Theaters ban children from seeing Minecraft Movie alone after Jack Black's two-word phrase causes chaos
In case you needed any further proof that we're living in some twisted simulation, Jared Hess' A Minecraft Movie is breaking records and already looks like it's going to be one of 2025's biggest hits. Having secured a $163 million domestic opening as the biggest of 2025 and overtaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie's previous record for the biggest opening weekend for a video game adaptation, A Minecraft Movie is also on track to overtake Sonic the Hedgehog 2's gross in just six days.
Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks, A Minecraft Movie loosely adapts Mojang's blocky builder of the same name, with talk of a Minecraft movie first doing the rounds way back in 2014.
Things have changed a lot in that time, and after going through numerous iterations of directors and cast (without the game's creator), it's finally here. More than just going viral for defying its skeptics, A Minecraft Movie is everywhere due to one particular scene. Cinemas have already warned patrons against rowdy behavior, but now, one theater has banned children under the age of 18 from viewing A Minecraft Movie alone.
We know there are zombies in the movie, but with them being adorable little dudes instead of brain-hungry munchers, you aren't likely to see Jack Black's Steve get disembowelled by them. A Minecraft Movie has earned a PG rating from the Motion Picture Association, stating it contains "violence/action, language, suggestive/rude humor and some scary images." Considering this mellow rating, you might be wondering why children have been banned from evening showings unless accompanied by an adult.
According to the BBC, Cannock's The Electric Palace Picture House has confirmed that children aren't allowed to watch the movie unless accompanied by an adult after 18:30 BST.
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It seemingly comes in response to the disruptive behavior that A Minecraft Movie is becoming known for, especially with Jack Black's 'chicken jockey' scene. Explaining that the decision 'has not been made lightly' on Facebook, the Staffordshire-based theater said it was put in place after a series of 'disturbances' and added: "We are aware of a viral trend on TikTok encouraging people to clap/cheer, shout phrases and throw food during the film.
"We appreciate you are excited and have long awaited this film, but for everyone's comfort and enjoyment we kindly request that you do not take part in this trend."
The Electric Palace Picture House reiterated that anyone caught filming during A Minecraft Movie or being purposefully disruptive will be "ejected from the screen without refund." Elsewhere, Cineworld in Witney, Oxfordshire, has similarly warned that any anti-social behaviour will see visitors thrown out without a refund.
Still, as the chicken jockey scene becomes something of a social media trend and some moviegoers took an actual live chicken to their screening, we imagine theaters are going to have a tough time trying to tackle those rowdy crowds.
Banning kids from A Minecraft Movie reminds us of the bizarre trend where theaters pushed back against groups of teenagers attending Minions: The Rise of Gru in suits thanks to the #gentleminions trend.
Even as theaters tackle their Minecraft migraines, it seems Hess himself isn't too bothered. Discussing the chicken jockey trend with Entertainment Weekly, the director chuckled: "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."
This was probably not the response that cinema owners were hoping for.