Audiences showed love toSonic the HedgehogoverPresidents Dayweekend — and the iconic video game mascot has a new record to prove it!As domestic box office reports poured in after the holiday weekend,Soniczoomed past industry projections to rake in an estimated $58 million, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. With Monday’s Presidents Day ticket sales included, the family film’s total haul comes to $70 million.Sonic, with its three-day earnings, now holds the title of highest opening weekend for a big-screen adaptation of a video game property.Based on the popular Sega gaming franchise, the movie just edges out 2019’sPokémon Detective Pikachu‘s opening bow of $54 million, according toVariety.The speedy blue hedgehog’s theatrical performance is ahead of other top video game movie opening weekends like 2016’s The Angry Birds Movie ($38 million) and 2001’sLara Croft: Tomb Raider($47 million),IGNreported.Success at the box office is especially good news forSonic the Hedgehogafter it bounced back from internet ridicule for its initial character animation for its titular hero.When Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for the film — which starsJim CarreyandJames Marsden—fans were disapprovingof Sonic’s humanoid design, not reminiscent of his look in the video game source material.Originally intended for a Nov. 8, 2019, release date, the film wasdelayed three monthsin order to get the visual effects “just right,” director Jeff Fowler tweeted at the time. Sonic was soonredesignedin a move that now paid off for the studio.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest storiesJim Carrey.Paramount PicturesThis is the first feature film from Fowler, who was nominated for anOscarin 2005 for his animated short filmGopher Broke. On Tuesday, the director shared his joy in the film’s success, thanking fans for “sticking with” it.“There’s one word in my head this morning and it’s GRATITUDE,” hewrote. “THANK YOU to all the amazing people that helped make the #SonicMovie and most importantly thank you to the FANS for sticking with us and delivering an extraordinary RECORD-BREAKING weekend. Much ??? to all of you!!!”Parks and RecreationstarBen Schwartz, who voices Sonic in the movie, echoed appreciation for the fans,tweeting: “It’s all because of the fans that we are here. Thanks for your feedback, your passion & for your love of Sonic. You did this. Thank you!”Sonic the Hedgehogis now playing in theaters nationwide.
Audiences showed love toSonic the HedgehogoverPresidents Dayweekend — and the iconic video game mascot has a new record to prove it!
As domestic box office reports poured in after the holiday weekend,Soniczoomed past industry projections to rake in an estimated $58 million, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. With Monday’s Presidents Day ticket sales included, the family film’s total haul comes to $70 million.
Sonic, with its three-day earnings, now holds the title of highest opening weekend for a big-screen adaptation of a video game property.
Based on the popular Sega gaming franchise, the movie just edges out 2019’sPokémon Detective Pikachu‘s opening bow of $54 million, according toVariety.
The speedy blue hedgehog’s theatrical performance is ahead of other top video game movie opening weekends like 2016’s The Angry Birds Movie ($38 million) and 2001’sLara Croft: Tomb Raider($47 million),IGNreported.
Success at the box office is especially good news forSonic the Hedgehogafter it bounced back from internet ridicule for its initial character animation for its titular hero.
When Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for the film — which starsJim CarreyandJames Marsden—fans were disapprovingof Sonic’s humanoid design, not reminiscent of his look in the video game source material.
Originally intended for a Nov. 8, 2019, release date, the film wasdelayed three monthsin order to get the visual effects “just right,” director Jeff Fowler tweeted at the time. Sonic was soonredesignedin a move that now paid off for the studio.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Jim Carrey.Paramount Pictures
This is the first feature film from Fowler, who was nominated for anOscarin 2005 for his animated short filmGopher Broke. On Tuesday, the director shared his joy in the film’s success, thanking fans for “sticking with” it.
“There’s one word in my head this morning and it’s GRATITUDE,” hewrote. “THANK YOU to all the amazing people that helped make the #SonicMovie and most importantly thank you to the FANS for sticking with us and delivering an extraordinary RECORD-BREAKING weekend. Much ??? to all of you!!!”
Parks and RecreationstarBen Schwartz, who voices Sonic in the movie, echoed appreciation for the fans,tweeting: “It’s all because of the fans that we are here. Thanks for your feedback, your passion & for your love of Sonic. You did this. Thank you!”
Sonic the Hedgehogis now playing in theaters nationwide.
source: people.com
