own hands to rescue them. The film grossed $76 million at the global box office against a $20 million budget.

Tommy Wirkola directed the film from a screenplay by “Sonic the Hedgehog” series writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller. Harbour will return for the sequel with 87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch producing, though details on the director, writer and plot remain under wraps.

Like its predecessor, “Violent Night 2” will take up an early December/post-Thanksgiving release slot that historically is a slow period for new releases outside of specialty titles. Studios...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Prime Video is ready with an entertainment-packed June this year. The upcoming month will see the much-anticipated streaming release of The Chosen: Last Supper, and also the release of Jensen Ackles‘s action thriller series Countdown. Just like every month, Prime Video is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the best 8 new movies and TV shows coming to Prime Video in June 2025.

The Accountant 2 (June 5) Credit – Amazon MGM Studios

The Accountant 2 is an action thriller film directed by Gavin O’Connor from a screenplay by Bill Dubuque. The 2025 sequel film follows Christian Wolff, aka The Accountant, as he gets embroiled in a sinister crime syndicate after Marybeth Medina asks for his help in solving Raymond King’s murder. Now, he must find a mysterious assassin and bring down...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This June, we are getting a ton of content from the much-anticipated conclusion of Squid Game and return of the beloved series The Bear on streaming, to the release of some of the most anticipated movies of this year, such as Brad Pitt‘s F1, and the much-awaited 28 Years Later. This upcoming month will see the release of many great movies, so we thought of compiling a list of all the best movies that are coming straight to streaming.

Presence (June 3) – Hulu Credit – Neon

Presence is a supernatural thriller drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by David Koepp. The 2024 film follows the Payne family as they move into a suburban home and discover that the house is haunted by a spirit. Presence stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mullholland, Julia Fox,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In terms of earnings, video games are the most significant source of entertainment worldwide, with millions and millions of fans. Which is a solid reason for Hollywood to think that if they make them into films, they will attract the same kind of audience and even though in the beginning it seemed like that they will never be able to make a good film based on video games but now it seems like they are getting the hang of things. We have compiled a list containing the names of the highest-grossing films based on video games, but just because they are in this and have earned a lot of money, doesn’t mean that all of them are good.

10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time ($336.4 Million) Credit – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time...

Stars: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Alyla Browne, James Wolk | Written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington | Directed by Jeff Fowler

The speedy blue hedgehog returns for a third instalment in Sega’s Sonic franchise, based on the popular video game series. This time around, the film is actually an improvement on the previous two movies, thanks to a couple of key factors, namely Jim Carrey pulling double duty and an inspired voice performance from Keanu Reeves.

As teased in the previous movie’s post-credits scene, the villain this time round is Shadow (Reeves), a red and black space hedgehog who closely resembles our spiny hero, and is out for revenge, following a traumatic event in his past. He’s aided in his revenge mission by 101-year-old Professor Gerald Robotnik...

Don't grab your popcorn quite yet, folks. Fresh off the success ofSplit Fiction, Hazelight Studios founder Josef Fares is riding high—but he’s not ready to declare a movie adaptation is imminent. Speaking to Variety at Gdc, Fares shared his excitement about the game's impact on the industry while pumping the brakes on Hollywood hype, as he addressed speculation that Split Fiction might follow in the footsteps of Hazelight’s 2021 hit It Takes Two, which has been in development as a film at Amazon since April 2022.

“You know what I say? I believe it when I see it. Sometimes there’s a lot of talks, but nothing happens. So we will see.”

But those comments won't stop fans from wondering what Split Fictionmight look like on the big screen. The game, which follows authors Mio and Zoe as they get sucked into their own wildly different stories—sci-fi and...

Every day there's a new rumour of a popular film from the '90s receiving a sequel. More often than not, it ends up being good gossip and nothing more. In the case of Ace Ventura 3, however, there seems to be some actual substance behind the story. In December 2019, a report broke that Ace Ventura 3 was in development. While the news did the rounds on the internet, it was only confirmed by the franchise's rights holder Morgan Creek in March of 2021. No director or cast members have been announced just yet, but Pat Casey and Josh Miller...

