‘A Minecraft Movie’ Is Already Mining For A Sequel

When “A Minecraft Film” was initially introduced, I had issues that it was going to endure the identical destiny because the “Borderlands” film, which is presently sporting a ten p.c approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Not solely was it a field workplace flop, however it additionally appeared to tank the concept audiences have been fascinated by films based mostly on online game sequence. Nevertheless, “A Minecraft Film,” which additionally mockingly stars Jack Black, has two issues that “Borderlands” didn’t: a youthful viewers and a thriving IP.

With a price range of $150 million, it’s clear that Warner Bros. and Common Photos executives have been sweating a bit when the movie was launched theatrically on April 4. Though it garnered blended evaluations from critics, youthful audiences flocked to the film and gave it an amazing two thumbs-up.

Not solely did it gross over $300 million worldwide, greater than doubling its price range, however it additionally grew to become the fourth-highest-grossing movie of 2025. That quantity is anticipated to develop as phrase of mouth continues to unfold. Whereas “Borderlands” was a bit grownup for youthful audiences, “A Minecraft Film” was solely rated PG, giving mother and father someplace to take their children on a wet weekend.

Because the film confirmed, Minecraft is absolutely what you make of it, which is why it appeals to so many individuals of all totally different age teams. Merely put, it’s a recreation the place you place blocks and create your personal journey. You may craft weapons and hunt monsters. You may construct homes, cities, and even mechanical units: the selection is yours.

The issue is, with such a giant sandbox, how would writers be capable to inform a narrative that each defined the idea of the sport nicely sufficient to welcome these new to the franchise and fulfill followers who’ve been enjoying for many years? At the moment, it’s a blended bag amongst critics as as to if or not they efficiently managed to tug that off.

Contemplating that it’s an open-world recreation, studio heads have been very conscious that their film was simply one in every of 1000’s of prospects. Director Jared Hess instructed Variety that “We’re not the official story,” including, “We’re not canonizing something. We’re simply one in every of a zillion tales.”

Mary Father or mother, chairman of worldwide manufacturing for Legendary, echoed this, stating, “We’re calling it ‘A Minecraft Film’ as a result of we’re respecting the truth that there’s nobody story that drives the sport.”

That being mentioned, Hess does have concepts for extra tales. Hess instructed Games Radar, “Oh, it’d be a lot enjoyable” if he was requested to direct one other movie. “I imply, look, there’s the world’s infinite, so many superb mods and characters and biomes we have not explored but, so it might be superb.”

Personally, I take pleasure in Jack Black’s humorousness and was aware of the sport, so I used to be proper consistent with the audience and did benefit from the movie. Nevertheless, there have been parts of the plot that have been complicated and appeared to primarily be glossed over in favor of a comic book distraction.

The performing was spot-on, however there gave the impression to be an excessive amount of of an emphasis on Black and Jason Momoa, in my view. The ever-funny Danielle Brooks virtually appears to be wasted as soon as the story actually will get going.

Stephen Thompson of NPR appeared to agree. In his review, he states, “Turning Minecraft right into a film presents a problem, as a result of the movie has lots of character improvement to atone for. However, as The Lego Film and Barbie have demonstrated, it is potential to get it spectacularly proper.”

Contemplating that the film appears primarily focused to youngsters, it was by no means going to enchantment to everybody. Maxwell Rabb of the Chicago Readergave a very harsh evaluation, writing, “A Minecraft Film feigns creativity by hollowing out a reputation model and inserting a zombified story that does little greater than capitalize on (or cannibalize) the title.”

Dan Jolin of Empire Magazine additionally felt that the movie fell flat, writing, “A hyperactive hot-pink mess of a film, which fails to raise its cubic supply materials and revels in that failure prefer it’s reaching one thing.”

Though “A Minecraft Film” could not enchantment to all audiences, the limitless creativity of the online game itself does encourage the concept there are extra films but to come back. And, if nothing else, its success on the field workplace all however confirms that in a world of dying IPs, Minecraft remains to be shining like its coveted diamond armor.