The release of A Minecraft Movie has been nothing short of a blockbuster event, but one particular scene has sparked chaos in theaters worldwide. The infamous "chicken jockey" moment, a nod to the beloved video game, has turned screenings into frenzied spectacles, with fans erupting into cheers, chants, and even popcorn-throwing mayhem.
The "chicken jockey" scene features Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, facing off against a baby zombie riding a chicken in a boxing ring. When Steve exclaims "Chicken jockey!" in his signature comedic style, audiences have been losing their minds. This phrase, referencing a rare Minecraft mob, has become a rallying cry for fans, leading to wild reactions in theaters.
Social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) are flooded with videos of moviegoers chanting "Chicken jockey!" at the top of their lungs, throwing popcorn, and even mimicking the scene by carrying each other on their shoulders. Some theaters have reported vandalism, with seats damaged and food scattered across aisles. In extreme cases, police have been called to restore order, as seen in viral clips from screenings in the U.S.
One theater in New Jersey has even implemented a new policy requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult for showings of A Minecraft Movie. The theater cited "unacceptable behavior" from unsupervised groups of teenagers, including disruptions and property damage. "Any minors wishing to see The Minecraft Movie MUST be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult," the New Jersey cinema posted on Facebook.
While some fans see the chaos as part of the fun, others are less amused. Theater employees have taken to social media to express frustration over the mess and disruptions, with one worker calling the experience "a living nightmare." Parents and casual moviegoers have also voiced concerns, saying the antics make it difficult to enjoy the film. On the flip side, many fans argue that the "chicken jockey" moment is a celebration of Minecraft’s quirky charm and the community’s enthusiasm. For them, the chaos is a testament to the game’s cultural impact and the movie’s ability to bring fans together.
Despite the controversy, A Minecraft Movie has shattered records, grossing over $301 million globally in its opening weekend. The film, which stars Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen alongside Black and Momoa, has become the highest-grossing video game adaptation debut, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
There’s no such thing as bad publicity, and if that is true, then A Minecraft Movie has been getting the best run of publicity that any film release could hope for thanks to mobs of rowdy cinemagoers causing uproar across the globe on its opening weekend. However, this has also led to contradictions in opinions between theater owners and the movie’s director, who has actively encouraged people going to see the movie to continue "making memories." At this point, no one needs to be told that this all revolves around the seemingly innocent, almost quaint-sounding, phrase of "Chicken Jockey." The trend has become a viral sensation on social media in the last several days, almost making people forget potential World Wars and the billions of dollars wiped off a collapsing stock market. Not all bad then.
But with every viral trend comes the question of what happens when it goes too far. With theaters already having to call in the police in some cases to evict overly enthusiastic groups of mostly teenage boys, and one person even turning up at the cinema with a live chicken, the escalation has led to some theaters imposing bans on minors attending screenings without an adult. One New Jersey cinema posted a message on their Facebook page, stating, "Any minors wishing to see The Minecraft Movie MUST be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Unaccompanied groups of boys will not be admitted." This action was taken after seats were broken and items thrown were causing potential health risks to other cinemagoers and damaging the screens.
In the UK, some Cineworld cinemas have removed their social media posts condemning the "shocking behavior," and replaced them with notes of special 4DX "Chicken Jockey" screenings, which incorporate the use of water, wind machines, and moving seats to allow those wanting to be more vocal during the film to really let themselves go. Chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, Phil Clapp, said, "At a time when some wrongly claim that young people are foregoing the cinema experience, it’s great to see such a high level of engagement, and our message to those coming along to these screenings would be one of welcome and to please enjoy themselves. We would also ask those coming along to be mindful of the enjoyment of other cinemagoers and not to create extra work for cinema staff by, for example, throwing popcorn around, and of course not to use their phones to record any part of the film."
Jared Hess, the director of A Minecraft Movie, is among those who have been incredibly happy to see the unprecedented wave of publicity his film has been getting, which has helped turn the movie from a predicted box office dud into potentially the biggest movie of the year. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hess said of the chaos surrounding screenings: "It's been so bananas. It's been way too fun. People are sending me these really hilarious speeches that a lot of teenagers are giving right before the movie. It's so hysterical, man. I'm staying up way too late. It's weird when you're having too much fun and the cops get called. It's funny because I think it's just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn. Yeah, it's hilarious. I've seen so many funny videos. It's great, especially when people are climbing on their friends' shoulders and standing up and cheering for those moments. It's like this crazy anticipation. But, man, I'm just glad people are making memories with their friends and families."
As the movie heads into its second weekend, the surge in interest in A Minecraft Movie has elevated by the emergence of the "Chicken Jockey," and exactly how far it can carry the movie is something that will become apparent soon. With a robust box office performance and a cultural phenomenon unfolding in theaters, the film is set to remain in the spotlight for weeks to come.
