By Kevin Tran
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for A Minecraft Movie.
Minecraft is a game we all know and love—an iconic sandbox experience that gives players the freedom to explore, build and create however they want. Personally, I’m a big Minecraft fan myself. I used to create lots of survival multiplayer servers with my friends,and it’s a game I’ve truly grown up with and enjoyed throughout the years.
When the trailer for A Minecraft Movie was released on Sept. 4, 2024, I’ll admit I had my doubts. Seeing Minecraft’s pixelated world turned into a live-action setting felt jarring and the mob designs looked more uncanny than the mobs we see in the game. I wasn’t sure if the film could truly capture the spirit of Minecraft.
With all the backlash surrounding the trailer, I honestly thought the film was going to be another failed game-to-movie adaptation.
When the official movie was released on April 5, 2025, I still went to the theater the very next day. Despite my doubts, I watched it anyway as I was curious about how the movie would play out. But after watching it, I was surprised.
The story follows four main characters: Garrett, siblings Henry and Natalie and real estate agent Dawn, who are transported into a blocky Overworld after going through a mysterious portal. Guided by Steve, they embark on a quest to defeat Malgosha, the piglin ruler of the Nether, who seeks to dominate the Overworld using the Orb of Dominance.
Although the plot of “real-world characters entering the fictional world” has been overused in many movies and TV shows like Ready Player One and Jumanji, A Minecraft Movie manages to keep things fresh with its unique setting, humor and surprisingly heartfelt moments.
I initially thought the realistic, blocky Minecraft mobs would make me think negatively of the film, but I was really surprised by some of them, especially the piglins. They looked incredibly cool in live-action and their design fit perfectly with the dark, eerie atmosphere of the Nether.
The movie also features several cameos from popular Minecraft content creators. For example, the iconic YouTuber DanTDM appears briefly as a background character in one of the scenes—a fun easter egg for longtime fans.
Additionally, during one of the scenes in the Overworld, there’s a pig wearing a crown—an emotional tribute to Technoblade, the legendary Minecraft content creator who passed away in June 2022 from metastatic sarcoma. In a touching moment, Steve points to the crowned pig and says, ‘’That’s a legend.’’
I really loved this cameo—it was sad knowing he wasn’t able to watch it, but the movie still paid its respects. Technoblade was well-known for his incredible player-versus-player (PvP) skills in Minecraft and this tribute felt meaningful to the community.
Beyond the cameos, the movie was extremely humorous—definitely one of the funnier films I’ve watched in a while. Jack Black (Steve) and Jason Momoa (Garrett) really carried the film’s comedic moments, bringing their signature energy and charm. Both actors are known for their comedic timing, and it definitely showed in their performances.
Even before the movie came out, people were already making memes from the trailers, especially of Steve saying things in an exaggerated, funny way. Lines like “Flint and steel,” “Chicken jockey” and “I… am Steve” quickly became one of the internet’s favorite memes.
I remember when I was watching the movie and the lines Steve appeared exactly like in the trailer—the audience around me started repeating them and cheering. Out of all the movies I’ve watched, A Minecraft Movie definitely had the most audience participation. It felt more like a shared experience rather than just a regular screening.
The soundtrack of this movie also deserves its praise—there were subtle nods to Minecraft’s calming music and some scenes even used it to create emotional impact.
In the end, A Minecraft Movie definitely exceeded my expectations. Although it wasn’t perfect, it is a movie that will definitely keep you entertained. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just someone who played a few times with friends, there’s something here for everyone. I would give this movie an 8/10.
