After nearly a decade of development and several changes in creative direction, Warner Bros. has successfully released the “Minecraft” movie in theaters. Despite initial uncertainties regarding its performance based on the trailers, the film has exceeded expectations. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie, directed by Jared Hess, garnered $157 million domestically and achieved a total of $301 million during its opening weekend. Domestically, the film surpassed previous analyst projections, outperforming 2023’s “Super Mario Bros.” for the best opening for a video game adaptation. “Super Mario Bros.,” which debuted on a Wednesday, earned $146.4 million in its first three days. In addition to having the highest-grossing start for a video game movie, it holds the record for the second-biggest domestic launch since “Deadpool & Wolverine’s” $211 million in July of the previous year.
Although “Minecraft” received mixed reviews and an unfinished version of the film circulated online, these factors did not affect its popularity. The movie has been well-received by families and young fans of the game. Additionally, it faces little competition in the kid-friendly film market, save for “Snow White,” which has made $168.4 million globally as of this weekend. Audiences appear to enjoy the performances of Jack Black and Jason Momoa in the film.
Throughout the rest of April, several films targeting adult audiences are expected to be released, including “Drop” and “Warfare” on April 11, “Sinners” on April 18, and “Until Dawn” and “Accountant 2” on April 25. Family-friendly films such as “Legend of Ochi” on April 18 and “King of Kings” on April 11 are also scheduled for release. However, it remains to be seen whether the popularity of “Minecraft” will overshadow these upcoming releases.
