The debut of Paramount+âs original event series KNUCKLES smashed numerous records over its premiere weekend, including setting a new global record as the most-watched Paramount+ original series of all time with more than 4M hours streamed over premiere weekend. In addition to its overall record, the series marks Paramount+âs most-watched kids-and-family title ever.
The series launch also had a halo effect on other Sonic the Hedgehog titles on the service, with viewership up more than 278 percent globally over the daily average.
âThe Sonic the Hedgehog fans came out in full-force,â said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. âWeâre so thrilled with the record-breaking performance of KNUCKLES and the incredible lift the whole Sonic universe has experienced following KNUCKLES’ premiere.â
KNUCKLES, a six-episode event series and the latest in the âCinematic World of Sonic the Hedgehogâ from Paramount Pictures and SEGA of America, follows Knuckles (Idris Elba) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade (Adam Pally) as his protĂ©gĂ© and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior. The series takes place between the films SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3.
In addition to Elba starring as the titular character, Adam Pally reprises as Wade Whipple his role from the film franchise. The ensemble cast includes guest stars Stockard Channing (The West Wing), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), Scott Mescudi (Donât Look Up), Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso), Julian Barratt (Mindhorn), Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Cary Elwes (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE â DEAD RECKONING), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Paul Scheer (Black Monday), and Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital). Special guest star Ben Schwartz reprises his role as Sonic, as well as special guest star Tika Sumpter, reprises her role as Maddie. Colleen OâShaughnessey also returned as a special guest star in her role as Tails.
All of the key creative team from the previous films have returned for the series, including the filmsâ director Jeff Fowler, who directed the pilot episode and helped transition the film’s signature cinematic animation style to television, as well as Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, Idris Elba, Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi and Toru Nakahara, who also served as executive producers. Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker.
The series was created for television by John Whittington and Toby Ascher, who ran the show during production. Whittington, who co-wrote SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2, served as head writer and wrote the pilot for the series. Additional series writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.
The combined global box office for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stands at $725.2 million. On Paramount+, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 is the top-performing kids-and-family film on the service in reach and is also one of the serviceâs most re-watched films. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 will be released in theaters on Dec 20th, 2024.
In addition to streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Latin America, Australia, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Japan, KNUCKLES will stream on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Paramount+ today revealed the official trailer for the upcoming original event series KNUCKLES, the latest in the âCinematic World of Sonic the Hedgehog,â from Paramount Pictures and SEGA of America. It was also announced that all six episodes of the series will be available to stream on Friday, April 26, exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada and the U.S.; the following day, April 27, in all additional Paramount+ territories; and in Japan later this year. New teaser art and first-look series photography are also now available.
In addition to todayâs official trailer, on Sunday, Feb. 11, an all-new KNUCKLES spot will debut during the CBS Television Networkâs Super Bowl LVIII pregame broadcast. The KNUCKLES Super Bowl spot will also be featured in Nickelodeonâs special kids and family broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII, where Knuckles and some friends will make a surprise appearance.
The new live-action event series follows Knuckles (Idris Elba) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade (Adam Pally) as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior. The series takes place between the films SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3.
In addition to Elba starring as the titular character, Adam Pally reprises his role from the film franchise as Wade Whipple. The ensemble cast includes guest stars Stockard Channing (The West Wing), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), Scott Mescudi (Donât Look Up), Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso), Julian Barratt (Mindhorn), Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Cary Elwes (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE â DEAD RECKONING), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Paul Scheer (Black Monday), and Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital). Special guest star Ben Schwartz will reprise his role as Sonic, as well as special guest star Tika Sumpter, reprising her role as Maddie. Colleen OâShaughnessey will also return as a special guest star in her role as Tails.
All of the key creative team from the previous films have returned for the series, including the filmsâ director/executive producer Jeff Fowler, who directed the pilot episode and helped transition the film’s signature cinematic animation style to television, as well as Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington and Toru Nakahara, who serve as executive producers along with Idris Elba. Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker.
The series was created for television by John Whittington and Toby Ascher, who is showrunning during production. Whittington, who wrote SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2, serves as head writer and wrote the pilot for the series. Additional series writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.
The combined global box office for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stands at $725.2 million. On Paramount+, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 is the top-performing Kids & Family film on the service in reach and is also one of the serviceâs most re-watched films. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 will be released in theaters on Dec 20th, 2024.
In addition to streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Latin America, Australia, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Japan, KNUCKLES will stream on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
For a third straight weekend Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS takes the #1 spot at the Box Office in North America, with $30 million from 4,534 theatres. Over three weekends it has grossed a stellar $340.5 million.
Second in its debut is DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA with $18 million from 3,820 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. It gets 85% on the Tomatometer. Its Predecessor film opened in 2019 with $31 million.
Third is THE BAD GUYS which has been quite resilient in the Top Five, with $5.7 million from 3,705 theatres for Univerrsal Pictures. Over dive weekends, it has grossed a total $73.9 million.
Fourth spot goes to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $3.9 million, a total $181 million over seven weekends for Paramount Pictures.
In fifth is MEN from Director Alex Garland, bringing-in $3.3 million in its opening weekend for A24/VVS Films. It gets 76% on the Tomatometer.
Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS reigns a second straight week, taking $75 million from 4,534 theatres for Disney, bringing its total to $230.4 million in North America.
