Khaberni - The new film adapted from the famous video game "Minecraft" has achieved astonishing success at the American box office, becoming the highest-grossing film in the United States for 2025, and the fourth highest-grossing film globally.
At first glance, the comparison between the philosophical drama "Oppenheimer", which tells the story of the "father of the atomic bomb", and the frenzy of the "Minecraft movie" where Jack Black sings about "Lava Chicken", seems absurd. However, the language of numbers and cultural impact tells another story, as both films not only breached the billion-dollar global barrier but became a "thermometer" for measuring shifts in the industry.
While "Oppenheimer" dominated the box office in 2023, "Minecraft" today sweeps the American box office for 2025, holding the fourth place globally. However, the real connection transcends dollars, as both films embody the "major shift" in viewer behavior post-COVID-19 pandemic, where cinema has moved from "silent watching" to "an interactive collective experience". The success of "Minecraft" is not just a triumph for a video game but is the official declaration of the birth of a new generation of viewers who redefine the rituals of cinematic presentation.
Success Despite Criticism
Choosing the Minecraft game to be turned into a cinematic film was not an obvious decision, as it is a world of simple pixelated cubes, and assigning it to director Jared Hess, known for quirky comedy films like Napoleon Dynamite, was seen as a risky move by critics. The film achieved a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and some considered it a "blunt film and a poor mix of commercial hype".
The Audience Has Another Opinion
But the audience had another opinion: during the opening weekend, cinemas were packed with children and adults, who enthusiastically interacted with every meme or familiar phrase from the game, making the film a lively collective experience filled with laughter and cheerful chaos.
"Chicken Rider Chaos" Attracts Audiences
The moment when the green zombie child character enlisted a chicken on the screen, shouting "Hey, chicken rider", ignited the audience's excitement, so much so that some fans even brought their live chickens to the screenings in Utah, prompting police intervention in some cases.
British comedian Sam Avery told the BBC that watching the film with his children was "frankly the most enjoyable cinematic experience I have ever had". As for director Jared Hess, he told Entertainment Weekly: "It was so much fun.. people are making memories with their friends and families, and that's all that matters to me".
Film Designed for the Social Media Age
The audience interaction, including filming videos and posting them on TikTok and social media, is an integral part of the film experience. This has given it massive free publicity, even though some critics described the chaos at the screenings as excessive, while a wide audience enjoyed the film in a way that no longer just involves sitting silently in the hall.
Shift in Audience Preferences
The success of "Minecraft" reflects Hollywood's increasing trend toward converting video games into cinematic films, after the impact of superhero movies has waned compared to previous decades. This comes alongside the success of films like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the Super Mario Bros Movie, as well as the popularity of series like The Last of Us and Fallout.
In the end, the Minecraft movie proves that cinema post-COVID pandemic is no longer just a screen for watching a story but an interactive collective experience where the audience can participate, laugh, clap, and even throw popcorn, making the film more than just a movie, but a true cultural event.
