Minecraft Film Sets New Benchmark for Video Game Adaptations with Stellar U.S. Box Office Debut

A Minecraft Movie has achieved a historic box office launch, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie to claim the record for the largest domestic opening weekend for a video game adaptation.

The Xbox-inspired film, featuring Jason Momoa and Jack Black—who also appeared in The Super Mario Bros. Movie—exceeded expectations, grossing an impressive $157 million in North American theaters. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, still the highest-grossing video game adaptation overall, earned $146 million domestically during its April 2023 debut.

A Minecraft Movie added $144 million from international markets, reaching a global opening weekend total of $301 million. With a reported $150 million production budget before marketing, the film may already be in the black for Warner Bros.

A Minecraft Movie draws from Mojang’s Minecraft, the best-selling video game ever. The Microsoft-owned sandbox title remains a global favorite, with movie tie-in DLC launched to boost the film’s release.

IGN’s review of A Minecraft Movie gave it a 6/10, noting: “Director Jared Hess, known for Napoleon Dynamite, infuses A Minecraft Movie with a unique and humorous edge, particularly in its calmer first half, delivering a kid-friendly adventure.”

For those who’ve watched the film, dive into IGN’s breakdown of A Minecraft Movie’s ending and post-credits scene, featuring insights from director Jared Hess and Minecraft’s Torfi Frans Ólafsson.

In contrast, Disney’s live-action Snow White is struggling after a lackluster opening weekend. With a global box office of $168.4 million ($77.5 million domestic, $90.9 million international) against a $250 million budget, a recovery akin to Mufasa: The Lion King’s sleeper hit success seems unlikely.