REVIEW - A Minecraft Movie (2025)

A Blocky Adventure That Builds Fun for All Ages

Let’s be honest—when it comes to video game movies, expectations can be all over the place. But A Minecraft Movie doesn’t try to overcomplicate things. It knows exactly what it is: a colorful, fast-paced adventure aimed at younger audiences with just enough heart and humor to keep everyone else—especially parents—along for the ride.

Directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) and starring Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebastian Hansen, A Minecraft Movie dives headfirst into the pixelated chaos of the Overworld. When the world faces an apocalyptic threat, an unlikely group of heroes must band together and embark on a quest to save it—all while embracing the quirks, logic, and charm of the game it’s based on.

As someone who’s spent more hours than I care to admit building, crafting, and surviving in Minecraft, I had a blast spotting the countless nods to the source material. From redstone contraptions to blocky mobs and crafting table gags, this movie is absolutely filled with in-jokes and details fans of the game will appreciate. In fact, there’s so much packed into it that you’re almost guaranteed to catch more on a second watch.

And even if you’ve never played a minute of the game, the story is simple enough to follow and funny enough to enjoy. It’s very clearly geared toward kids, but what surprised me most was how much humor there is for adults too. Parents, don’t worry—if you’re bringing your little ones to see it, you won’t be stuck counting the minutes until it’s over. The pacing is tight, the jokes are frequent, and the movie moves with a goofy, self-aware energy that works in its favor.

Jason Momoa was the biggest surprise for me. Known more for his action-heavy roles, he brings a fun, goofy charm to his character that shows off his comedic side in a way we don’t get to see nearly enough. He leans fully into the humor, and it pays off big time. Jack Black also brings his usual animated energy, and the cast as a whole really gets the tone of what this movie is going for.

The animation blends a stylized cinematic look with the familiar textures and blocky charm of the Minecraft world. It may not be the most groundbreaking visually, but it stays true to the spirit of the game, and that’s really what matters here.

Is it a perfect film? No. Some story beats feel predictable and some jokes may fly over younger kids’ heads or fall flat with older ones. But honestly, that didn’t matter much in the moment. It’s fun. It’s accessible. And it’s a solid family film that does right by the Minecraft universe.

Whether you’re a hardcore player or just tagging along with one, A Minecraft Movie offers enough fun, adventure, and clever callbacks to make it worth the trip to the theater.  A Minecraft Movie opens in theaters nationwide April 4, 2025.

Rating: 6/10