Minecraft Movie Tracking $60M+ Opening: But No One’s Buying Tickets?

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Warner Bros. Pictures’ “A Minecraft Movie” is set to release in three weeks and projections suggest it could debut with earnings exceeding $60 million. Some estimates predict a more varied range of $55 million to $75 million. Yet, ticket sales appear to be falling short of expectations.

Are the trailer reactions anything to go by?

It seems Deadline is optimistic about the film’s success due to the widespread popularity of Minecraft. Yet, if we consider the response from the initial trailer, which currently has over 1.8 million dislikes on YouTube – even surpassing Disney’s Snow White in negative feedback – the movie’s box office performance might not be as promising as initially expected.

Warner Bros. appears to have made adjustments in their recent trailer launches, but children I’ve consulted who played/are playing the game seem less enthusiastic about the casting, particularly Jack Black as Steve. They argue that Jack Black bears no resemblance to the character. Jason Momoa is also featured in the movie, portraying a new character, a garbage man. The initial trailer seemed to poke fun at the fan base rather than engaging them positively.

Likely front-loaded

Lately, I’ve noticed that movie openings are not as explosive as before, with audiences preferring to hear opinions from their peers first. It’s understandable given the massive fan base of Minecraft, so a Minecraft Movie might have a strong opening due to pre-existing interest. However, if the film doesn’t deliver, it could rapidly lose steam.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to mention that the initial buzz for “A Minecraft Movie” is at 13, which falls slightly below “The Super Mario Bros Movie”‘s impressive 20 (with a whopping $146M opening), but still manages to edge out “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” with its $54.3M debut.

Ticket sales

As a supporter excited for the upcoming Minecraft Movie, I must admit that its substantial budget of $150 million (before marketing costs) certainly sets high expectations. With ticket sales having begun on February 27th, I can’t help but wonder if Warner Bros. might soon find themselves in need of creative explanations, given the challenges that come with such a hefty investment.

Release Info

On April 4, 2025, the much-anticipated “Minecraft” film is set to premiere in theaters and IMAX screens across North America. The global rollout begins two days earlier on April 2, 2025.

Under the direction of Jared Hess, famously known for “Nacho Libre”, this film features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers from “Wednesday”, Danielle Brooks who was nominated for an Oscar in “The Color Purple”, Sebastian Hansen recognized from “Just Mercy”, and the talented Jennifer Coolidge.

The tale unfolds around four underdogs: Garrett “The Trash Collector” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers), and Dawn (Brooks) – each grappling with ordinary life issues. Suddenly, they’re transported into a peculiar realm called the Minecraft Overworld through an enigmatic gateway. This pixelated universe operates on imagination, and their only way back home lies in mastering survival skills and safeguarding it from Piglins, Zombies, and other threats. To accomplish their mission, they join forces with Steve (Black), a master craftsman. Throughout their journey, they rekindle their creativity – the secret ingredient for flourishing not just in Minecraft, but also in reality.

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2025-03-14 00:31