Fifth Sonic Movie Confirmed: Paramount's "Sonic Universe" Movie Hints at a Massive Spin-Off

Paramount has dated a mysterious fifth Sonic the Hedgehog “Sonic Universe” movie for December 2028. Here’s what we know so far, plus what it could mean for UAE fans.

Paramount is planning a fifth Sonic movie spin-off

Paramount is not slowing down with Sonic. After locking in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 for March 2027, the studio has now quietly dated a mysterious fifth Sonic movie for 22 December 2028, labelled only as a “Sonic Universe feature”. No title, no cast, no plot – just a hint that this one sits around the main films rather than being Sonic 5 in a straight line.

It’s a clear sign that Sonic has gone from nostalgic video game mascot to full-blown movie franchise, with spin-offs, side stories and long-term planning that looks a lot like a cinematic universe. For fans in the UAE, that likely means another big holiday cinema release, more Sonic on streaming later, and a lot of time in between for new games, shows and merch to keep the blue blur in rotation.

Paramount has dated a fifth Sonic the Hedgehog movie for December 22, 2028, labelled as a "Sonic Universe feature"
It's separate from Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which is set for March 19, 2027
The first three Sonic films together have crossed, $1 billion, which Sonic 3 alone passing that mark at the global box office

Paramount’s new Sonic ‘Universe’ movie, explained

Paramount has quietly pencilled in a fifth Sonic the Hedgehog movie for 22 December 2028, listed only as a “Sonic Universe feature” – which strongly hints at a spin-off rather than a numbered sequel.

Release date: 22 December 2028
Labelled as: “Sonic Universe feature”
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Position: fifth Sonic movie in the current film run

Right now, that “Sonic Universe” tag is doing all the heavy lifting. There’s no title, no cast list, and no confirmed characters. The wording makes it sound like a story set in the same world as the main films, but not necessarily focused on Sonic himself. Think along the lines of a Knuckles-style side story, but on the big screen instead of streaming. Until Paramount spells it out, though, this is just educated guesswork based on the name.

How it fits into the Sonic movie timeline

We already knew a fourth Sonic film was on the way. Paramount has dated Sonic the Hedgehog 4 for 19 March 2027, around 18 months before this new spin-off.

Sonic the Hedgehog (1): released Feb 2020
Sonic the Hedgehog 2: released April 2022
Sonic the Hedgehog 3: released December 2024, passed $1 billion global box office
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: due 19 March 2027
“Sonic Universe feature”: due 22 December 2028

So by the time this “Sonic Universe” film lands, the live-action/CG Sonic series will have been running in cinemas for almost a decade. That’s Marvel-style stamina for a video game adaptation. Slotting the spin-off after Sonic 4 also gives the main series time to introduce new characters or plot beats that could naturally feed into a side story. If Paramount wants a proper Sonic cinematic universe, this is the cleanest way to build it.

Sonic is now a serious box office and merch machine

The reason all this is happening is simple: Sonic makes money. A lot of it.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020): $319.7m global box office
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022): $319m global box office
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024): over $1 billion worldwide
Sonic IP retail sales: nearly $1 billion per year from toys, clothing and other merch, according to Sega

Those numbers explain why Paramount is happy to greenlight not just a fourth movie, but a spin-off on top. Sonic is no longer “just” a nostalgia play for people who grew up with a Mega Drive. Between the films, games, and mobile spin-offs like Sonic Rumble, Sega has turned the blue hedgehog into a multi-platform brand that’s hard to avoid – in cinemas, on consoles, and in toy aisles.

Who’s making these films – and who might be back?

So far, the Sonic film series has kept things consistent behind the camera and in front of it.

Director: all three films so far have been directed by Jeff Fowler
Sonic: voiced by Ben Schwartz
Dr Robotnik: played by Jim Carrey
Carrey has said he’s open to returning for more Sonic films

Paramount hasn’t confirmed any talent for Sonic 4 or the “Sonic Universe” movie yet. But given how well the current setup has worked, it would be more surprising to see a full reset than to see Fowler and the existing cast come back.

On the studio side, Paramount is clearly leaning into game adaptations in general – it’s also working on a Call of Duty film with Activision. Sonic is basically the template: slap a huge game brand on a film, keep it family-friendly, and build out spin-offs once the audience bites.

What is the new "Sonic Universe" movie Paramount is planning?

Paramount has listed a new Sonic film for 22 December 2028, described only as a “Sonic Universe feature”. That wording suggests a spin-off set in the same world as the main Sonic films, but the studio hasn’t confirmed plot, title, or characters yet.

Is this Sonic the Hedgehog 5?

Not exactly. On paper, this is a fifth Sonic movie, but it isn’t billed as Sonic the Hedgehog 5. Instead, Sonic 4 is set for 19 March 2027, with this “Sonic Universe” film arriving later as what looks like a separate, spin-off style project.

Will Jim Carrey return as Dr Robotnik?

There’s no official casting news yet for Sonic 4 or the 2028 spin-off. However, Jim Carrey has said he’s open to potentially returning as Dr Robotnik, which at least keeps the door open for more moustache-twirling chaos.