Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ ambitious video game adaptation is playing in over 4,200 theatres across the country, eclipsing previous records set by Captain America: Brave New World and Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Thursday night previews alone brought in $10.55 million, surpassing Freddy’s previous record of $10.3 million for a video game adaptation. By midday Friday, ticket sales hit $50 million, with projections pushing the total opening even higher. With global projections hinting at a $150 million debut, the $150 million-budgeted film is well on its way to financial success.
Directed by Jared Hess and featuring stars like Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks, the film follows four misfit teens transported into Minecraft’s Overworld. They must survive and adapt using the game’s signature mechanics to return home.
While critics are mixed, with reviews averaging around 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, audience response is overwhelmingly positive. Fan ratings from PostTrak show strong support across age groups, particularly among Gen Z and families with young children.
Strategic digital marketing and social media buzz, including over 772 million social interactions, have propelled the film beyond traditional metrics. Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Emma Myers alone account for over 60 million followers, amplifying reach.