EntertainmentMoviesFamily MoviesSonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic 3 ending explained: who dies, what happens to Shadow, and your biggest questions answeredWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesFamily MoviesSonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic 3 ending explained: who dies, what happens to Shadow, and your biggest questions answeredWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Paramount)
Sonic 3has finally been released in theaters around the world, bringing the Blue Blur back to the big screen after a small screen detour in theKnuckles series.It’s a fast-paced, action-packed, dance-number-filled sequel that introduces a few new faces and seemingly kills some franchise stalwarts.
However, to say anything more would be revealing too much, so here’s your warning:the following contains major spoilers for the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ending. We’re going to be discussing everything that happens in the movie, including those two post-credit scenes. So, if you haven’t seen the latest instalment in the Sonic saga, click away now!
Sonic 3 ending explained
(Image credit: Paramount)
However, there’s an issue; the duo have to infilitrate G.U.N. headquarters in London to acquire the weapon’s key. While that may seem like an impossible mission, they have an ace up their sleeve: Shadow, the dark version of Sonic who was locked away for 50 years.
Back at G.U.N. headquarters, Team Sonic – the Blue Blur, Tails, Knuckles, and their adoptive parents Tom and Maddie – are trying to take the Eclipse Canon key for themselves, hoping to stop it from falling into the Robotniks' hands. After a gravity-defying fight, Shadow helps Gerald and Ivo defeat Team Sonic and they escape with the key – and in the heat of battle, Tom suffers an almost fatal wound, ending up in hospital.
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Sonic desperately wants to avenge Tom and realizes there’s only one way of defeating Shadow: using the Master Emerald. Knuckles warns Sonic against using the Emerald’s power while emotionally fragile, but Sonic, despite having promised to never abuse the Emerald’s power again, goes ahead and takes the object from its guardian: Wade Whipple, the deputy sheriff of Green Hills and former road-trip partner of Knuckles (as seen in the Knuckles series).
(Image credit: Paramount)
With the Master Emerald’s power flowing through him, Sonic goes full Super Saiyan and heads to the Eclipse Canon, which is now flying over Earth’s orbit as it prepares to fire down upon our planet. On board the ship though, Ivo and Gerald have a falling out; Ivo realizes that Gerald’s grief over Maria’s death has led to his grandfather wanting to destroy the entire world rather than merely rule it. Gerald – shock horror – then betrays Eggman.
Unfortunately, the revelation is a little too late as the Eclipse Canon fires upon Earth, but the pair of hedgehogs use their powers to intercept the beam. Luckily, Tails and Knuckles have not abandoned their teammate, and try to push the beam’s aim away from the Earth.
Aboard the Eclipse Canon, Ivo manages to beat his grandfather. The firing canon then begins to overheat and Eggman realizes there’s only one way to truly stop the beam from hitting Earth; to control the canon manually, which in turn means sacrificing himself to save the world.
Tails, Knuckles, and Eggman manage to then move the beam away from Earth, instead cutting out a huge chunk of the moon. Sonic falls back down to the ground, while Tails and Knuckles grab him before he crashes. Meanwhile, Shadow zooms off to move the Eclipse Canon further away from Earth so that its imminent explosion won’t hurt anyone. It goes boom, seemingly killing Shadow, and almost certainly killing Robotnik. The day is saved.
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles regroup with Maddie and a healing Tom, and decide to race each other. Roll credits. But wait! Apost-credits scenesees Sonic unsurprisingly winning the race but the others are no longer around. Instead, an army of robot Sonics attacks him, only for a pink-haired, hammer-wielding hedgehog to save the day (more on this later). Roll credits. But wait, again! In an end-credits scene, we witness Shadow seemingly alive and returning to Earth.
Who dies in Sonic 3?
(Image credit: Paramount)
There are a few deaths in Sonic 3, but the most pressing is Ivo Robotnik. Jim Carrey has been an absolute scene-stealer throughout these Sonic movies and were he to leave the franchise permanently, that would be a huge shame. Yet, it certainly seems that Robotnik, having been inside the exploding Eclipse Canon, is almost certainly dead – at least, more dead than at the end of Sonic 2.
There’s a chance that Shadow may have somehow rescued Robotnik, but considering the fact his character arc has pretty much been played out, those odds seem very slim.
Is Shadow alive?
(Image credit: Paramount)
While Shadow may seemingly sacrifice himself to protect the planet he was very recently wanting to destroy, the hedgehog is alive and well. In the second post-credits scene, which plays right after the final credits roll, we see Shadow returning to Earth.
Shadow is a key character in the games, having been the lead in his own instalment in the series, Shadow The Hedgehog, released on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It’s no stretch to imagine that the filmmakers may be setting up Shadow to have a spin-off series, similar to how Sonic 2’s villain Knuckles was given a series on Paramount Plus.
Indeed, while doing press for Sonic 3, Keanu Reeves (who voices Shadow) and Idris Elba (Knuckles)teasedthe idea of co-leading a new series, with Reeves suggesting the name ‘Knuckles and Shadow’. They also spoke positively about returning forSonic 4, which has just beenofficially announced.
Who is that pink-haired, hammer-wielding hedgehog?
(Image credit: SEga)
In the first post-credits scene, we’re introduced toAmy Rose, a pink hedgehog who loves using her Piko Piko Hammer to smash bad guys. She has appeared in various Sonic games, comics, and shows, and was first introduced in the Sonic manga before coming to the games in Sonic CD.
Back then, she was a pretty one-dimensional character, her primary characteristic being her infatuation with Sonic. Due to this, she was a somewhat controversial character within the Sonic fandom. Some complained that her fawning after Sonic was cliché and annoying, while others felt that she fell into the ‘Ms. Male Character’ trope, meaning that she was simply the male protagonist with stereotypical female features added. Yet, many fans also fought her corner, enjoying her hammer-smashing and cheerful ways, and finding the addition of a female character to the franchise refreshing.
The general perception of Amy has become increasingly positive in recent years. In the Sonic Boom TV series, she was given more nuance, harboring a crush on Sonic but not being an over-the-top fan girl, while also being a cool adventurer herself. These characteristics have continued over to the main Sonic games. That’s all to say that her appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 brings another big Sonic character to the big screen, and she will no doubt play a pivotal role in Sonic 4.
Is that a robot Sonic?
(Image credit: SEGA)
However, some fans will no doubt have an issue with Metal Sonic’s portrayal in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In the games, there’s only one Metal Sonic, while there are many robots in the movie. The reason for there being a group of Metal Sonics is not addressed in the post-credits scene, but will likely be explained in Sonic 4.
Whether a sequel will adapt this story remains to be seen, but there are certainly questions surrounding who created these Metallix and for what purpose.
What was that song playing as Sonic and Shadow fight?
During the final battle between Sonic and Shadow, a song that should be very familiar to Sonic fans can be heard. That’s Crush 40’s ‘Live and Learn’, the theme song from Sonic Adventure 2, which also happens to be the game that introduced us to Shadow. In Sonic 3, both Sonic and Shadow speed past each other and pose like the box art of the game.
Is there going to be a Sonic 4?
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Although not confirmed yet it’s very likely Amy, Metal Sonic, and Shadow will feature. There’s now just the question of whether Jim Carrey will sign on for one more go around…
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is out in US theaters now, before hitting UK shores on December 21.
For more, check out ourSonic the Hedgehog 3 reviewand our picks of thebest video game moviesof all time.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”