The following contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, now playing in theatersSonic the Hedgehog 3's cast of characters and help lighten up some of the film's darker moments.

Although a formal soundtrack for the film hasn't been released yet, there are many clear song choices made throughout the movie. The best of these embody the spirit of the original games and fit neatly into the film, with one fan-favorite song from the game series serving as the backing for Sonic the Hedgehog 3's explosive ending and exciting post-credits scene. Here are all the notable songs that appear in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and when they play.

When Every Song In Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Plays In The Movie

A Mix Of Fun Tracks & Game Deep-Cuts Flesh Out Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Soundtrack

"99 Red Balloons" by Goldfinger: One of the first needle-drops of Sonic The Hedgehog 3, Goldfinger's version of "99 Red Balloons" is a great way to establish the tone of the film. A cover of Nena's anti-Cold War track, Goldfinger's peppy pop-punk version of the song reflects the era when Sonic became popular. The song plays during Sonic's race with Tails and Knuckles through the woods. It's an ideal song to score the audiences' reintroduction to the blue hedgehog.

"Neon" by One OK Rock: "Neon" by One OK Rock serves as the backing song for Team Sonic's plans to catch up to Shadow. The song plays as Team Sonic arrive in Japan to confront Shadow, and serves as a quasi theme song for the trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. It fits well into the visuals of Sonic and his teammates dropping into combat, ready to throw themselves into battle.

"Lollipop" by Tempura Kidz: Tempura Kudz is a Japanese band that factors briefly into Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Their bubbly bright song "Lollipop" plays when Tails, Sonic, and Knuckles regroup at Chao Garden. The restaurant is a reference to the Chaos from the Sonic games, reimagined as a chain of restaurants. The song's sudden volume burst is a punchline in the scene and distracts the heroes at a crucial junction when Gerald Robotnik attacks them.

"Firestarter" by The Prodigy: The Prodigy's "Firestarter" plays during one of the film's comedic beats. The song plays during Robotnik's make-over montage. After reluctantly agreeing to work with Team Sonic, Robotnik requires a make over from Agent Stone. The low stakes of the moment become hilarious when contrasted against the bombastic beats of The Prodigy and the dramatic acting of Jim Carrey and Lee Majdoub.

"End Of The Line" by The Traveling Wilburys: The Traveling Wilburys' "End of the Line" is one of the more thematically important tracks in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The song plays while Maria and Shadow are getting to know one another, giving the song an emotional importance. The song is also a throwback to a much older era than when the film is largely set, highlighting Shadow's disconnect from the modern world.

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys plays during one of the film's big comical beats. After Ivo and Gerald decide to bond, the pair end up going through a series of life events like Halloween and Christmas. It's all through a VR landscape, allowing the characters to poke fun at the hallmarks of childhood without diverging too severely from the central plot of the film.

The score to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 includes music from the original games, including the iconic "Clear Level" jingle that plays in many entries in the series.

"London Town" by Mr. Ezai: Mr. Ezai's "London Town" serves as the film's needle drop when the action shifts to England. The song plays when Shadow, Ivo, Gerald, and Agent Stone arrive in London to attack GUN headquarters. It's a fun inclusion and serves as a direct contrast to the more bubbly tracks that played elsewhere in the film. It highlights how versatile the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 really is, and lends itself well to characters like Shadow.

"Galvanize" by The Chemical Brothers: "Galvanize" by The Chemical Brothers is one of the big musical moments in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The song plays as both Robotniks try to break into GUN, with their suits and the music turning the bases' lethal lasers into the backdrop for a dance number. It's one of the more overtly silly musical beats in the film, and a highlight of Jim Carrey's dual Robotnik roles.

Live & Learn by Crush 40: "Live & Learn" is the big song in Sonic the Hedgehog 3's climax and highlights the film's direct connections to the original games. The song plays during Shadow and Sonic's team up to stop Gerald's plans, with both characters using the power of the Master Emerald to empower themselves. The song was also the title theme for Sonic Adventure 2, the game that introduced audiences to Shadow.

"Run It" by Jelly Roll: "Run It" by Jelly Roll plays during the credits of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The track is perfectly suited to the excitable and bright tone of the proceeding movie, and was recorded specifically for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The track plays during the video game-inspired animated sequence that makes up the initial part of the credits. It's an ideal song for the film to close out on, especially when coupled with the credits' retro CGI graphics and bright tone.

Where To Listen To Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Soundtrack

There Isn't An Official Soundtrack To Sonic The Hedgehog 3

The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 soundtrack is not currently available for purchase as a single album. The roll-out of a soundtrack may ultimately be like Sonic The Hedgehog 2. A soundtrack was eventually released that contained the original score to the film ,but didn't include the many needle-drops that appeared in the film.

However, the film's songs can be found individually on apps like Spotify or for purchase from online stores like Apple Music or Amazon Music. "Run It" by Jelly Roll is also now available for purchase and is streaming on YouTube. Songs like "Run It" have also received unique music videos tied to the release of the film. Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's soundtrack can likely piece together the soundtrack on their own, however, and enjoy the highs of the new video game adaptation for themselves.