A Minecraft Movie brings the beloved, blocky world of the best-selling video game to the big screen in a live-action adventure that is both an homage to its source material and a thrilling family comedy. Directed by Jared Hess, the film follows a group of unlikely misfits who are pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld, a bizarre cubic wonderland where imagination is the key to survival.
The story begins in the real world, introducing us to a quartet of characters struggling with their own mundane problems. There's Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison (Jason Momoa), a former video game champion who now runs a failing video game store. He's a man stuck in the past, unable to move on from his glory days. Then there are siblings Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and Natalie (Emma Myers), who have just moved to a new town after a personal tragedy. Henry is a creative but accident-prone youngster, while his older sister Natalie is trying to hold their family together. Finally, there’s Dawn (Danielle Brooks), a real estate agent with an unusual side hustle. Through a series of unexpected events involving a mysterious orb and a crystal, the four are suddenly transported from their everyday lives in Chuglass, Idaho, into the vibrant, block-filled world of Minecraft.
Once in the Overworld, they are initially bewildered by the new reality where everything from the ground to the animals is made of cubes. As night falls and they are attacked by zombies and other creatures, they are rescued by Steve (Jack Black), a quirky and eccentric expert crafter who has been living in the Overworld for years. Steve, with his over-the-top personality and deep knowledge of the game's mechanics, becomes their unlikely mentor, teaching them the basics of crafting, building, and survival.
The central conflict of the film arises when the group learns that they must embark on a quest to find a way back home while also protecting the Overworld from a sinister new threat. The villain is Malgosha, the gold-obsessed leader of the Piglins from the hellish dimension known as the Nether. Malgosha, who despises creativity, is determined to steal the orb that brought the heroes to the Overworld and use its power to block out the sun and destroy the creative spirit of the world.
A Minecraft Movie excels at translating the game's core concepts into a fun and engaging narrative. The film is packed with visual gags and clever references that will delight fans, from the sound effects of blocks being placed to the appearance of iconic mobs and items. The live-action approach, combined with impressive CGI, creates a world that is both recognizable to players and visually compelling to a general audience.
The film's strength lies in its performances, particularly the chemistry between the main cast. Jason Momoa delivers a comedic performance as the washed-up gamer Garrett, while Jack Black's manic energy as Steve is the perfect embodiment of a character who has embraced the absurdity of his blocky existence. Sebastian Hansen and Emma Myers bring heart and sincerity to their roles as the sibling duo, grounding the fantastic adventure with a relatable emotional core. A Minecraft Movie is a rollicking adventure that celebrates the power of creativity, teamwork, and friendship, proving that even a world made of blocks can contain a story with real heart.
A Minecraft Movie is a 2025 adventure movie.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 45.
