The world’s biggest video game is now looking to be the box office’s biggest savior, as Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures’ A Minecraft Movie begins its big screen quest with a projected $100 million-plus domestic start. The film, which opened on April 2, 2025, earned $10.55 million in Thursday previews, setting a new record for video game adaptations and surpassing the previous record held by Five Nights at Freddy’s, which earned $10.3 million in 2023.
Directed by Jared Hess, known for his work on Napoleon Dynamite, the film stars a high-wattage ensemble including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen. It follows a group of misfits who find themselves trapped in the iconic cubic universe of Minecraft, where they must navigate challenges and collaborate with the expert crafter Steve (played by Jack Black) to return home.
As the film gears up for its opening weekend, projections have soared from initial estimates of $70 million to a more optimistic $100 million-plus, fueled by strong presales and buzz among fans. This surge in expectations comes at a crucial time for theaters, which have been struggling with a disappointing March that saw total box office earnings fail to even reach $400 million. The last time March totals fell that low, unadjusted for inflation, was in 1995.
Despite mixed critical reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 48%, audience reception appears more favorable, boasting an impressive 83% audience score. This disparity between critic and audience reactions echoes the experience of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which became a massive hit despite initial skepticism from critics.
In addition to its box office potential, A Minecraft Movie has already broken records for pre-sale ticket purchases, becoming the most pre-sold PG-rated film of 2025. The film's budget is reported to be around $150 million, which means it will need to gross approximately $375 million to break even, a challenging but achievable target given its strong start.
The film's opening weekend is projected to surpass $130 million across 4,263 theaters, making it the biggest three-day opening of the year. It is expected to outpace Captain America: Brave New World, which previously held the record with $88.8 million. The positive momentum for A Minecraft Movie is crucial for the domestic box office, which has faced a slew of underperforming titles, including Disney’s live-action Snow White, which is projected to earn only $5.7 million in its third week.
Critics have delivered a mixed bag of reviews for the film. Some have praised its imaginative approach and family-friendly appeal, while others have criticized it as another example of Hollywood recycling beloved properties without sufficient originality. One critic from the San Francisco Chronicle described it as “another example of Hollywood shoving a beloved property into the factory mold,” while Entertainment Weekly lauded its “loosey-goosey attitude” as a refreshing change in the family film landscape.
As the film continues to attract audiences, its fate will ultimately depend on whether families and gamers find it engaging enough to keep returning in the weeks ahead. If it maintains its momentum, A Minecraft Movie could ascend the ranks of the highest-grossing video game adaptations, potentially following in the footsteps of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed $1.362 billion worldwide.
With its unique premise, star-studded cast, and the backing of a beloved franchise, A Minecraft Movie is poised to become a significant player in the box office landscape. The film's success could signal a turning point for the industry, offering a much-needed boost to theaters and studios alike after a challenging start to the year.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on A Minecraft Movie to see if it can deliver on its promise and prove that video game adaptations can indeed find success on the big screen. With families eager for entertainment during the spring break period, the film's opening is not just a test of its own merits but also a crucial indicator of the health of the cinema industry moving forward.
