Sonic the Hedgehog is back in the streaming spotlight after landing at #8 on Pluto TV’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, with the franchise continuing to expand through sequels, a third film in the works, and a TV spin-off.
For a movie that once seemed doomed by a single decision in its trailers, Sonic the Hedgehog is finding new momentum where fans watch now.
The 2020 live-action adaptation of the SEGA video game has landed on Pluto TV’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, sitting at #8. On that same list, it appears between Transformers 1 and 2 (Revenge of the Fallen), putting the blue hedgehog right in the thick of heavyweight company.
The story Sonic carries into the streaming era is familiar to longtime fans and a fresh entry point for newcomers: Sonic is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog named Sonic (Ben Schwartz) who is sent to Earth to hide from an echidna tribe seeking his power. Ten years after living in secret, his power becomes the thing others want, and Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) enters the picture. It falls to Sonic, alongside his friends Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter), to save the day.
But the surprising part of this comeback isn’t only where people are streaming it—it’s how close the film came to joining the ranks of video game adaptations that didn’t quite survive Hollywood’s learning curve. The backlash started with a design choice in the trailers. When fans saw how Sonic would look on the big screen, it triggered a massive outcry. Studios responded by redesigning the character before the film’s release.
That course correction didn’t just “break the curse.” Sonic the Hedgehog went on to become one of the year’s highest-grossing films, spawning two sequels, with a third on the way. The franchise is also set to expand beyond movies, with a TV spin-off.
Its broader reception has helped fuel the renewed attention. Since its release, Sonic the Hedgehog became the 6th-highest-grossing film of 2020, landing between Tenet and Dolittle. Audience scores were strong, earning a 93% verified hot audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics gave it a 64% Tomatometer. The film picked up nominations too, including “Best Fantasy Film Release” at the Saturn Awards.
The momentum doesn’t stop at the current streaming moment. After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 3, it has been confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is in the works. The fourth film will introduce two more characters: Amy. voiced by Kristen Bell (The Good Place). and Metal Sonic. whose voice actor has yet to be revealed. Additional confirmed voice actors include Ben Kingsley (Wonder Man). Nick Offerman (The Last of Us). Matt Berry (A Minecraft Movie). and Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd). Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is scheduled to come out on March 19, 2027.
Sonic the Hedgehog is available to stream on Pluto TV and Paramount+.
Sonic the Hedgehog Pluto TV streaming comeback SEGA Ben Schwartz Jim Carrey James Marsden Tika Sumpter Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Kristen Bell Metal Sonic Ben Kingsley Nick Offerman Matt Berry Richard Ayoade
Pluto TV has Sonic now? I guess the internet decided it’s good again lol.
Wait Sonic is number 8 again? I thought everybody already watched it.
He was literally getting roasted in the trailers and now it’s top 10?? Hollywood is wild. Also Transformers 1 and 2 that close is kinda crazy.
I thought the redesign was because they changed the whole plot or something, not just how he looked. Like if it was #8 maybe that means people watched it for “the drama” not the movie. But I mean Ben Schwartz is in it so maybe that helped.
Honestly that redesign thing in the trailers was wild. Like they just changed him and suddenly it worked? Makes no sense but I’m glad.
So wait Sonic is #8 on Pluto TV like that’s a big deal? My cousin said Pluto TV is basically free cable so of course it ranks. Still, the part about the backlash in trailers… sounds like they fixed the costume and then suddenly it prints money, which is honestly how Hollywood works. Third film in the works too? At this point they’ll just keep making them forever.
I’m confused though, because I watched it on Netflix like forever ago (or maybe it was on Pluto? idk). If it’s between Transformers 1 and 2 then it’s basically competing with the big ones, right? Also Jim Carrey as Robotnik was kinda weird casting to me, but apparently it slaps.
The article says “Pluto TV Top 10 Movies” like that matters, but streaming rankings are always weird. Sonic was doomed because of the trailer design, but wasn’t it also because people hate video game movies?? I remember hearing something totally different, like the whole thing was canceled then brought back. Anyway I guess the power he hides from that echidna tribe is basically the plot of every game? I don’t know, but I’ll probably watch it again if it’s free.