It looks like it’s game over for everyone else.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has shattered a record previously held by its predecessor, making $71 million in its opening weekend at the box office and earning the title of the biggest opening for a movie based on a video game ever, per Collider. The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie made $58 million back in 2020 during its first weekend in theaters.
To help its cause, the second film—which was also directed by Jeff Fowler—brought in a new franchise face with Idris Elba as Knuckles, while Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, and Jim Carrey all reprised their roles.
The film is also Carrey’s biggest domestic opener, overtaking the $68 million made by 2003’s Bruce Almighty, per Deadline.
“Sonic 2‘s record opening is a victory for Paramount and for the industry at large,” said Paramount Theatrical Distribution Boss Chris Aronson. “The filmmakers did an amazing job of crafting a film that is both in service of Sonic’s legions of fans as well as the general and family audience. Growing a franchise is no small feat and having an opening +22% over the first film is a remarkable achievement. Kudos to the filmmakers and to the marketing and distributions teams at Paramount for doing a fantastic job in bringing the film into the global marketplace!”
Meanwhile, Michael Bay’s Ambulance fell short of expectations by finishing fourth with just $8.7 million.
Admittedly, it’s hard to catch up to Sonic.