The ’90s Are Back—And Ace Ventura 3 Might Be the Perfect Comedy Revival Written by Sergio Pereira for Fortress of Solitude...

Hazelight Studios' new co-op video gameSplit Fiction is reportedly getting the Hollywood treatment, sparking a bidding war for the rights to the feature adaptation.

According to Variety, a feature adaptation of Hazelight Studios' Split Fiction is currently in the works, with media company Story Kitchen spearheading the efforts to assemble a creative team to get the film off the ground. Story Kitchen was also responsible for getting It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios' enormously successful 2021 video game, a feature adaptation currently being developed at Amazon. According to the outlet, Split Fiction is fielding plenty of offers from major Hollywood studios.

Similar to its hit game It Take Two, which won Game of the Year in 2021, Split Fiction is another co-op experience that follows "a pair of authors trapped in the worlds they wrote." The game has been met with tons of critical praise and has sold more than two million copies since its release.

Split Fiction has taken the gaming world by storm, and it's looking to replicate that success in Hollywood as a movie adaptation has already been announced just two weeks after the game was released. The video game is developed by Hazelight Studio, who have produced other successful couch co-op games like It Takes Two and A Way Out, and sold over 2 million units in its first week. Hype for the project couldn't be higher, as couples, friends, and siblings around the world are getting frustrated at each other while playing the game together, with discussions about Split Fiction and the renewed future of co-op gaming dominating social media.

Per Variety, the Split Fiction movie is currently being developed by Story Kitchen. The movie is in the earliest stages of development, as the company is currently assembling writers, the cast, and a director. Once the creative team has been assembled, the...

When Shrek 5 was first announced, the fan base went absolutely wild at the prospect of the beloved green ogre returning to our screens one more time. But when the first teaser for Shrek 5 was revealed, all of that optimism quickly shifted to horror. Shrek, Fiona, their daughter Felicia, Donkey, and Pinocchio have all been redesigned with "upgraded" animation, and fans have rallied against the new look, questioning why DreamWorks felt the need to alter the already beloved designs. And now Sonic the Hedgehog is joining the chorus on social media with a post targeting the newly redesigned Shrek.

One studio that knows a thing or two about fan backlash to character designs is Paramount, which altered the look of Sonic the Hedgehog's eponymous hero after fans fought against the initial "realistic" design, swapping it for something more video-game accurate. Now, with Shrek 5 on the chopping block,...

DreamWorks finally released the teaser for Shrek 5, and well, let’s just say that fans have some opinions, starting off with the new animation style. It has been fifteen years since the last Shrek film was released. It goes without saying that things have changed since then in terms of how the animation industry works. With new technology, movies don’t really have to look like what they used to decades ago.

Shrek 5 (2026) | Credits: DreamWorks Animation

Unfortunately, it looks like fans are not too happy with how the animation style has changed for Shrek 5 since Shrek Forever After (2010). Throwing it back to the time when people basically bullied Paramount into changing how Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) looked, fans are hoping DreamWorks will hear their pleas too.

Fans react to the new Shrek 5 teaser A still from Shrek 5‘s teaser | Credits: DreamWorks Animation

“Far, Far Away’s finest are coming.

Sonic the Hedgehog is racing onto Peacock. The 2020 movie, often considered the best video game adaptation of all time, will be added to the streaming service next month.

Beginning March 1, Peacock subscribers will be able to stream Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog, starring Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular blue hedgehog. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog is a new take on the beloved video game franchise, following the blue speedster as he teams up with a local sheriff (played by James Marsden) to stop the mad scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, who is brought to life by fan-favorite comedic actor Jim Carrey.

RelatedSonic the Hedgehog 3 Sets Streaming Premiere Date

After making bank at the box office, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is heading to streaming.

While video game adaptations very rarely succeed at the box office, Sonic the Hedgehog surprised both critics and movie-goers, setting the biggest opening...

