The pixelated world of the 2011 video game Minecraft has finally made its way to the big screen, and despite the mixed reviews it has received from critics, it’s proving to be a commercial powerhouse. “A Minecraft Movie,” which hit theaters nationwide on April 4, has quickly become a box office phenomenon, grossing over $550 million worldwide in just ten days and earning its spot as the second-highest-grossing film of 2025 so far.
Directed by Jared Hess (known for the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”), the film follows four unlikely heroes who are mysteriously transported into the cubic world of Minecraft. There, they encounter Steve, played by Jack Black, a self-proclaimed “expert crafter” who guides them on their quest to return home. The star-studded cast also features Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and newcomer Sebastian Hansen.
The road to bringing Minecraft to theaters was nearly as challenging as surviving the game’s first night. Development began back in 2014 when game creator Markus “Notch” Person revealed that Mojang was in talks with Warner Bros. The project bounced between various directors and writers for almost a decade before finally landing with Legendary Entertainment and settling on the current creative team.
Critics have been sharply divided on the film, which currently holds a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com called it “quirky and goofy enough to make one wish it held together better overall, but it’s also a likable venture,” while Micheal Compton from Bowling Green Daily News described it as “mindless fun with a couple of over-the-top comedic performances from Jack Black and Jason Momoa as well as a fun, visually immersive world.”
More voices included Richard Brody of The New Yorker, who wrote, “I can’t recommend that anyone see ‘A Minecraft Movie’, not even a child,” and Jared Rasic from Detroit’s Metro Times, who harshly criticized the film, saying “the FIVE credited writers fail to craft a single moment that authentically captures the wonder of making something exist in reality.”
Many reviewers highlighted the chemistry between Momoa and Black as one of the film’s saving graces. Alejandro Turdó of Hoy Sale Cine noted that “the inclusion of Jack Black and Jason Momoa proves to be an efficient hook for grown-ups,” even as the film primarily targets younger viewers.
The film’s visual style has received both praise and criticism. While some reviewers appreciated the creative translation of the game’s blocky aesthetic to film, others like Tom Beasley of Yahoo! Movies criticized the approach, writing that Minecraft “doesn’t so much flout [the ‘show don’t tell’ rule] as it does build a wall of green blocks around it.”
For fans of the game, opinions are equally split. Some like seeing game creatures like creepers on the big screen, while others think the movie missed what makes the game special – the freedom to create.
Despite the criticism, the film’s box office success has already prompted Warner Bros. to announce that a sequel is in development, though no details about the plot or returning cast have been confirmed.
Whether you’re a dedicated minecrafter or have never placed a single block before, “A Minecraft Movie” seems destined to continue dividing audiences – much like the original game did when it first appeared in the gaming scene.
First-Year Ashley Witkowski is the Campus Life Editor. Her email is awitkows@fandm.edu.