If you are searching for when did chipmunks 3.come.out, the movie you want is Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. It reached U.S. theaters on December 16, 2011.
It is the third live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film. That release date is the key answer most fans are looking for.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked came out in the U.S. on December 16, 2011. If you have seen it called Chipwrecked, Alvin and the Chipmunks 3, or the threequel, those names all point to the same film.
Release Date And Official Title

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is the official title. Theaters, home video listings, and cast credits use this name.
The film is the third live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. It follows Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Squeakquel.
U.S. Theatrical Release In 2011
The movie opened in U.S. theaters on December 16, 2011. Wikipedia and Movie Insider list this date.
Why Fans Call It Alvin and the Chipmunks 3
Fans use Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 because it is the third movie in the live-action series. The subtitle Chipwrecked changes from film to film, so many people use the numbered shorthand when searching online.
Other Names Like The Threequel
Some people call it the third installment or the threequel. Some listings and fan pages use Chipwrecked on its own, while others include the full title.
Where It Fits In The Film Series

This movie comes between the second theatrical chapter and the later road-trip sequel. The same core characters return, and the story keeps the franchise’s musical, family-comedy style.
Following The Squeakquel
Chipwrecked follows The Squeakquel. The movie brings back the chipmunks, the chipettes, and Dave Seville.
The setup continues the pattern of music, travel, and trouble. This makes the movie feel like a direct continuation.
What Came Before In The Franchise
Before this film, the franchise included the original Alvin and the Chipmunks movie and The Squeakquel. Those earlier films established Dave, the chipmunks, and the chipettes.
What Came After With The Road Chip
The next live-action film was Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. That 2015 release closed out the film series.
Cast, Voices, And Creative Team

Live-action performers and returning voice actors make the film feel familiar. The creative team keeps the franchise’s style consistent.
Live-Action Cast Members
The live-action cast includes Jason Lee as Dave Seville, David Cross as Ian Hawke, and Jenny Slate as Zoe. These performances anchor the human side of the story.
Voice Actors Behind The Chipmunks And Chipettes
The returning voices include Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate. These actors give the chipmunks and chipettes their familiar voices.
Director And Screenwriters
Mike Mitchell directed the film. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger wrote it.
Ross Bagdasarian created the characters and musical concept that shaped the series from the start.
Story Setup And Recognition Cues

The movie stands out for its vacation setup. Dave, the chipmunks, and the chipettes leave their usual routine for a cruise-and-island adventure.
The Cruise Ship And Island Premise
The story of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked starts on a cruise ship. The chipmunks and chipettes go overboard and end up on a tropical island.
That change of setting makes it easy to tell apart from the other movies.
Key Characters Viewers Remember
The film centers on Dave Seville, the chipmunks, and the chipettes. The group’s usual antics drive the plot.
If you remember the cruise, the island, and the returning music group dynamic from Alvin and the Chipmunks, you are probably thinking of this movie.
How To Tell This Film Apart From The Others
Look for the subtitle Chipwrecked and the stranded-at-sea premise.
This film focuses on cruise ship chaos and a tropical island. The adventure-comedy tone makes Chipwrecked stand out.