It's finally here! Everyone's favorite blue speedster is racing onto streaming this week. With a whopping 85% on the Tomatometer and 95% on the Popcornmeter, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will soon be available to watch over and over again to your heart's desire. The sequel, starring Ben Schwartz as the beloved video game character, will be available to stream on Paramount+ on Feb. 18.

Although the franchise had a rough beginning, to say the least, the third installment in the franchise based on the classic Sega characters was a huge hit at the box office. Earning $420 million globally, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 broke the third-movie curse and became an overwhelming success. The trio, soon to add a fourth installment, might just be the best video game adaptation audiences have ever received.

The family-friendly action comedy was directed by Jeff Fowler, who also directed the two previous Sonic movies. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3,...

Paramount has announced when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will debut on its streaming service. Luckily for fans, they won't have to wait long to see the sequel in the comfort of their own homes.

Paramount has announced that the third installment in the beloved video game movie franchise will arrive on Paramount+ tomorrow, Feb. 18 in the United States and Canada. Released in December 2024,Sonic the Hedgehog 3 picks up shortly afterKnuckles' six-episode side quest and follows Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails on their most epic adventure yet.The team reunites to face a new, formidable foe, Shadow, a mysterious hedgehog with powers unlike anything they've ever seen. Together, team Sonic must secure an unexpected alliance if they hope to stop Shadow and save the planet they now call home.

Related'a Wonderful Way To Celebrate:' Sonic 3 Director Breaks Down Robotnik & Stone's Emotional Final Scene

Director Jeff Fowler wanted to expand on the film's family elements.

A video game film adaptation of It Takes Two with Dwayne Johnson appears to be stuck in limbo. The founder of the video game's studio recently gave a troubling update regarding the project.

Speaking with Eurogamer about It Takes Two: The Movie, Hazelight Studios founder Josef Fares revealed that there hasn't been much new information to share since the project was announced several years ago. "Hollywood, there's so much bullsh**," Fares said. "I think 90 percent of the meetings are actually bulls**t, and ten percent are what actually happens."

Related'It's Just Jack Black': Fans React to First Look at A Minecraft Movie's Live-Action Steve Action Figure

A first look at Jack Black's version of Steve from Minecraft in action figure form has been revealed.

It Takes Two was released for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S and Windows in March 2021, with a Nintendo Switch release following in 2022. The...

Today, Paramount+ announced that Paramount Pictures and Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the third feature film installment in the beloved, ever-expanding Sonic the Hedgehog Cinematic Universe, will be available to stream on Paramount+ starting February 18 in the U.S. and Canada.

Fans of the storied video game franchise can catch up on the events leading up to the threequel by checking out the first two films in the trilogy via the Paramount+ Sonic the Hedgehog collection, which also features a retro animated series following the mischievous blue hero and the record-breaking Paramount+ original event series Knuckles.

Following the third film’s release, the combined viewership of the first two films skyrocketed an impressive 185 percent. Paramount Pictures recently announced that the next installment, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, will hit theaters on March 19, 2027.

Upon its theatrical debut, the third installment raced to the top of the North American box office, followed...

Hollywood has a history of struggling with video game adaptations, and It Takes Two appears to be the latest project stuck in limbo. Hazelight Studios’ critically acclaimed co-op game was announced for a film adaptation three years ago, with Sonic the Hedgehog writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller set to write it.

It’ll be a shame if it never gets adapted. | Image Credit: Hazelight Studios

It’s 2025 now and we still haven’t heard of any progress. Even Josef Fares, the creator of the game doesn’t know what’s happening over in Hollywood to cause such a delay. Maybe it’s the same situation as what happened to Donnie Yen and Sleeping Dogs. We sure hope not.

Even the creator of It Takes Two doesn’t know what’s going on with the adaptation What happened to this project after the announcement? | Image Credit: Hazelight Studios

When It...

