Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the most anticipated blockbusters of 2022, but how much did the film cost to make and what will it take for the action-adventure sequel to be considered a success? From Paramount Pictures, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is of course a follow-up to the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog, which saw a CGI version of SEGA's iconic "blue blur" come to Earth and interact with human characters in live-action environments. It also treated audiences to an inimitable take on Sonic's nemesis Dr. Robotnik, as played by comedy legend Jim Carrey.

Fans of the first film have been eagerly awaiting Sonic the Hedgehog 2's release, but excitement for the ongoing series has not always been consistent. The original film was infamously delayed after backlash to the design team's first attempt at the titular character, costing the studio an additional $5 million and five months of work. Thankfully, the final release was a fun, breezy piece of popcorn entertainment for the whole family. The box office reflected that fact, with Sonic the Hedgehog earning over $300 million worldwide on a budget between $85-90 million.

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Roughly two years after the first movie's release, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is about to arrive in theaters introducing classic characters like Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna to the series. Advance reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 suggest a sequel as good if not a bit better than its predecessor. Based on prior goodwill, audiences might be tempted to assume that Sonic will spin dash into another box office hit, but it's important to remember that the first movie came out prior to the Coronavirus pandemic changing the world.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Budget Explained: How Much It Cost

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 poster cast

As is the case for most Hollywood blockbusters, official figures aren't available prior to release, but reports assert that Sonic the Hedgehog 2's production costs were around $110 million. That's a bit higher than the first film's budget, but not by a huge margin and could be attributed—at least in part—to more lucrative contracts following the success of the original, and the addition of new names like Idris Elba to the cast.

What Sonic The Hedgehog 2's Box Office Needs To Be For Success

Knuckles making a fist with a red background in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Poster

The general rule of thumb is that a movie needs to at least double its budget in theaters to break even financially. This is due to other costs like marketing and distribution. A number of factors have made that math hazier in recent times, including the rise of the international box office's importance. If Sonic the Hedgehog 2 matches or surpasses its predecessor's $319.7 million worldwide gross, that's more than enough to make it comfortably profitable, even with the sequel's larger budget. The big question is whether pandemic-addled audiences will turn out for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in the same numbers they did for the original.

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