For about six years now, Keanu Reeves has boasted an impressive streak of fresh Rotten Tomatoes scores, but with the actor’s new role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, this trend is subject to change. Since 1986, Reeves has been a beloved star, taking on iconic projects such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Matrix, and Constantine. More recently, Reeves has made waves as the titutlar hero in the John Wick franchise. In general, 2024 and 2025 are going to be big years for Reeves in terms of new releases, but there is one movie that holds particular weight.

Set for release on December 20, 2024, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is going to be significant for Reeves, and not just because it is his only movie of the year. For the first time, the actor is joining the beloved Sega franchise as the iconic villain, Shadow. In general, the introduction of Shadow has been an exciting turn for Sonic the Hedgehog viewers, but Reeves’ casting has made it even better. Shadow is going to bring an interesting new dynamic to the franchise, and there is no one better to embody his dark and brooding nature than Reeves.

Keanu Reeves Is In The Midst Of His Longest Fresh Streak On Rotten Tomatoes

What Has Caused Reeves’ RT Streak?

Keanu Reeves holding a gun as John Wick in John Wick 4 Shadow prepared to punch Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Keanu Reeves on the phone in Siberia 2018 Shadow dropping an explosive in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Keanu Reeves starring intensely as John Wick in John Wick 4

The importance of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Reeves is more obvious with context. Namely, Reeves is currently in the middle of his longest streak of fresh scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Since 2019, every movie Reeves has appeared in has earned a fresh score that has never dipped below 63%. While Rotten Tomatoes scores certainly aren’t the end-all-be-all of actor success, they definitely reveal a lot about the projects an actor chooses to be in. Clearly, Reeves has made all the right choices in the last five years, and hopefully, Sonic 3 won’t change that.

Every Fresh Keanu Reeves Movie Since 2019
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
89%

Always Be My Maybe
89%

Toy Story 4
97%

Between Two Ferns: The Movie
73%

Bill & Ted Face The Music
83%

The SpongeBob the Movie: Sponge on the Run
66%

The Matrix Resurrections
63%

DC League of Super-Pets
72%

John Wick: Chapter 4
94%

One clear connection between all of Reeves’ movies from 2019 to now is the fact that they are franchises. Since John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, almost all of Reeves’ projects have been part of larger series. Some examples include Toy Story 4, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, and The Matrix Resurrections. The only Reeves movie that was not part of a franchise was 2019’s Always Be My Maybe, although that film benefited from having well-known comedians behind it, such as Ali Wong and Randall Park. Overall, Reeves has profited from taking part in preexisting and well-loved franchises.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Has A Good Chance To Extend Keanu Reeves’ Rotten Tomatoes Streak

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Is Particularly Exciting

Shadow running to power Space Colony ARK in Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Knowing that Reeves has a strong Rotten Tomatoes streak, the upcoming release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is arguably a good thing. There is a strong chance that the action movie will continue Reeves’ success. One reason for this is that, in general, the Sonic movies have done quite well with critics. Sonic the Hedgehog earned a 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Sonic the Hedgehog 2 received a 69%. In this way, it seems likely that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will rank somewhere in that area, or will perhaps even surpass those scores.

The chance of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s success is even greater because of Reeves’ casting.

The chance of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s success is even greater because of Reeves’ casting. As previously mentioned, there is a lot of hype surrounding the introduction of Shadow, and Reeves is generally a beloved actor. Reeves’ role could make Sonic the Hedgehog 3 better than its predecessors by raising the stakes and deepening the story. Shadow will cast a new light on Sonic that the previous movies have never really been able to offer, and this could make critics reevaluate just how impressive this franchise is.

Keanu Reeves’ Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Role Could Make Or Break Its Rotten Tomatoes Score

Reeves’ Rotten Tomatoes Future Explained

Sonic striking a heroic pose in Sonic the Hedgehog 3

With a few weeks until the premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, all audiences can do is wait and see what will happen to Reeves’ Rotten Tomatoes streak. Although Sonic 3 has a solid chance of scoring well, there is still the chance that the movie could flop, ending Reeves’ success. Some have raised concerns that Sonic 3 is taking on too much since its cast is so large, and this could definitely be a downfall of the film. Fortunately though, even if Reeves’ streak breaks, that will not seriously hurt the actor. Reeves will always be loved.

Additionally, it helps that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 isn’t the only exciting movie coming up for Reeves. In 2025, Reeves is appearing in the John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, which could garner the same success as its franchise predecessors. Furthermore, Reeves is slated to be part of a star-studded cast in the upcoming action comedy film, Good Fortune. In this way, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 could be a turning point for Keanu Reeves, but it is far from being the end of the line for the actor.