Sonic is the ultimate hero and the undefeated underdog. He single-handedly saved SEGA in the '90s, and when the first trailer for his live-action 2020 film debuted, it became the center of jokes and memes thanks to Sonic’s terrifyingly real animation. But after the movie received tons of praise from audiences and grossed more than $319 million at the box office, one thing became clear: Sonic is no joke. Check out our guide to find out where you can watch every movie and show in the Sonic Cinematic Universe in order. We'll also show you if there are options to watch Sonic movies legally for free in the United States.
What is the Sonic Cinematic Universe?
A lot of fans are probably wondering what exactly the “Sonic cinematic universe” is. It’s all the films, shows, and shorts that take place in the new live-action era of Sonic. Believe it or not, Sonic has actually had quite a few shows throughout his three decades – like Sonic the Hedgehog (1993), Sonic Underground (1999), and Sonic X (2003). So it’s important to differentiate that the new franchise doesn’t include those older entries.
So, where does the Sonic Cinematic Universe start? That would be with 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, where Sonic uses a golden ring to transport himself to Earth. But once Dr. Robotnik discovers his location, Sonic is forced to escape with the help of his new friend (played excellently by James Marsden).
Thanks to the movie’s success, it was followed by Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in 2022. This time around, Dr. Robotnik is back for revenge and audiences get to see more iconic Sonic characters brought to life like Knuckles and Tails. The mid-credits scene also introduces the villainous Shadow, who is going to play a large role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 later in 2024…and be voiced by none other than Keanu Reeves.
There’s also the spin-off series Knuckles, which premiered in April 2024. The show centers around Knuckles, who helps the dimwitted town sheriff by teaching him the ways of the echidna warriors. The show features a fantastic cast that includes Hollywood veterans like Christopher Lloyd and Stockard Channing, as well as both Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz reprising their roles from the film series. In the franchise’s timeline, Knuckles fills the gap between Sonic 2 and Sonic 3.
There’s also a non-canonical short film Sonic Drone Home which is technically part of the new Sonic Cinematic Universe as well. The short was released as part of the special features on the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Blu-Ray and follows Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they encounter a (somewhat evil) scrapyard robot who loves poetry. Luckily, the short has been uploaded to YouTube for anyone who wants to watch it.
How can I watch the Sonic Cinematic Universe online?
You can find out where to watch every entry in the Sonic Cinematic Universe using our guide below. This includes every official entry into the live action Sonic movie series in release order, and every streaming option currently available to viewers in the United States.