THE BAD GUYS lands in second with $7.4 million for Universal Pictures, taking its tally to $66.7 million.
Debuting in third goes to the remake of Stephen King‘s FIRESTARTER, with $5.3 million from 3,412 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Horror partly-filmed in Toronto starring Zac Efron, also arrives on streaming service Peacock. It gets 13% on the Tomatometer.
Fourth is SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $4.9 million, for a total $176 million in its domestic run for Paramount Pictures.
At the bottom of the Top Five is EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE with $3.3 million, a total $47 million grossed thus far for A24/Elevation Pictures.
A huge opening for Marvel‘s DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS debuting with $200 million from 4,534 theatres for Disney, easily besting its 2017 predecessor’s $85 million opening. It gets 76% on the Tomatometer.
Second spot goes to THE BAD GUYS with $11.1 million from 3,838 theatres, a three-week tally of $58.9 million for Universal Pictures.
In third is SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $7 million from 3,358 theatres for Paramount Pictures. This brings its total to $171 million in its fifth weekend.
Fourth is FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE with $4 million from 3,051 theatres for Warner Bros. Its total domestic run now is at $86 million.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE rounds-out our Top Five with $3 million from 2,000 theatres for A24/Elevation Pictures, a total $40.9 million in its seventh weekend.
THE BAD GUYS hangs-onto to top spot a second straight week taking $14.4 million from 4,042 theatres for Universal Pictures. In its second weekend it has grossed a total $42.7 million.
In second is SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $9.7 million from 3,801 theatres for Paramount Pictures, a fantastic four week run at $159 million domestically.
Third goes to FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE with $7.5 million from 3,962 theatres for Warner Bros. It edges oh-so-close to $80 million in its third weekend out!
THE NORTHMAN is up in fourth with $6 million from 3,234 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures, a total $22.4 million over two weeks.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is in fifth with $5.3 million, a total $35.2 million over six weeks for A24/Elevation Pictures.
THE BAD GUYS takes top spot at the Box Office this weekend with $25 million from 4,000 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Animated Feature featuring the voices of Toronto’s Lilly Singh, Alex Borstein, Sam Rockwell, Anthony Ramons, Awkwafina and Zazie Beetz gets 85% on the Tomatometer.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 lands in second with $15.2 million from 3,809 theatres for Paramount Pictures, bringing it to $145.8 million in its third weekend out.
Third goes to FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE with $13.5 million after debuting at #1 last weekend. In its second weekend, it earns a total $66.6 million for Warner Bros.
THE NORTHMAN debuts in fourth with $12.5 million from 3,234 theatres for Focus Features. This latest from Robert Eggers gets 89% on the Tomatometer.
Rounding things out is THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT with $7.8 million from 3,036 theatres for Mongrel Media/Lionsgate. It also gets 89% on the Tomatometer.
FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE debuts atop the Box Office Easter weekend with $44.5 million from 4,208 theatres for Warner Bros. Best opening for the Franchise still goes to 2016’s FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, debuting with $74.4 million. The latest installment gets 49% on the Tomatometer.
Second goes to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $26.5 million from 4,258 theatres, taking to $116 million in just its second weekend for Paramount Pictures.
In third is THE LOST CITY with $5.8 million from 3,430 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Its domestic run is now at $77 million.
Fourth belongs to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE which based on fantastic reviews, brings in $5.1 million for A24/Elevation Pictures from 2,220 theatres. It gets 97% on the Tomatometer for directing duo Daniels.
FATHER STU starring Mark Wahlberg opens with $4.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 2,705 theatres. It gets 41% on the Tomatometer.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 races its way to #1 in a stellar opening, making $69 million from 4,234 theatres for Paramount Pictures! This bests the $58 million its predecessor made in 2020. It garners 68% on the Tomatometer.
Second belongs to last week’s #1 movie MORBIUS, which earns $10 million for Sony Pictures, a two week total of $56.8 million.
THE LOST CITY lands in third with $9.7 million from 3,797Â theatres for Paramount Pictures, a tally of $68.9 million to date.
Michael Bay‘s AMBULANCE debuts in fourth with $8.1 million from 3,412 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets 69% on the Tomatometer.
THE BATMAN is at the bottom of the Top Five with $6.6 million for Warner Bros., a six week total $358 million.
Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Family Passes for four to see SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2!
Screenings will take place as follows:
Toronto – April 2, 2022 (Saturday) – 10:30AM – Yorkdale Theatre
Vancouver – April 2, 2022 (Saturday) – 10:30AM – Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis
Montreal ENG – April 2, 2022 (Saturday) – 10:30AM – Cineplex Cinemas Forum
Montreal FRE – April 2, 2022 (Saturday) – 10:30AM – Cineplex StarCitĂ©
Calgary – April 2, 2022 (Saturday) – 10:30AM – Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
Synopsis:
The worldâs favorite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. From the filmmakers behind The Fast and the Furious and Deadpool, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles and Colleen OâShaughnessey as the voice of Tails.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Please indicate your City in the comments there. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!
Enter for a chance to #win Family Pass for four to see #SonicTheHedgehog!https://t.co/ntsgMVAJj7 pic.twitter.com/IFCsgVHGwG
â MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 28, 2022
Rules and regulations here.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 IS ONLY IN THEATRES APRIL 8, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)
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