"Sonic the Hedgehog" movie poster.

Starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 you can go online and make a reservation to see “Sonic the Hedgehog” for free at the Granada Beach drive-in location—Ocean Boulevard and Bennett Avenue—on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

We tell you this golden nugget of information because this drive-in series, Twilight Cinema, has been extremely popular, each show selling out within the first couple of days. And by selling out we mean the spaces have been booked because the drive-in movies are free to the public. It all depends on if you can book the reservation before everyone else beats you to it.

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is currently the second-highest-grossing film of 2020. Its release on Feb. 14, just a month before California’s stay-at-home orders were put into effect, means it hasn’t really had anything to compete with since. That’s not to say the movie isn’t good; despite a so-so Rotten Tomatoes score of 62%, it’s consensus still states it’s “an adventure the whole family can enjoy,” and audiences gave the movie a glowing 93%.

The movie is based on SEGA’s wildly popular video game series that came out in the early 1990s, back when Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis were vying for dominance over the video game console market. In many ways Sonic, the spunky, lightning-fast blue hedgehog became for SEGA what Mario was for Nintendo.

Overall, Sonic has done exceptionally well, with its evolution into an animation and movie series compared to its Italian plumber competitor whose legacy as a gaming icon is secure, but whose live-action Super Mario Bros. movie (1993) is an unmitigated catastrophe. That film, currently with a 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, failed to make back even its production cost.

Paramount Pictures “Sonic the Hedgehog” features comedian Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, and James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, the local Sheriff who teams up with Sonic to defeat the evil scientist, Dr. Robotnik, whose character is brought to life in the way only Jim Carrey’s manic energy can accomplish.

Here’s Twilight Cinema’s remaining schedule:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 25 – “Sonic the Hedgehog” at Granada Beach
  • Friday, Aug. 28 – “Frozen II” at the Convention Center
  • Sunday, Sept. 6 – “Onward” at the Convention Center

Movies begin at dusk, around 8:30 p.m. Parking lots open at 6:30 p.m. and spots are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

For Convention Center movies, enter at Linden Avenue and Shoreline Drive. For movies shown at Granada Beach, enter at Ocean Boulevard and Bennett Avenue.

Patrons must adhere to all COVID-19 requirements to promote a safe experience for all. Due to physical distancing requirements, people can only attend in vehicles.

For more details, including reservations, vehicle restrictions, policies and COVID-19 requirements, visit polb.com/twilightcinema.