Warning: contains SPOILERS for the Sonic the Hedgehog series!
The world of live action Sonic the Hedgehog the film series has grown enormously over the course of its three films and spin-off TV show, so here's a full breakdown of the complete series Sonic the Hedgehog timeline. THE Sonic the Hedgehog The franchise has told similar stories in many different ways throughout its various video game, TV show, and comic timelines, which means the canonical status of any one event is a bit murky. This is still the case for Paramount's live-action Sonic the Hedgehog film series, so here's everything you need to know, explained.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is on the way, and the film is set to be even bigger than the last Sonic the Hedgehog live action projectswith him finally adapting the story of Sonic Adventure 2. The introduction of Gerald Robotnik, Shadow the Hedgehog and Project Shadow means that Sonic the Hedgehog 3The timeline will likely be jumping around more than ever, meaning fans who don't have a firm grasp on the timeline could be a little confused. Many events occurred throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog films, each of which is immensely important.
The War of the Owls and Echnida
Ages before the events of Sonic The Hedgehog
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2Knuckles explains the oldest point of Sonic the Hedgehog timeline, with the war between the Giant Owls and the Echidna Tribe, which happened long before the first film. The Giant Owls were a bird-like alien species that lived on the planet Mobius, acting as intergalactic guardians. They peacefully shared Mobius with the Echidna Tribe until one day the Echidnas created a powerful artifact with the ability to turn any thought into reality: the Master Emerald.
Believing that no one should wield such power, the Giant Owls attacked the Echidna Tribe, taking the Master Emerald and hiding it on Earth. This began a multigenerational rivalry between the two groups, with the Echidnas hunting the Owls and killing them in an attempt to locate the Master Emerald.
This continued until 10 years before the events of Sonic the Hedgehog. At this point, there was only one Giant Owl left: Longclaw. Longclaw took care of a young Sonic the Hedgehogwith the two living in hiding on Mobius. One day, the Echidna Tribe learned of their existence. Longclaw was able to send Sonic to Earth to continue hiding, this being the last time Sonic saw her.
Project Shadow
50 years before Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 revealed a major event that occurred 50 years before the time of live-action films, this being Project Shadow. Project Shadow will play an important role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3which means more information will be revealed about it there. In the games, however, Project Shadow was an experiment by Gerald Robotnik that aimed to discover immortality. Instead, Gerald created Shadow the Hedgehog, with GUN shutting down the project, imprisoning Shadow and executing Gerald.
Sonic The Hedgehog and Knuckles Origin Stories
About 10 years before the events of Sonic The Hedgehog
After arriving on Earth as a child, young Sonic the Hedgehog hid in the woods for three years before moving to a secluded cave in Green Hills, Montana. Sonic eventually became alone living in this cave.with him eventually resorting to running around town. At this point, humans became aware of Sonic's presence, including Tom Wachowski and Doctor Robotnik.
Meanwhile, Knuckles was a child when the Echidna Tribe located Longclaw, with him knowing of Sonic's existence. Longclaw eventually killed the rest of the Echidna tribe, including Knuckles' father. This motivated Knuckles to become a great warrior, with him dedicating his life to Sonic the Hedgehog's search across the galaxy, leading to the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Sonic the Hedgehog 1
The first movie in the timeline
The events of the first Sonic the Hedgehog film set the stage for everything to come. In the film, Sonic loses his bag of teleportation rings, with him and Tom traveling to San Francisco as Doctor Robotnik and the United States government pursue them. Doctor Robotnik manages to grab one of Sonic's feathers, leading to a battle known in-universe as the San Francisco Incident. Sonic manages to banish Robotnik to the Mushroom Planet, with him deciding to stay with the Wachowskis in Green Hills. Shortly after, Tails arrives looking for Sonic.
The creation of guardian units of nations
Between the first two Sonic The Hedgehog films
Sonic's arrival, Robotnik's madness, and the aftermath of the San Francisco Incident meant that the United States government had to respond. In an effort to better prepare the country for extraterrestrial threats, the government formed the Guardian Nations Unit, led by Commander Walters. Sonic the HedgehogThe GUN organization takes a militarized approach to dealing with massive threats such as Robotnik's return to Earth, with them also investigating Project Shadow following the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
One year after the events of Sonic The Hedgehog
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2Sonic's feather lures Knuckles to the Mushroom Planet, where he meets Doctor Robotnik. The pair agree to work together, with them traveling to Earth in search of the Master Emerald and Sonic. Meanwhile, Tails arrives to tell Sonic about the Master Emerald, with them joining the hunt. Robotnik manages to find the Master Emerald, with him using it to give him maximum power. Knuckles joins Team Sonic as the trio battles Robotnik's giant robot. They defeat Robotnik, with Knuckles and Tails deciding to move in with Sonic and the Wachowskis.
Knuckles
Shortly after the events of Sonic The Hedgehog 2
The spin-off Knuckles TV show takes place between the second and third Sonic the Hedgehog films, focusing on the friendship between Knuckles and Wade Whipple. In the show, Knuckles decides to train Wade to be the ultimate warrior, with them traveling to Reno so Wade can face his estranged father in a bowling competition. About that, Knuckles has to face some former GUN agents and a group of criminals who uses Robotnik's technology and Team Sonic's feathers for evil.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sometime after the events of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and Knuckles
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has not been released at the time of writing this article, but the trailers and promotional materials have already revealed a lot about the film's story. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3GUN discovers Project Shadow, with Shadow the Hedgehog leaving Prison Island. Not only must Team Sonic face this new threat, but also the duo Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik, who hope to use Shadow for their own nefarious purposes. The introduction of Project Shadow means this will likely be the most important Sonic the Hedgehog film yet.