The movie Minecraft, based on the game of the same name, has made a triumphant start in US cinemas, grossing an impressive $157 million in its first weekend.
This result exceeded all expectations and became the best debut for a video game adaptation in history, surpassing the animated film Super Mario Brothers at the Movies by Nintendo and Illumination, which earned $146 million at the start of 2023.
However, the palm remains with Mario at the global box office, with $377 million in the first weekend. Nevertheless, according to Variety, “Minecraft at the Movies” has already earned about $301 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-profile releases 2025.
Before the premiere, analysts cautiously predicted that the film would gross between $70-90 million over the weekend. However, the reality turned out to be much more impressive, despite the lukewarm reception from critics – the film received only 49% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Minecraft strikes at the heart of a mass audience, from children to adults. Such projects are created for the audience, not for critics. When a movie becomes a hit, all previous calculations lose meaning,” analyst David A. Gross explained.
The movie stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Daniel Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen.
The plot revolves around four unlucky people who accidentally fall through a mysterious portal into the world of Minecraft – an unusual, cubic wonderland where everything is built on imagination. To find their way back home, the heroes will have to adapt to the new laws of reality and form a team. An unexpected mentor will appear on their path. This experienced master will help them unleash their potential and survive the most dangerous trials.