Brief oral history: How ‘A Minecraft Movie’ rode the chicken jockey to the top of the box office
Minecraft is, perhaps, the ultimate sandbox game. Infinite space, multiple game modes, and seemingly endless updates: The game’s limitless possibilities have helped it sell more than 350 million copies since it launched in 2011 (only Tetris has sold more games, and it had a 27-year lead). In 2014, Microsoft acquired Minecraft developer Mojang for $2.5 billion. That same year, Mojang Studios began trying to figure out how to turn an open-ended game into a narrative film for Warner Bros. By 2022, the adaptation coalesced around Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess, featuring Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, a human trapped in-game, and Hess’s Nacho Libre star Jack Black as the game’s default avatar, Steve. Released on April 4, 2025, A Minecraft Movie became the second-highest-grossing film of the year. Kayleen Walters, head of Mojang Studios and VP of franchise development for gaming at Microsoft: We wanted to push the story beyond what players experience in-game and do something special for the film, making sure Minecraft not only stayed true to its roots but also created an experience that welcomed new fans into the franchise. [Illustration: Fries Vansevenant ] Jared Hess, director, A Minecraft Movie : [With an adaptation] you want to really be aware of what’s special about the game, because it’s something that a lot of people share. Once we realize that we are one of millions of stories that kids and adults bring to the game when they play it, it’s like, “Let’s just go have fun and let’s
Minecraft, the ultimate sandbox game, has captivated millions of players since its launch in 2011. With over 350 million copies sold, it has become the second-best-selling video game of all time, trailing only Tetris, which had a 27-year head start. In 2014, Microsoft acquired Minecraft developer Mojang for a staggering $2.5 billion, solidifying the game's place in the gaming industry. That same year, Mojang Studios began exploring the possibility of turning the open-ended game into a narrative film for Warner Bros.
The journey to adapt Minecraft into a feature film was not without its challenges. The game's limitless possibilities and creative freedom made it difficult to condense into a cohesive storyline. However, by 2022, the project coalesced around Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess, who was tasked with bringing the game's world to life on the big screen. Hess assembled an impressive cast, including Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, a human trapped in-game, and Jack Black as Steve, the game's default avatar.
Released on April 4, 2025, A Minecraft Movie premiered to critical acclaim and became the second-highest-grossing film of the year. Kayleen Walters, head of Mojang Studios and VP of franchise development for gaming at Microsoft, explained that the team aimed to push the story beyond what players experience in-game. "We wanted to do something special for the film, making sure Minecraft not only stayed true to its roots but also created an experience that welcomed new fans into the franchise," she said.
Jared Hess, the director of A Minecraft Movie, emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of the game. "With an adaptation, you want to really be aware of what's special about the game, because it's something that a lot of people share," he said. "Once we realize that we are one of millions of stories that kids and adults bring to the game when they play it, it's like, 'Let's just go have fun and let's celebrate what we love about it.'"
While telling an original story, the film also weaves in self-aware mentions of gameplay elements. One of those is the "chicken jockey"—a rare in-game enemy consisting of a small, fast-moving zombie riding a chicken. The trailer teased a scene that has Momoa squaring off to fight one, with Black shouting "Chicken jockey!" When theater audiences—mostly composed of early-twentysomethings raised on the game—saw the scene, they lost it. Popcorn flew as fans cheered, and the film's marketing team capitalized on the moment, turning the "chicken jockey" into a viral sensation.
The film's success can be attributed to its ability to balance the game's core elements with a compelling narrative. It showcased the creativity and imagination that players bring to Minecraft, while also introducing new fans to the world of the game. A Minecraft Movie's box office success demonstrated that the game's appeal transcends generations, and its influence extends far beyond the virtual realm.
In the end, A Minecraft Movie became more than just a film adaptation; it became a cultural phenomenon that celebrated the game's unique place in popular culture. The film's success paved the way for future projects, solidifying Minecraft's status as a cultural icon and a testament to the enduring power of creativity and imagination.