Sonic the Hedgehogstar Natasha Rothwell opens up about her hopes for another return to the franchise.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Rothwell was asked if she was looking forward to reprising her role as Rachel in the next Sonic the Hedgehog film, as well as what impression her experience on the past three entries in the series had left on her. "I hope so. I mean, Jeff Fowler, he's just so lovely. And Toby Asher and the gang, Tika, James, like I've been in all of them and so absolutely I'll come back," Rothwell responded. "What's so crazy about the third one, I flew to London to shoot my scenes for the third one and then went to Thailand. So I literally stopped and shot it and then kept going. So it's cool to look back because I'm just like, I barely remember being there because it was such a whirlwind of a trip.

When Mufasa: The Lion Kingopened in theaters on Dec. 20, 2024, the same weekend as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the Lion King sequel made a little over half of Sonic 3’s $62 million opening weekend. Disney’s Mufasa earned just $35 million over the Dec. 2024 holiday weekend. Now, per The Hollywood Reporter,Mufasa has taken the lead over Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in terms of its total box office take.

Domestically, the Barry Jenkins-directed Mufasa, starring Aaron Pierre, has earned $232.7 million and its global total is around $670 million as of Feb. 9. Mufasa could jump past the $700 million before its all said and done. The film had a $200 million-plus budget, prior to marketing costs. Mufasa, the weekend of Feb. 7 through Feb. 9, added another $3.9 million to its box office tally, landing the film in fourth place for the weekend.

Related10 Most Exciting Disney Movies Releasing in 2025, Ranked

Disney is gearing up for...

The day before Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opened in theaters, Paramount Pictures announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would debut in 2027. At the time, no specific release date was given, but following the third entry's impressive box office run and now being available on digital, the studio is planting a flag for a release date. Despite Sonic the Hedgehog 3 having done very well over the Christmas and New Year holidays, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is racing into the spring season.

Deadline reports that Paramount Pictures has set Sonic the Hedgehog 4 for a Mar. 19, 2027 release date. This puts it one week before Easter weekend, which was a similar release schedule that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 did, by opening one week before Easter in 2022. While 2027 feels like a long wait for fans, it is shorter than the two-and-a-half-year gap between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Currently,...

Before Sonic the Hedgehog 3 even lit up theaters, a fourth entry in the series was officially confirmed. Now a date has been locked in, so look for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 to premiere on March 19, 2027. The third film, which introduced Keanu Reeves as Shadow, opened in theaters on December 20, 2024, and is now available to rent or own digitally via video-on-demand services. The Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD physical releases will follow on April 15. Related: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie Sets Up Shadow Showdown in 2nd Trailer Sonic the Hedgehog 3 pulled in big numbers in theaters , surpassing the previous entries with $218 million domestically and $422 million globally.  The third entry was once again directed by Jeff Fowler, with Pat Casey and Josh Miller writing and a cast that includes Ben Schwartz (Sonic), James Marsden (Tom Wachowski), Jim Carrey (Dr. Robotnik), Tika Sumpter (Maddie Wachowski), Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Tails), Idris Elba...

The fourth movie in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is set to speed into theaters on March 19, 2027.

Paramount Pictures, which announced the news Tuesday, had long been eyeing a spring 2027 release for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, the latest installment in the film series that is based on the popular Sega video game.

The news comes just days after Sonic the Hedgehog 3 became the top-grossing title in the franchise, with more than $422 million in ticket sales at the global box office. That’s a great feat for the threequel, which added Keanu Reeves in the role of Shadow.

Not only that, Paramount revealed Tuesday that Sonic 3 has generated more than $180 million in global consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and purchases. Studios generally refrain from divulging home entertainment numbers.

In a separate milestone, the Sonic franchise has surpassed $1 billion in box office to date.

There’s no word yet...

The following contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is filled with a lot of action-packed thrills which fans of the popular video game franchise love. However, the third installment also includes an emotional final scene between Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his loyal assistant Agent Stone.

