After being delayed multiple times for over a decade, “A Minecraft Movie,” inspired by the popular video game “Minecraft,” came out in theaters on April 5, 2025. Although the movie attempted to tell the story of four people and “Minecraft’s” main character, Steve (Jack Black), as they try to save their world against the evil Piglin Brutes—a group of evil standing pigs that have abandoned all forms of creativity with the sole goal of removing that creativity from others—from The Nether, a hell-like dimension within “Minecraft” in which creativity is limited, “A Minecraft Movie” has become far more of a meme than an actual movie.
Grossing $157 million domestically in the first 48 hours, “A Minecraft Movie” was a major success, but for the wrong reasons. Terms like “flint and meal,” “I am Steve,” “chicken jockey” and “The Nether” became extremely popular as “brain rot” terms. The same terms that were being ridiculed after the release of the first Warner Bros. trailer became grounds for standing ovations and throwing popcorn in theaters. Thousands of theaters throughout the U.S. screamed these phrases as they came along in the movie.
Additionally, the significance of the movie came not from the plot—as it was bland and predictable—but from the impact it had on pop culture. Rated 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, the actual film itself could have been better in many different ways, especially for a movie that cost $150 million. Being inspired by a popular sandbox game that has sold over 300 million copies, it is surprising that very little of the movie is dedicated to the gameplay. Although the movie was incredibly entertaining and funny, the actors did not take their roles very seriously, as they spontaneously broke into song multiple times, and to sounded sarcastic throughout the whole movie, even when it came down to life or death. The entire movie appeared to have comedic undertones—such as having actor Jennifer Coolidge “date” a villager. Even during the climax of the plot, one of the protagonists unseriously launched an ender pearl to try to teleport to the top so he can dismantle the orb that poisoned their world.
I couldn’t figure out how some of the scenes connected to the joy that millions held while playing the game, and it felt a lot more like a fanfiction rather than an official “Minecraft” movie. Especially for a blocky world, the choice of art style and the decision to make the movie live-action held it back from events that could make the movie feel a lot more “Minecraft-y.” The plot was about fighting mobs that most players rarely encounter, and the first half of the movie was very slow-paced.
Even with all these negative traits, “A Minecraft Movie” had a lot of upsides other than the “brain rot.” This movie was one of the first times that “Minecraft” took inspiration from popular phrases and ideas in the “Minecraft” community. Ranging from popular “Minecraft” YouTuber Camman18’s reference of an iron golem as “Big guy,” and included a tribute to the late Technoblade, as Steve refers to him as “a legend.” Additionally, in-game references such as the water bucket Major League Gaming (MLG)—a popular “clutch” skill—or referencing the mythical Herobrine through an Enderman with white eyes—a signature characteristic of him, as well as beginning the movie with the classic square loading screen were added.
“The Minecraft” movie may be one of the most comical comebacks, for all the wrong reasons. I came into the movie with high expectations, but I left it laughing yet disappointed. I think I only found it funny because I watched it with friends, as well as the reaction from the people around me. Had it been any other movie, I would have found it much worse than mediocre and a waste of my time. However, now I don’t remember going through a day without hearing a Minecraft movie reference somewhere. At first, I thought it was very funny, but over time it felt repetitive and old. Originally joked upon within the “Minecraft” community as never coming out, to having the first trailer become a laughing stock, and creating a box-buster that relied on the community to publicize and support the most laughable details, “The Minecraft” movie may be one of the most comical success in recent film history.