Minecraft Film Breaks Video Game Movie Record

A Minecraft Movie has shattered box office records, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie to achieve the highest domestic opening weekend ever for a video game adaptation.

Featuring Jason Momoa and Jack Black (who also starred in The Super Mario Bros. Movie), this Xbox game adaptation exceeded projections with a staggering $157 million debut in North American theaters. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, currently holding the title of highest-grossing video game film adaptation, earned $146 million domestically during its April 2023 opening weekend.

Global Success Story

A Minecraft Movie added another $144 million internationally, bringing its worldwide opening weekend total to $301 million. With reported production costs of $150 million before marketing expenses, Warner Bros. may already be seeing profits.

The film adapts Mojang's Minecraft, the best-selling video game in history. Microsoft's iconic sandbox game remains globally popular and has introduced movie-themed DLC to coincide with the film's release.

Critical Reception

IGN awarded A Minecraft Movie a 6/10 rating, praising Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess for bringing "a surprisingly specific and funny comic spin to this kid-friendly adventure, particularly in its more restrained first half."

For audiences who've seen the film, IGN offers an in-depth breakdown discussing the ending and post-credits scenes with director Jared Hess and Minecraft's Torfi Frans Ólafsson.

Hollywood Contrasts

Meanwhile, Disney's live-action Snow White struggles after a disappointing opening weekend, currently standing at $168.4 million globally ($77.5 million domestic/$90.9 million international). With its reported $250 million production budget, achieving a Mufasa: The Lion King-style comeback appears increasingly unlikely.