Speaking to Screen Rant, director Jeff Fowler explained the importance of the scene which features the voice acting talents of Jim Carrey and Lee Majdoub as Robotnik and Stone respectively. "I mean, honestly, what a wonderful way to celebrate Robotnik and Stone's relationship," he said. "It was like, the first two films, we've always explored family, but from Sonic's perspective, and what a great opportunity it would be to now do that from Robotnik's side of things. And what does that do to him? How does he change once he has family in his life? "

Related 'It's Crazy':...

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been widely hailed as the best instalment in the trilogy, though some newly revealed concept art hints at a movie that's arguably even grander in scale than the one fans watched in theaters last month.

There are lots of sequences showcased here that either weren't in the final cut or changed significantly. Why? It likely comes down to practical reasons like the movie's budget; however, by far the biggest talking point is what appears to be a glimpse at an alternate timeline with Eggman ruling over Earth alongside Metal Sonic.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scene, we were introduced to Amy Rose and chances are we'll get to visit a version of that twisted future in the already-confirmed fourth instalment. We're also not exactly shocked that Dr. Robotnik will likely live to fight another day after his apparent demise.

What's shown here may...

The writers of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 can finally introduce a character that they have wanted to include in every movie in the series. Pat Casey and Josh Miller have written every movie in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The recently released Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the highest-rated entry in the series yet. Reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 have been exceptional, and the film currently has a score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes (via Rotten Tomatoes). Following the success of Sonic 3, it has been confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is in development.

The story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, who are tasked with taking down Shadow, who awakens on Prison Island in Tokyo Bay, Japan at the beginning of the movie. Ivo and Gerald Robotnik both seemingly die at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which makes room for the series to introduce new characters.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is poised to become the most successful installment of the Sonic franchise, so it's no wonder that a fourth movie featuring the bright blue speedster and his equally colorful friends has already been greenlit by Paramount Pictures. Although few details have been revealed about the upcoming film, Jim Carrey — who plays Sonic's iconic arch-nemesis, Dr. Ivo Robotnik — may end up reprising his fan-favorite role, despite his hints at a well-deserved retirement from Hollywood sometime in the near future.

In fact, Carrey has already attempted to retire once before — following the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in 2022 — but ultimately chose to return for the third installment, stating that he was enchanted by the quality and excitement of the script. According to ComicBook, Carrey's conditions for appearing in the fourth Sonic movie seem to be along the same lines. "I’m open to the idea," he stated,...

Fans of David Harbour might be in for a treat as hints about ‘Violent Night 2’ begin to surface.

According to Cinema Blend, the writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller recently discussed the new directions the sequel might take.

While promoting their work on ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3,’ they couldn’t help but dive into details about the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2022 hit, ‘Violent Night.’

The writers shared that the sequel would maintain the spirit of the original but draw fresh inspiration from Westerns.

Josh Miller explained, “It’s not going to be a Western, but expect some story elements and themes typical of the genre.”

This suggests an intriguing blend of action and classic Western showdowns, wrapped in festive mayhem.

Adding to the excitement, Pat Casey promised more of what made the first movie a success: more violence paired with an ample dose of Christmas cheer.

The idea of...

Ever since Die Hard became a holiday season staple, there have been several movies that try to blend action and holiday genre. In recent years, David Harbour’s Violent Night has been able to do it seamlessly and successfully. The feature saw Harbour as Santa, who helps a young girl’s family escape their home intruders. The success of Pat Casey and Josh Miller-written feature ensured a sequel which is currently in the writing phase. In a recent interview with Cinema Blend, the writers teased Mrs. Claus is on the charts and their Western approach to the sequel.

Pat Casey and Josh Miller, the writers of the merry and jolly action thriller Violent Night, keep teasing us with details about the upcoming sequel to the film starring David Harbour as the Santa Claus we wish we could party all night long with. We know part 2 is coming, but the writers addressed the possibility of Santa having his other half present in whatever trouble he gets in. And it seems Harbour could be having a sort of reunion with someone from the fantasy horror show that shot him into stardom, Stranger Things.

