Sonic the Hedgehog 2

After settling into a quiet life in Green Hills, Sonic wants to show he can be more than a fast friend, he wants to be a hero. When Dr. Robotnik pops back up with a fierce new ally, Knuckles, they hunt an ancient emerald with destructive potential. Sonic teams up with Tails, a bright young fox who believes in him, and together they rush across the globe to stop the villains from grabbing the emerald first. Along the way Sonic leans on his human pals Tom and Maddie, faces tests he didn't expect, and learns what being part of a team really takes, without giving away how it all ends.

Directed by Jeff Fowler and released in 2022, the movie adapts Sega's long running Sonic the Hedgehog games. The screenplay credits Patrick Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, and the cast includes Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Idris Elba.

The film performed strongly at the box office, helping secure Sonic as an ongoing live action franchise. Its commercial success encouraged studios to pursue further sequels and related projects, reinforcing the character's viability beyond video games.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 boosted mainstream interest in the franchise, bringing characters like Tails and Knuckles into wider pop culture conversation. Memes, fan art, and new merchandise circulated after release, and the movie's blend of classic game elements with live action kept longtime fans engaged while introducing younger viewers to iconic designs.

Critics and audiences reacted positively overall, reflected in a vote average of 7.443/10 from 5,734 votes. Reviewers highlighted the chemistry between the leads, the humor aimed at families, and the set pieces that lean into fast paced action. The film centers on themes of friendship, responsibility, and identity, and it leans into lighthearted comedy while offering moments that matter to the characters.