Warner Bros’. “A Minecraft Movie” was finally released on April 4, 2025, and critics and fans were divided on how to feel. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 46% critic score and an 87% audience score, proof that viewers were far more favorable than professional reviewers. And you can see why after watching it.
“A Minecraft Movie” has one of the weakest plots I’ve ever seen. Everything about it is cookie-cutter and predictable. The story follows four people who find a crystal and get teleported into the Overworld from “Minecraft.” Meanwhile, the Piglins from the Nether are trying to steal the crystal to invade and take over the Overworld in order to mine gold. Predictably, the Piglins are defeated, and the four characters return home, and they bring Steve with them.
The characters themselves are entirely forgettable (I had to Google their names before writing this). They each have one, maybe two, defining traits. Natalie is a stressed sister who cares for her brother, and that’s about it. Garrett is an 80s-style macho man, clearly there for comic relief. Henry, Natalie’s brother, is smart and creative but struggles to make friends. And Dawn? She contributes maybe two lines of dialogue, mild comic relief at best.
You could’ve just had Jack Black play himself, and it wouldn’t change anything about the character of Steve, which is a real letdown for the main player character of the most-played game of all time.
Another weak point of A Minecraft Movie is its dialogue. There’s no subtlety; characters always say exactly what they’re thinking.
If Natalie thinks Henry is a loser who can’t make friends, she just says it. If Garrett wants to abandon the group for diamonds and riches, he says so. If Steve plans to betray the Piglins, he declares it to their leader’s face.
The movie’s worst moment comes when Steve is introduced. The group is surrounded by zombies at night, seemingly doomed until Steve arrives, slaying every zombie in sight. You’d expect a dramatic, intense score to back the scene. Instead, they play “Lil Boo Thang” by Paul Russell.
Yes, the same song used in Target and Walmart commercials is played during the most action-packed scene in the film. It made the entire moment and the movie feel like a parody. With all these negatives, I would typically rate a movie like this a 3 out of 10. But “A Minecraft Movie” is oddly lovable.
Despite the poor dialogue, there’s ironic enjoyment in hearing Jack Black say, “This is a (insert what’s on screen)” every few minutes. The film clearly cares about its source material. Much of the music consists of orchestral renditions of C418’s original “Minecraft” soundtrack, which was a welcome surprise. There’s even a tribute to the late YouTuber Technoblade: a pig wearing a crown walks by, and Steve says, “That’s a legend.” YouTuber DanTDM makes a cameo, and Jeb Bergensten, one of Minecraft’s original creators, also appears. The visuals are stunning. The CGI is beautiful, better than in many major films with twice the budget.
Objectively, “A Minecraft Movie” is technically terrible. It lacks a plot, compelling characters, and stakes. But it’s undeniably fun. I had more fun watching this film than I’ve had with some objectively “better” movies.
It’s a movie that is best enjoyed with friends. I went with a group, and I don’t think I would’ve had as much fun alone or watching at home.
“A Minecraft Movie” is deeply flawed so flawed it somehow loops back around to being good. I can’t recommend the film on its own merits, but I’ll gladly recommend grabbing your friends, turning your brain off, and enjoying this unexpected gem. That said, the fun theater experience can’t completely redeem the movie.
I rate “A Minecraft Movie” a 6 out of 10, but it’s the most fun and memorable 6 out of 10 I’ve ever seen.
