‘A Minecraft Movie’ Delivers Hollywood a Much-Needed Box-Office Hit

Hollywood needed a win—and A Minecraft Movie delivered in a big way. In its opening weekend, the movie earned a stunning $157 million in the U.S. and Canada alone, with international sales adding another $144 million for a massive global debut of $301 million. And with school spring breaks still in full swing, this hit is only just getting started.

“We’re thrilled that audiences are responding so positively, and it’s clear that people are excited to go back to the theater,” said Pamela Abdy, co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. This success marks not only the biggest opening of 2025 but also the record for the highest-grossing video game adaptation to date—outpacing The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which opened at $146 million.

When analysts initially predicted a more modest $80 million for the opening, Minecraft nearly doubled expectations. “You can’t underestimate the power of earnest, entertaining cinema,” said Michael DeLuca, also co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. “People are looking for a joyful escape, especially one that the whole family can enjoy.”

Though the game itself doesn’t have a traditional narrative, its massive global fanbase—200 million active monthly players—turned out in droves. And it’s not just a hit in the U.S.; A Minecraft Movie is resonating with audiences worldwide. DeLuca described it as one of the “broadest playing movies” they’ve ever seen, meaning it’s been embraced across various global markets and theater sizes.

Directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), the PG-rated film follows an ensemble cast led by Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The story centers on their characters being transported to the Overworld, an imaginative dimension, where they embark on a perilous yet wildly entertaining adventure to find their way home.

“We made the movie for the fans, and the fans exceeded our expectations,” said DeLuca, reflecting on the positive response.

While critics had mixed reviews, audience reactions were far more promising. A Minecraft Movie earned a B+ on CinemaScore and 4/5 stars in PostTrak exit polls. It seems the film’s appeal is especially strong among younger viewers—around 64% of the audience was under 25, and about 62% were male. Warner Bros. went all-in with the film’s release, debuting in 4,263 theaters domestically and 36,000 screens internationally.

“Younger audiences love going to the movie theater, believe it or not,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “This movie’s success is a perfect example of how the small screen can translate into big-screen success. The awareness and anticipation were off the charts.”

A Minecraft Movie isn’t the only video game adaptation to find success in recent years. Films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Five Nights at Freddy’s have paved the way for video game franchises to thrive at the box office.

“The code has finally been cracked for video game adaptations,” Dergarabedian noted. “What used to be a hit-or-miss genre has now found its formula for success.”

Hollywood has faced a rough start to 2025, with several highly anticipated films underperforming, including Snow White and Mickey 17. But A Minecraft Movie’s success shows that a single hit can make a huge difference. With summer movie season just around the corner, there’s hope that the momentum will continue.

Before A Minecraft Movie opened, the box office was down by 13% compared to last year. Thanks to this big win, the gap has now shrunk to just 5%, signaling a potential recovery for the industry.

Top 10 Movies by Domestic Box Office (March 2025)

(Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore)

1. A Minecraft Movie – $157 million
2. A Working Man – $7.3 million
3. The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 2 – $7 million
4. Snow White – $6.1 million
5. The Woman in the Yard – $4.5 million
6. Death of a Unicorn – $2.7 million
7. The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 1 – $1.9 million
8. Hell of a Summer – $1.8 million
9. The Friend – $1.6 million
10. Captain America: Brave New World – $1.4 million

This major success proves that video game movies, when done right, can resonate with audiences on a massive scale. If A Minecraft Movie is any indication, Hollywood may have found the formula to turn more video games into box-office gold.