Casey and Miller spoke to ComicBook about their most recent gig writing the box office hit Sonic the Hedgehog 3. And as exciting as their future looks in the videogame adaptation franchise, Casey and Miller are also committed to their other future projects. One of them is, of course, the confirmed-ish sequel to Violent Night.

While they...

Today, Jan. 5, 2025, marks a historical moment for not just the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise but for video game movies writ large. Thanks to the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the whole film franchise based on the Sega video game has now surpassed $1 billion in total box office receipts worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing video game movie franchise. Its profit per film, though, makes it more successful than two of the top three film franchises based on video games — the Resident Evil franchise and the Pokémon franchise.

Only the movies based on the Super Mario Bros. video games have grossed the most, thanks to the staggering success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Released in February 2020 and April 2022, respectively, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned a combined $725.2 million globally and generated $181 million in consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and purchases. Last April, the spinoff series Knuckles debuted on Paramount+,...

Christmas is described as the "most wonderful time of the year," as it brings people back to their families, where they get together and spread joy. The holiday has become one of the most profitable times of the year for many businesses, and big studios have been banking on Christmas-themed films for years.

There are many different options out there, with Hallmark, Netflix, and many others banking on countless cheesy rom-coms, and classics like 2003's Love Actually and 1990's Home Alone being on many people's watchlist tradition over the holiday. However, with 1988's Die Hard being quoted as a Christmas classic, the Christmas genre started adding more subgenres, including action, horror, and more. In 2022, David Harbour portrayed a different Santa Claus in Violent Night, and, with a sequel in the works, the writers teased during an interview with CinemaBlend that there will be "more violence, more Christmas spirit," but also the possibility of Mrs.

Paramount Pictures today announced that its Sonic the Hedgehog films, based on the Sega video game, have surpassed $1 billion in total box office receipts worldwide. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to draw audiences to theatres globally.

Recently, the studio announced that development is underway for a fourth installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog films.

Released in February 2020 and April 2022, respectively, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned a combined $725.2 million globally and generated $181 million in consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and purchases.

Last April, the spinoff series Knuckles debuted on Paramount+, earning over 11 million total global hours in its first 28 days of streaming, making it the #1 Kids & Family series ever in terms of hours on the platform.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released theatrically last month to an “A” CinemaScore and boasts a franchise-best Certified Fresh 86% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score (tying it for #1 as the best-reviewed video...

Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s Dr. Robotnik isn’t ruling out returning for the fourth movie in the franchise. Jim Carrey, who plays the villain Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather, Gerald, in the most recent Sonic film, per Comic Book via Cinema Today, said he may return for the fourth film, which was announced ahead of Sonic 3’s Dec. 20, 2024 premiere.

“I’m definitely open,” Carrey told Cinema Today. “I’m open to the idea, and generally, they come to me with the next idea and if I go, ‘That sounds fun,’ then I’ll do it. I don’t feel locked into anything in life, unless it’s something that interests me,” he said. “Certainly, I love this crew. I love this gang that makes these movies and I love the fans,” Carrey said.

The Ace Ventura star has appeared in all three of the Sonic movies thus far.

Violent Night 2 co-writer Josh Miller addresses the potential appearance of Mrs. Claus. The 2022 action comedy followed David Harbour as an embittered and discouraged Santa Claus, who stumbles upon the Lightstone family being held hostage on Christmas Eve. Praised by audiences and considered a relative commercial success, having generated $76 million worldwide, a sequel to the holiday film was announced in 2023. Details about Violent Night 2 remain scarce, but Miller and Pat Casey are working on the script, and ideas for incorporating Mrs. Claus and other elements have been swirling.

During a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Miller discussed the possibility of Mrs. Claus being played by Winona Ryder in Violent Night 2. He explained that Ryder's name had not come up, and chose to stay quiet about the potential inclusion of Santa's wife altogether. However, Miller did reveal some new information about the Violent Night sequel, noting that it...

