The Minecraft Movie has achieved significant success worldwide, earning an estimated $300m (£233m) during its opening weekend. Despite being heavily delayed, the movie, inspired by the popular video game, made its way to the big screen on Friday. It features a star-studded cast, including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge. The global earnings surpassed its reported production budget of $150m.
According to EntTelligence, North America contributed to approximately half of the movie’s global takings. This achievement was notable considering the mostly underwhelming reviews it received. The Telegraph gave it two stars, stating that the charm of the video game was absent, while the Guardian awarded just one star, describing its feel as “cobbled together.” Despite the negative reviews, families showed up in large numbers to watch the movie. Steve Buck, chief strategy officer at EntTelligence, stated that the film overperformed industry projections, appealing to various audiences, with a significant number being under the age of 13 and primarily male.
The success of the Minecraft movie demonstrates the immense impact of the game, which is one of the best-selling video games globally, with over 300 million copies sold. The film tells the story of four misfits who find themselves transported to the Overworld, the starting point for players in Minecraft. While there have been many failed adaptations of video game-to-film in the past, others like Sonic and The Super Mario Bros Movie have achieved remarkable success. Definition, Black, star of the movie, acknowledged the pressure to meet the expectations of fans worldwide, considering the game’s popularity and the generational significance of the movie.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy018lm793o
