Paramount Pictures is gearing up for “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the studio expecting a spring 2027 release date for the latest installment in the family-friendly franchise.

The news comes as “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” hits theaters on Friday and is expected to top the box office with $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American theaters. The sequel is shaping up to be a nice Christmas hit for Paramount, hence the interest in further “Sonic” adventures. Internationally, the film will be shown in 52 markets at Christmas. Critics also liked the latest film, giving Sonic the Hedgehog 3 an impressive 87% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Combined, the first two films grossed $725.2 million worldwide and drove over $180 million in global consumer spending on home entertainment rentals and digital purchases. They also inspired a Paramount+ spin-off series, Knuckles, which debuted earlier this year. Sonic the Hedgehog is based on Sega’s popular video game franchise, which first appeared in 1991.

Jeff Fowler directed all three Sonic the Hedgehog films. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 stars Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, Sonic’s main adversary, and Ben Schwartz return as the titular speedster. Carrey does double duty in the third installment, also playing Ivo’s grandfather Gerald Robotnik. The cast includes James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey and Keanu Reeves, who plays Shadow the Hedgehog, another fan favorite from the video games.

Plot details for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 are being kept under wraps – you guessed it.