By Jordan Taylor
The video game movie adaptation successes continue. Despite bad reviews from critics, Warner Bros Minecraft movie defied expectations. The movie was expected to open at $60 million. Instead it more than doubled that with an opening of $157 million. That puts Minecrafts worldwide total at $351 million worldwide. It even surpassed the Super Mario movies opening weekend from 2023. That movie opened to $146.6 million. That means that Minecraft had the biggest opening for a video game movie in history. The Super Mario Bros Movie passed a billion at the box office. If Minecrafts opening is any indication, it could very well be the first billion dollar movie of 2025.
Prior to this weekend, Minecrafts box office prospects were a real wild card. The online reactions to the trailer were terrible. Many fans online mocked the green screen effects, and acting. Some people online were even really rooting for Minecraft to fail. However audiences seem to be showing up in droves for this movie. It seems to have delivered on everything fans were hoping for.
What Made Minecraft Such A Box Office Event?
Asides from audiences loving the movie, it seems to be a party like experience for audiences. Multiple viral posts across social media have shown audiences cheering in movie theatres. There was even one viral video of an audience where someone snuck a real chicken in the movie theatre. In the viral video, the movie auditorium, the movie was immediately shut off and the lights were turned on. It spiralled so out of control that even the police were called. It’s even got to a point where Imax released a video encouraging audience members to be respectful during the movie. Walk up sales played a big part in people going to see this movie. Instead of buying tickets in advance, audiences instead bought their tickets the day of. Many people even bought tickets directly at the theatre.
What Does This Mean For Future Video Game Adaptations?
Following hits like Mario, Sonic, and now Minecraft, you can expect more video game adaptations to be green lit. Particularly ones made for kids. Perhaps Kirby, Galaga, and Pacman are next. Hollywood has struggled in the past with adapting video games into movies. However in recent years that’s really changed with the movies previously mentioned. Hollywood seems to have course corrected as audiences have been happy with recent video game adaptations. Something movies like Sonic, Mario, and Minecraft have done so well is appeal to kids and adults. There is a huge audience demographic that is interested in seeing their childhood games brought to life on the big screen. When one of these movies can not only appeal to that demographic but kids too, Hollywood has a massive hit on their hands. All three of those movies seem to have offered the perfect amount of nostalgia as well to older audiences. Not only is that audience interested, but there interested in going again, and seeing more video game movie adaptations.
What Does This Mean For The Future Of The Minecraft Franchise?
There most certainly will be a sequel to Minecraft. With the opening weekend it had, Warner Bros has a real hit on their hands. Especially with the talent of Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks, they’ll want to make this into a franchise. Audiences are more picky than ever what they will go to see in theatres. It seems unless it’s a box office movie event, or a Horror movie, audiences prefer to watch movies on streaming. However Minecraft one again proves how big the market is for kids and family movies. Minecraft not only is appealing to kids and families but adults too. This proves the point as to why Warner Bros will want to capitalize on the success of this.
What Will Determine How Far Minecraft Makes It At The Box Office?
What will determine how far Minecraft goes at the box office will entirely depend on repeat viewing. It was also be crucial how the movie holds in it’s second to third weekend. If audiences keep going to see this movie in theatres in the coming weeks, that could push Minecraft to a billion. The movie also doesn’t have any real competition at the box office until Thunderbolts releases May 2nd. That’s the next big blockbuster movie. The next family movie to hit theatres is Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake. That doesn’t hit theatres until Memorial Day Weekend. That means until then Minecraft is the newest family movie in theatres. Minecraft could easily make it to a billion in that time from repeat viewing.
What Do Students On Campus Think Of The Minecraft Movie.
Parth Patel from York University praised the Minecraft movie experience. Patel said “It felt like an event to see this movie in the theatre.” He elaborated on it by saying “Experiencing this in the theatres with an audience, is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” Patel talked about the nostalgia element being a key factor. He said “I grew up with Minecraft, so seeing a movie made in my 20’s is very nostalgic and sentimental.”
It seems many share that same feeling, as the movie is continuing to smash records at the box office.
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