Amid the continued success of its third installment, Paramount Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog feature franchise has zoomed past $1B at the worldwide box office. Based on the Sega video game, the first two pictures were released in February 2020 and April 2022, respectively, grossing a combined $725.2M globally. The threequel, which released domestically on December 20 and expanded overseas beginning December 25, has grossed over $312M to date, bringing the running franchise total to more than $1.037B.

Each of the films has been directed by Jeff Fowler. The first two movies generated $181M in consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and purchases. Last April, spinoff series Knuckles debuted on Paramount +, earning over 11M total global hours in its first 28 days of streaming, making it the No. 1 Kids & Family series ever in terms of hours on the platform.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 nabbed an “A” CinemaScore and has a franchise-best 86% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score,...

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was one of the last major tentpole releases of 2024. The movie, which debuted in theaters on December 20, is the third feature-length installment in the live-action multimedia franchise adapting the iconic video game franchise, which also includes the Paramount+ spinoff series Knuckles. The new movie was directed by Jeff Fowler, who has directed all three installments, and co-written by franchise stalwarts Pat Casey and Josh Miller alongside John Whittington, who joined the duo from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 onward.

The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast features a multitude of returning stars, including Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik (in addition to now doubling as his character's grandfather Professor Gerald Robotnik), James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, Natasha Rothwell as Rachel, and Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, joined by newcomers Krysten Ritter and Jorma Taccone. The voice cast...

After a widely successful theatrical run, the third Sonic the Hedgehog film now has a digital release date. Per Comic Book, Vudu posted to its Reddit account that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released on digital platforms on Jan. 21. To date, the movie, starring Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Keanu Reeves, and Ben Schwartz, has made over $210 million at the worldwide box office since its Dec. 20, 2024, release.

The digital release date has yet to be confirmed by Paramount, and it’s not known when the movie will join its two predecessors on the Paramount+ streaming platform. However, Paramount, in the past, has added its movies to Paramount+ about 30 days after they are released in theaters, so it’s possible that the movie could drop on the streamer on Jan. 21 as well. It’s also not known when Sonic 3 will be released on physical media, but a DVD as well as...

Jim Carrey's retirement put the pressure on the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 writers to create the best Robotnik story of the series. Carrey has technically been retired from acting for years, but he has continuously reprised his role as Ivo Robotnik in the Sonic movies. It is clear that Carrey loves acting in the Sonic films, since he agreed to star as two characters in the recently released Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Carrey plays Ivo Robotnik, the villain he's played for several movies, as well as Gerald Robotnik, Ivo's grandfather.

The story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, who get recruited by the Guardian Unit of Nations (Gun) to fight Shadow the Hedgehog. However, Shadow is too powerful for them, and they are eventually led back to Carrey's Ivo Robotnik. Meanwhile, Shadow reunites with Gerald Robotnik, who he's known since he first crash-landed on Earth.

With a box office total of more than $200 million worldwide after only two weeks in theaters, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been a major success that has already carried the franchise to new heights after receiving record scores from critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Paramount was so confident in the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 that a fourth installment in the Sonic franchise was confirmed to be in development around the same time as the film’s premiere. The Sonic movies have evolved and expanded through the addition of new characters like Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Shadow (Keanu Reeves), and during a recent interview with Cbr, scribes Josh Miller and Pat Casey teased that the evolution of the next Sonic film may take the team on an interstellar journey in addition to new characters joining the fold. Casey teased:...

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 expanded its ensemble and adapted more lore from the video games. The sequel is also packed with Easter eggs, including references to anime like Dragon Ball and Akira.

Dragon Ball continues to influence the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and the fan base knows this. Screenwriter Patt Casey admitted this also influenced the first Sonic movie's development. "It is true. The Chaos Emeralds and going supersonic, all these concepts were introduced to America in the Sonic games, but the Dragon Ball manga was already out in Japan," he told IGN. "So it's like Sonic was parodying Dragon Ball even at that time. But it's like we in America experienced it first in Sonic before Dragon Ball hit. So the influence has always been there. I mean, we talked about Dragon Ball in the writer's room on Sonic 1 even."

Related Sonic the Hedgehog Channels Big Shonen Energy in...