Minecraft, directed by Napoleon Dynamite’s Jared Hess, has hit the box office like a nuclear bomb. It earned a staggering $300 million (£233 million) worldwide in its opening weekend! The film is itself inspired by one of the world’s top selling video games. With a star-studded cast featuring Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge, it has audiences rolling in the aisles with a ridiculous new spin on the classic favorite.
The film chronicles four misfits. They are unceremoniously yanked through a strange portal into the Overworld, the starting area for most players in Minecraft. Among the intriguing characters are playwright Garrett Garrison, as played by Jason Momoa, and Steve, as played by Jack Black. Black’s delivery of that line might actually be the most animated thing in a movie featuring a character literally made of chalk. As you can tell from his very funny introduction of “Chicken jockey!
As the rom-com keeps bringing in audiences, the UK Cinema Association recently expressed delight at what has been an “exceptional” response from audiences. Though many cinemas have welcomed the rule-breaking fans, others have complained about “anti-social behaviour,” including noise complaints for loud booing, cheering, clapping and shouting. To counteract this rowdy misconduct, many venues have added tougher restrictions. A cinema in Staffordshire has even banned under-18s from attending evening screenings without an adult after viral footage of disruptive behavior circulated on social media.
Director Jared Hess has had a full laugh at the wild, passionate, hilarious ways audiences are reacting. He went on to call the answers “way too funny.” He noted how the energy sometimes turns into havoc. Yet, it is this same energy that continues to unite friends and families to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
“It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called.” – Jared Hess
Hess explained the shape of these kinds of reactions, remembering that as usual, this kind of intensity comes with clapping and popping corn in the air. He humorously reflected on family outings to the cinema where popcorn ends up scattered across the floor, saying, “Look, when I go to the movies with my kids, it’s like a popcorn massacre that happens and they’re not throwing anything, but it ends up on the ground regardless.”
Its mix of political satire and absurdist comedy still connect with audiences today. One scene, where Garrett fights a mini zombie on a chicken, has everyone rolling with laughter. Hess said, “I’m most excited about seeing audiences experience this film and walk away with a joyful memory.”
“I’m just laughing my brains out every time someone sends me a new video.” – Jared Hess
Although some cinemas have started doing more to discourage disruptive behavior, the loudest outcry is the opposite. Hess said he hopes everyone leaves the show. Hess added that he loves the idea of people in theaters having fun.
“But, man, I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.” – Jared Hess
The combination of a captivating story, a talented cast, and Hess’s comedic direction has contributed to the film’s success. Audiences are returning to theaters in historic fashion. The Minecraft movie has already created a genuine cultural moment full of joy, connection, and laughter — and positively shattered box office records while doing so.
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