Two Video Game Adaptations From Rival Companies Have Become Streaming Hits

It’s no secret that Mario and Sonic are video game rivals, but when it comes to proving that video game screen adaptations can be good, these two form an unlikely alliance. This unexpected team-up continues, as both their respective film adaptations have become streaming hits. According to FlixPatrol, both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have placed 3rd and 6th, respectively, on Prime Video’s Top 10 Movies in the United States on July 2, 2025, with Deep Cover and The Accountant sandwiched between them. These two features have been in the charts since yesterday and have increased their chart placement by 24 hours.

Both Sonic 3 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie were highly praised by fans, both receiving Verified Hot audience scores of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. And while Nintendo’s 2023 box office darling generated over $1.3 billion at the box office, Sonic‘s third installment earned a high $492 million, thus becoming the second-highest-grossing video game film of all time, before it was overtaken by A Minecraft Movie in 2025.

What’s Next for Sonic and Mario in the Movie Industry?

Following the success of the two movies, it was confirmed that both Mario and Sonic would receive another round of box office glory. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 was confirmed on March 10, 2024, and has a scheduled release date of April 3, 2026. At the moment, details of its plot have yet to be revealed, as well as potential new characters that might be introduced (though the end-credits scene did tease the arrival of Yoshi). However, Illumination will return for the film’s production.

Meanwhile, following the post-credits scene that was featured in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it was no secret that its fourth installment would eventually be greenlit and has a scheduled release date for 2027. Just like Mario, details for this next film are still shrouded in mystery. However, expect to see the live-action debut of Amy Rose and Metal Sonic.

While Mario and Sonic belong to different game companies, many fans wonder if these two characters will cross over at some point, especially since there is a Nintendo game called Super Smash Bros., where both Mario and Sonic appear as playable characters, as well as the multiple Mario & Sonic in the Olympic Games titles. While it’s currently unlikely, Sonic star Ben Schwartz hopes that a crossover film will come to life, as he believes the pieces for a Super Smash Bros movie are falling into place. However, he thinks it could only happen if different studios are willing to “be kind to each other.”

The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are available to stream on Prime Video.