Forget 'Resident Evil,' 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Is Still the King of Video Game Movies

Published Oct 10, 2026, 7:47 AM EDT Jeffrey is a freelance features writer at Collider. He is an MPA-accredited entertainment journalist and a Tomatometer-approved critic based in the LA area. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio, TV, & Film and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil movie is a global smash hit. It's not only the best-reviewed Resident Evil movie of all time, but also the highest-grossing installment ever, as it's climbing to $300 million globally. Some might argue that it is the best video game movie adaptation ever made, but that crown still undoubtedly belongs to Sega and Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Cregger did a good job with Resident Evil, crafting a survival-horror video game-inspired experience. However, his movie lacks many of the characters, hallmarks, and iconography of the Resident Evil game series. For these reasons and more, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 still surpasses Resident Evil as the unparalleled king of video game movie adaptations. 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Puts the Iconic Characters of the Franchise on Full Display Image via Paramount Pictures Cregger took a decidedly different route with Resident Evil than some of his predecessors. The new movie features entirely original characters, including many of the monsters and creatures, with few from the games appearing in the story. None of the creatures truly resemble the T-virus-infected monsters from the Raccoon City outbreak of Resident Evil 1-3. Plus, the movie never mentions the T-Virus and G-Virus. In contrast, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 delivers a fantastic story while also featuring many of the video game series' most iconic characters. Sonic 3 initially introduces Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) as a tragic antagonist to Team Sonic, before he becomes an unlikely ally in saving the world from the machinations of Dr. Gerald Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Ever since the Sonic franchise's first outing, the movies have excelled in their depictions of the anthropomorphic animal heroes, and they’ve gotten progressively better with each installment. Sonic 3's story features the antihero Shadow, who serves as the perfect mirror to Sonic (Ben Schwartz), testing Sonic's resolve and what it truly means to be a hero. Sonic 3 stands out in faithfully adapting the iconic heroes and villains from the video games and bringing them to life in a compelling story. 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3's Story Masterfully Adapts Some of the Best Games in the Franchise Cregger previously told IGN that the new Resident Evil movie is set alongside Resident Evil 2, shortly after the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City. Cregger's comments suggested that he wanted to set his movie within the original video game series' timeline. However, his movie is clearly set in the modern day, in the dead of winter, while the T-virus outbreak in the Resident Evil game universe takes place in September 1998. Ultimately, Cregger's claims that his new movie is set within the game universe, unfolding parallel to the original games’ stories, never ring true. It's an area where Sonic Hedgehog 3 greatly differs. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 directly adapts the games, rather than purports to be in the same continuity. The Sonic movie universe presents a narrative timeline independent of the video games. In Sonic 3, director Jeff Fowler and writers Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington nicely craft a cinematic experience that utilizes elements from some of the best games in the series, including Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog. The threequel exceptionally brings an alternative version of the game's storyline to life, wonderfully depicting Shadow’s tragic backstory and friendship with Maria (Alyla Browne). Sonic the Hedgehog 3 took the series to a higher level by highlighting Shadow's bittersweet emotional arc. The franchise was firing on all cylinders in Sonic 3, preserving the integrity of the video games' best characters and story, as well as presenting an emotionally compelling cinematic experience. 'Sonic 3' Weaves the Love for the Games Into the Fabric of the Story Image via Paramount Sonic the Hedgehog 3 encapsulates how well the franchise's creative team integrates multiple elements and concepts from the Sonic game series. They are not mere Easter eggs and are woven into the fabric of the story. For example, in a scene in Sonic 3, after their first battle with Shadow, Sonic, Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) hide out in a restaurant called the Chao Garden, filled with people dressed as Chaos from the game. It's a fun reference and nod to the Chaos from the video games, figuring out a narratively organic and amusing way to have them appear. Additionally, memorable lines and moments from the games are incorporated into Sonic 3, such as Sonic's jumping out of the chopper over London. These moments never feel forced or out of place in the story. Elsewhere during the movie, "Live and Learn," a famous song from the original Sonic Adventure 2, appears during the climax as an epic, well-placed needle drop. These elements show that the people making Sonic 3 understand integrating these crucial attributes as more than just doing homework to placate moviegoers who love the games; they are huge fans themselves. Other than the Raccoon City setting, the use of the Umbrella Corporation, and some token Easter eggs and references, there's little that genuinely makes Cregger's Resident Evil movie feel like an authentic adaptation of the video game series. However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 expertly weaves the homages into the narrative, enhancing the experience. Few video game adaptations achieve Sonic the Hedgehog 3's impressive balancing act. Resident Evil works fine as a stand-alone cinematic survival-horror experience, but there's little that ties it to the true Resident Evil experience, taking more cues from Paul W.S. Anderson's first movie from 2002. True, Cregger's Resident Evil stands out as the best live-action Resident Evil movie ever, but that's a very low bar to clear. Sonic 3 still incorporates elements and characters from the game, while telling a unique story, staking its place at the top of video game movie history. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Release Date December 20, 2024 Runtime 110 minutes Cast Dr. Robotnik / Gerald Robotnik