Film REVIEW: A Minecraft Movie (2025) - ★★★★★

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
May 3
5 min read

Updated: May 4

For cuboids on steroids, look no further than A Minecraft Movie. From Jason Momoa (Dune: Part One, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) ’s all-you-can-eat role preparation to Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age)’s Oscar hopes, here’s your complete guide to the live action Minecraft movie.

Director: Jared Hess

Writer: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, Chris Galletta, Alison Schroeder

based on Minecraft by Mojang Studios

Stars: Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hansen, Jennifer Coolidge.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Themes: Minecraft, Steve Character, Zombie.

Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected expert crafter.

The film received mixed reviews from critics.

MIX UP REVIEWS:

Ben (Age 6 ) and sister Freya: ★★★★★

"Ben and Freya thought the Minecraft Movie was really good. There were funny bits and lines where everyone in the cinema already knew what the characters were going to say and we all shouted it out together."

Have you seen it?

Is Minecraft really getting a movie? Minecraft film buzz and backstory

It shouldn’t surprise anyone who can read a sales graph that the Minecraft movie is in the pipeline. Since launching in 2011, this smash-hit sandbox video game has shifted 300 million copies. And while the infamous ‘ugly Sonic’ scandal of 2019 is a warning from history that adapting a beloved console IP can be a poisoned chalice, you can relax and grab your Netherite pickaxe for A Minecraft Movie, because Jared Hess (Nacho Libre) has got this.

“I just can't disappoint the 10-year-olds,” the Napoleon Dynamite director told The Salt Lake Tribune, “or they're going to murder us…”

Minecraft movie plot - What happens in the live action Minecraft movie?

If you’ve played Minecraft, you’ll know the aim is basically to roam, forage and survive in an endless cubic landscape that looks like it was created by a gifted ten-year-old in a 1980s computing lesson. Doing all of this is incredibly addictive on a console, but left director Jared Hess with the challenge of cooking up a compelling film plot.

So here’s the official pitch: ‘Four misfits – Garrett ‘The Garbage Man’ Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers - Family Switch) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks - The Angry Birds Movie, Close Enough) – are pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get home, they'll have to master this world (and protect it from Piglins and Zombies) while embarking on a magical quest with an expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black)’.

As Hess told IGN, this Jumanji-style jump-off salutes the original game while raising the stakes. “It just felt really fun to take a group of unlikely heroes, underdogs, and throw them into this world and put them on this crazy adventure, and ultimately having them kind of experience as you create in the game, but being able to craft your own destiny.”

As for Minecraft creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, he was blown away: “For a movie about a game with literally zero plot, it looks surprisingly fun.”

Live action Minecraft movie format - Why did they choose actors over animation?

Back in 2017, Mattel Action and Atomic Cartoons launched an official Minecraft animation series (alongside the ton of fan-created footage). But when news broke of A Minecraft Movie, the big reveal was this full-length feature’s live action format.

“It’s not something that’s been seen before on this scale,” says Jared Hess. “Creators have made such amazing stories, short films and content in the animation space. This is a chance for us to do something different.”

“There was always going to be live action,” producer Torfi Frans Olafsson told IGN. “We try to explore this wish fulfillment of what it is like to be yourself in a physical, tangible Minecraft universe.”

Cast of A Minecraft Movie - Who is going to play Steve in the Minecraft movie?

Hollywood’s heavyweights have signed up for the Minecraft movie – and they don’t come bigger than Jack Black as the master crafter Steve. “I’m in a little movie called Minecraft,” deadpanned the comedy legend. “I don’t want to brag but it’s kind of a big deal. An actor prepares, so I have literally been exclusive to Minecraft for the last month-and-a-half. All Minecraft, all the time. Just Steve-in’ it up in the Minecraft universe.”

Fellow A-lister Jason Momoa told Kelly Clarkson it was a relief to lose his Aquaman six-pack to play Garrett, the gone-to-seed Gamer Of The Year 1989. “Now, I’m eating pasta every meal and it feels good. I’m getting ready for Minecraft, you know? It’s bulking season.”

Meanwhile, look out for Emma Myers (Wednesday), Danielle Brooks and Sebastian Hansen as kooky Natalie, sassy Dawn and wide-eyed young crafter Henry. Matt Berry (The Wild Robot, Snow White and the Huntsman), Kate McKinnon (Barbie, Finding Dory), Jemaine Clement (Harold And The Purple Crayon, Despicable Me) and Jennifer Coolidge (Click, Zoolander) will also appear in roles still to be confirmed.

Minecraft live action trailer - What happens in the footage so far?

The Minecraft trailer is anarchic, rocket-paced and packed with lore to make gamers’ eyes light up. We’ve already seen everything from the diamond sword to the ender pearl – and just wait until the villainous Piglins and Ghasts show up.

Minecraft movie trivia - What's a fun fact about the new Minecraft film?

Better get ready to etch Jack Black’s name onto the Best Actor Oscar, says the Jumanji funnyman. “I think the members of the Academy will appreciate my research later. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting an Oscar for this one...”

Minecraft movie age rating - Is the Minecraft movie appropriate for kids?

Relax: the Minecraft video game isn’t in the same league as bloodbaths like Mortal Kombat or Call Of Duty – and you can expect similar levels of violence-lite on the big screen. So you shouldn’t have to deal with anything more traumatic than a crudely pixelated chicken cooked in lava.

Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or casual fan, this is definitely one to watch, just take it from original Minecraft creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, who can’t believe his Java-generated game is suddenly a big-screen A-list spectacular. “OK, I'm in,” gaped the programmer after watching the Minecraft trailer. “I’m all for the spectacle…”