Minecraft’s first movie, A Minecraft Movie, has set new box office records, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation during its opening weekend. The film raked in an impressive $163 million (£128 million) in North America, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie by almost $20 million (£15.7 million). Its global earnings have now exceeded $313 million (£245 million).

While the film has achieved commercial success, critical reception has been lukewarm. The Independent labelled it “underwhelming” and criticized its flawed adaptation. However, strong fan support, especially from the Minecraft community, has propelled the movie’s popularity.

Minecraft, a game developed by Mojang in 2009 and later acquired by Microsoft in 2014 for $2.5 billion, remains the world’s best-selling video game with over 200 million active players globally. The movie adaptation has been eagerly awaited for over a decade, with development beginning in 2014 and production commencing in 2024.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Danielle Brooks, the film has sparked significant fan enthusiasm, particularly for Black’s performance, which has gone viral on social media. The film’s popularity has led to chaotic scenes in cinemas, with footage showing disruptive behaviour, particularly among young audiences. In some cases, police had to be called to control the crowd.

Despite mixed reviews, the film has proven to be a major box office success, outperforming projections. Nearly half of its global revenue came from North America, and the film’s opening represents Warner Bros.’ largest domestic debut since 2023. With its blend of fanfare and excitement, A Minecraft Movie has captured the attention of both Minecraft fans and families alike.