Sonic the Hedgehog poised to collect $40 million in rings opening weekend

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

After pushing the movie back three months to address major concerns regarding the iconic character's overall look, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is finally lacing up his Power Sneakers and is ready to race into theaters on February 14th.

In looking at theatrical release charts, Sega's Blue Bomber won't have much competition during its President's Day weekend opening, as the other films that are set to be released are not exactly family-friendly. To begin, you have DOWNHILL shushing its way into theaters, which stars Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a couple on the rocks after a near death experience at a ski resort makes them question their commitment to one another. Also set to be released that holiday weekend is Blumhouse and director Jeff Wadlow's horror-tinged remake of FANTASY ISLAND, starring Maggie Q, Michael Pena, and Lucy Hale. Yeah, that's not exactly the type of film that parents will want to take their young ones to, so I think it's fair to say that Sonic's box office take won't be threatened by that one. Other films set for a Valentine's Day release are director Stella Maghie's THE PHOTOGRAPH, starring Issa Raw, LaKeith Stanfield, and Chelsea Peretti, as well as ORDINARY LOVE, a romantic drama starring Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville about a middle-aged couple in the midst of the wife's breast cancer diagnosis. Again, not something designed for the kiddos.

According to analysts, SONICE THE HEDGEHOG is poised to open in the $40 million range over President's Day weekend, early tracking shows. That's a more than admirable take, especially since I'm not aware of too many people that are marking their calendars for the character's big screen debut. Here's the thing though, what in the hell do I know? I might have been there Sonic's video game debut, but I've hardly kept my finger on the pulse of his popularity throughout the generations. From what I understand, Sonic is still incredibly popular with young ones, thanks largely to his ever-increasing line of video game appearances, television series, and consistently sold out comic book adaptations. Actually, perhaps I know more about Sonic than I give myself credit for. All things considered, I've a feeling that SONIC THE HEDGEHOG will fair just fine at the box office, though I'd be surprised if the film sets the world on fire like last year's POKEMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU.

Directed by Jeff Fowler, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG stars Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally, and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. In the film, Sonic tries to navigate the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound best friend – a human named Tom Wachowski. Once they become fast friends, the duo must join forces to prevent the evil Dr. Robotnik from capturing Sonic and using his powers for world domination.

Will you be checking out SONIC THE HEDGEHOG when it races into theaters on February 14th? If I'm being completely honest, I would watch this movie in a heartbeat, and that's not just my morbid curiosity speaking. From what I've seen, Carrey looks to be having a ball while playing Dr. Robotnik, and the new design for Sonic is so on point that it makes you wonder what possessed Paramount to think that the characer's initial look was going to be a crowd-pleaser. Whatever happens, I'm excited for kids to see Sonic take part in a film where he's more than just a walk-on character. Let's go!