Unexpected Reactions at the Minecraft Movie Premiere
The highly anticipated Minecraft Movie, featuring talents such as Jason Momoa and Jack Black, premiered on April 4, 2025. While it drew attention for its engaging narrative linked to the beloved video game, one particular spectator notably stirred the crowd by attending the screening with a live chicken.
Viral Video Captures the Audience’s Enthusiasm
A video shared by the X account @Dexerto on April 10, 2025, captures the excitement in the theater as the audience reacts to a pivotal scene featuring Jack Black’s character. Viewers are seen hurling popcorn at the screen, with one man hilariously brandishing a chicken before making a hurried exit, adding to the chaotic yet amusing atmosphere of the moment.
The Fascination with Chicken Jockeys Explained
The uproar appears to stem from a scene featuring a chicken jockey. For those unfamiliar, in the Mineverse game, a chicken jockey consists of a baby zombie riding on a chicken. This creature is a rare occurrence, as it can also feature variations like a baby piglin or baby villager. According to a report by Rolling Stone dated April 9, 2025, spotting a chicken jockey in the game has only a 5% chance, with the odds being substantially lower once other conditions are factored in.
How to Encounter a Chicken Jockey in Minecraft
In order to experience this unique phenomenon, players must wait for nighttime when zombies spawn. However, only baby zombies have the chance to ride a chicken, assuming one is nearby. The rarity increases significantly, as players have a mere 0.25% to 0.4875% chance of encountering a chicken jockey overall.
Reactions Leading to Theater Restrictions
The enthusiastic response to the chicken jockey scene led to police intervention at a screening in a U.S. theater due to the uproar and popcorn warfare instigated by excited children. Despite staff efforts to calm the audience, chaos ensued, prompting law enforcement to step in.
New Theater Policies in Place
In light of these events, the Electric Palace Picture House in Cannock, Staffordshire, announced a new policy prohibiting unaccompanied children under 18 from attending evening screenings of A Minecraft Movie. This decision, as noted, was taken after careful consideration of the disruptive incidents.
Director’s Take on the Situation
Commenting on the unexpected events inspired by the film, director Jared Hess shared his perspective with Entertainment Weekly on April 9, 2025:
“It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called. It’s funny because I think it’s just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn. Yeah, it’s hilarious.”
Box Office Success Despite Mixed Reviews
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, A Minecraft Movie has significantly performed at the box office, generating an impressive $163 million during its opening weekend in North America, as reported by The Guardian on April 7, 2025.