Should you watch A Minecraft Movie?

The live-action A Minecraft Movie rolled into theaters on April 4, 2025, and has since resulted in a seismic rift between critics and fans, raking in $162.75 million domestically despite a reported $270 million budget (excluding marketing).

Directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) and starring Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, this adaptation of the beloved video game has divided audiences with its quirky charm and glaring flaws. Is it a blocky bust or a surprising blockbuster gem? Let’s dig into the rubble.

Audience Verdict: A Gamer’s Delight with a Side of Chaos

Fans, especially the Minecraft faithful aged 7 to teens, have showered the film with an 87% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating from over 25,000 user reviews. Social media buzz on X paints it as a “fun, silly ride,” with one enthusiast calling it “one of the most fun theater experiences ever,” thanks to rowdy crowds tossing popcorn and cheering.

Jack Black’s unhinged Steve and Momoa’s brawny garbage man steal the show, while Easter eggs, like a DanTDM cameo and a Technoblade tribute, make gamers feel especially nostalgic.

But not everyone’s enchanted. Non-gamers and adults find it a “chore,” griping about shallow humor and a plot that feels like a Minecraft tutorial gone wrong. Some parents warn of nightmares from realistic CGI mobs, like fuzzy Creepers and eerie sheep, urging a skip for the faint-hearted.

Critics’ Take: A Pixelated Misstep with Fleeting Flair

Critics, with a tepid 48% Rotten Tomatoes score, aren’t as forgiving. The New York Times dubs it “mindless silliness,” applauding Black’s goofy earnestness but lamenting its lack of originality, a sentiment echoed by ScreenRant’s 4/10, which pans shallow characters and a flimsy quest.

IndieWire complains the Overworld is “flattened into a colorful backdrop,” while Jacobin calls it “terrible,” likening its poor CGI and dull adventures to “zombie cinema.” The action, highlighted by a potato launcher, feels quite forced, and the 1-hour-41-minute runtime drags.

Yet, glimmers of praise emerge. IGN praises Hess’s “deadpan comic-strip style” for the opening 30-40 minutes, delivering “sweetly silly” laughs, though it muddies later. RogerEbert.com finds it “quirky and goofy enough to be likable,” surpassing lazy adaptations, while Cineworld hails the Black-Momoa duo as a comedic lifeline. KSL.com argues it’s a “good time” for families, not Oscar bait.

Review: Should You Mine This Ticket?

A Minecraft Movie is a polarizing beast. For Minecraft devotees, the 87% audience score and $162.75 million haul signal a must-see. The theater’s chaotic energy, crowds roaring at Black’s antics and Momoa’s swagger, elevates the experience, with nods to the game’s lore adding charm. It’s PG-rated fun for kids, though parents should brace for awkward humor and spooky mobs that might spook the littlest viewers.

In fact, kids love it so much that "some cinemas have warned that "anti-social behaviour", including "loud screaming, clapping and shouting will not be tolerated", as reported by the BBC. According to Discussing Film, things escalated to the point 'police had to kick several kids out of the theater after their reaction to the ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene." Trust Jack Black to make us crazy.

Theater workers are not impressed though, as fans trash theaters by throwing popcorn, leaving an awful mess behind. But let's put that to the side.

For non-fans or cinephiles or people not taking their kids for a fun outing, maybe give this one a pass. The 48% critics’ score flags a thin plot, uninspired action, and comedy that misfires. Disney’s $150 million budget and sequel tease suggest it’ll lumber on, but the hype feels like a studio lifeline rather than a viewer reward. Wait for streaming if the crowd factor doesn’t sway you.

The verdict: Catch it if you’re mining for nostalgia, but don’t expect a cinematic goldmine. And definitely take your kids. Clean, good fun.

Sources: The New York Times, ScreenRant, IndieWire, Jacobin, IGN