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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - the sequel to 2020’s surprise hit - has had a bumper opening weekend, grossing $71 million and besting its predecessor - which generated $58 million - by 22 per cent.
According to Comicbook, that makes it the best opening weekend for any movie based upon a video game.
As Deadline points out, this means Sonic 2 is Jim Carrey's biggest domestic opener, just about eclipsing 2003's Bruce Almighty, which clocked up $68 million on its debut.
"Sonic 2's record opening is a victory for Paramount and for the industry at large," said Paramount Theatrical Distribution boss, Chris Aronson. "The filmmakers did an amazing job of crafting a film that is both in service of Sonic’s legions of fans as well as the general and family audience.
"Growing a franchise is no small feat and having an opening +22% over the first film is a remarkable achievement. Kudos to the filmmakers and to the marketing and distributions teams at Paramount for doing a fantastic job in bringing the film into the global marketplace!"
"In truth, the original just edges out the sequel," Bradley said in the GamesRadar+ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie review, in which he gave the movie 3 stars out of 5.
"The story beats here follow the same well-worn path as the 2020 film, with Robotnik’s mad schemes and the power-of-friendship message feeling a touch reheated a second time around, even with the added wrinkle of Knuckles and the noticeably improved special effects.
"But this snappy sequel proves Sonic’s race isn’t run yet. Far from it. With a threequel already confirmed and a Knuckles spin-off series in the works for 2023, it’s full speed ahead for the Blue Blur."
For more Sonic 2 reactions - and to find out why the sequel is being called "a love letter to video game lovers" - we've got you covered.
Check out our guide to all of 2022's major movie release dates for everything else the year has in store.
