Sonic 3’s Oscars Disqualification Is a Harsh Reminder of Franchise’s Tragic Fate Despite Jim Carrey Bragging About It at Golden Globes

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 saw some incredible performances from the likes of Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves, but it is sadly ineligible for the top recognition. Sonic 3 is among the 116 feature films that were made ineligible for consideration in the Oscars Best Picture category. These films did not follow certain benchmarks set by the Academy for consideration.

The Sonic franchise has yet to win a major award like an Academy Award or a Golden Globe, despite being one of the best video game-to-film adaptations out there. Carrey once mentioned his film as a worthy contender during the 2019 Golden Globes. While the film lived up to his words, awards have continued to elude the franchise.

Jim Carrey’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is ineligible for Best Picture Oscar

Jim Carrey reprised his role as the main antagonist, Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The first two films based on Sega’s video game series became an immediate hit with the audiences. Even after Carrey came out of retirement for the third film, the awards curse continues to haunt the franchise.

According to The Wrap, the film is among the 116 films that were deemed ineligible as a Best Picture contender at the 97th Academy Awards. It joined other commercial films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Mean Girls, and Madame Web that were made ineligible for the topmost Academy accolade.

It was reported that the Academy had strict rules in place for the Best Picture contenders including theatrical release quotas to be met and diversity and inclusion benchmarks. The Academy rules about the release of the films stated:

[The] feature films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in at least one of six U.S. metropolitan areas: Los Angeles County; the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia, between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and complete a minimum qualifying run of seven consecutive days in the same venue. Feature films must have a running time of more than 40 minutes.

In addition, Representation and Inclusion Standards (RAISE) was set as an eligibility criteria. It is unclear what eligibility criteria Sonic 3 failed to meet. The third film in the franchise will have the same fate as its predecessors when it comes to winning major awards. The film is still eligible to win other Academy Awards other than Best Picture.

Jim Carrey jokingly mentioned Sonic the Hedgehog as a potential awards contender in 2019

At the 2019 Golden Globes, Jim Carrey was part of a skit where hosts Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh ejected him from the film section. Carrey was nominated that year for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series for his role in Kidding.

As the audience laughed at the hilarious skit, Carrey managed to quip, “I just finished a film. It’s called Sonic the Hedgehog, It’s out in November.” Samberg, as part of the joke, responded, “Well, come back next year. I’m sure it’ll be nominated.” Of course, that never came true. The Sonic series has yet to receive a nomination for major awards including the Golden Globes.

They still don't want to admit defeat https://t.co/LVnUvHLEqR pic.twitter.com/CZjWqJwGuV

— #1 Space Jam 2 Lover (@JoshuaTookes) January 6, 2025

While promoting the second film in the franchise, Carrey announced his retirement from acting (via Access Hollywood). However, he returned to the third film and explained the reason to Associated Press during his film’s UK premiere:

I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And, you know, it’s just… I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money, frankly. Yeah.

The first two films were the highest-grossing video game film adaptations at the time of their respective releases. While the first film grossed $302.5 million and the second grossed $405.1 million (via The Numbers), the third film ended its box office run at $338.1 million.

The first two films are now available for streaming on Paramount+.

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