‘A Minecraft Film’ Is Already Mining For A Sequel

When “A Minecraft Film” was initially introduced, I had issues that it was going to undergo the identical destiny because the “Borderlands” film, which is at present sporting a ten % approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.

Not solely was it a field workplace flop, however it additionally appeared to tank the concept that audiences have been inquisitive about motion pictures 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 funds of $150 million, it’s clear that Warner Bros. and Common Footage 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 awesome two thumbs-up.

Not solely did it gross over $300 million worldwide, greater than doubling its funds, however it additionally turned the fourth-highest-grossing movie of 2025. That quantity is predicted 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 dad and mom someplace to take their youngsters on a wet weekend.

Because the film confirmed, Minecraft is admittedly 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’ll be able to craft weapons and hunt monsters. You’ll be able to construct homes, cities, and even mechanical gadgets: the selection is yours.

The issue is, with such a giant sandbox, how would writers have the ability to inform a narrative that each defined the idea of the sport properly sufficient to welcome these new to the franchise and fulfill followers who’ve been taking part in for many years? Presently, it’s a blended bag amongst critics as as to whether or not they efficiently managed to drag 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 hundreds of potentialities. Director Jared Hess instructed Selection that “We’re not the official story,” including, “We’re not canonizing something. We’re simply one in every of a zillion tales.”

Mary Dad or mum, 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 Video 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 wonderful mods and characters and biomes we have not explored but, so it might be wonderful.”

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

The appearing 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 overview, he states, “Turning Minecraft right into a film presents a problem, as a result of the movie has lots of character improvement to compensate 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 overview, 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 identify.”

Dan Jolin of Empire Journal 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” might not enchantment to all audiences, the countless creativity of the online game itself does encourage the concept that there are extra motion pictures 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 continues to be shining like its coveted diamond armor.