Both The Lego Movie and Barbie have proven that great films can come from the most unexpected places. So, as much as the trailers tried to convince me otherwise, I walked into A Minecraft Movie with an open mind, hoping it might turn out to be something decent.
Released just a week after the premiere of Apple TV+’s The Studio—a satire that hilariously skewers the kind of content studios churn out—Minecraft arrived already branded as “the Kool-Aid movie” (a joke from The Studio’s first episode about the absurdity of IP-based filmmaking). Critics quickly pounced, framing it as a symbol of everything wrong with these adaptations. And yes, it is all that: an extremely shallow, easy cash grab. But it’s not the cinematic apocalypse.
In terms of quality and structure, it reminded me a lot of 2023’s Super Mario Bros. Movie. Like Mario, it’s built around pleasing fans—nostalgia over narrative, cameos over character arcs. I’ve never actually played Minecraft, but even I could tell it was winking at the audience every time a pig wore a crown or a crafting joke popped up and the camera paused for two seconds. The plot exists mostly to move the characters from one set piece to another, with just enough connective tissue to keep things from completely falling apart.
Outside of these gimmicky references, the film barely utilizes the source material. For a property built on creativity and construction, the idea of building is only present in a couple of defense mechanisms early on—and later, in some light weapon forging. But even then, it’s never explored in a clever or meaningful way, and certainly never becomes central to the story or anyone’s arc. The world also feels more like a Minecraft-themed amusement park—with no clear rules—than a fully realized, lived-in space. This is just a silly adventure movie that happens to take place in the Minecraft universe, ticking off all the expected beats.
There’s a brother-sister dynamic at the core, but it’s thin and carries very little emotional weight. As for the supporting cast, Jason Momoa and Jack Black both try hard—maybe too hard—to be funny. They’re not terrible, but their energy often borders on grating. Jack Black does get to show off his musical chops again, which is always fun, but it also feels like a rerun of Mario’s best bit.
Is it annoying? Yes. Unoriginal? Definitely. Bland? Absolutely. But Minecraft still isn’t truly boring. Unlike something like Borderlands (2024)—a film that shows just how bad these kinds of adaptations can get—Minecraft keeps moving and even lands a few solid laughs, mostly thanks to Jennifer Coolidge, who basically reprises her White Lotus character (which I’ll always gladly take). There’s also a surprisingly funny moment near the end involving knives that actually works.
I just wish the movie had done more with its world, given the characters more emotionally grounded relationships, or pushed past its cliché-ridden story. But ultimately, it’s another case of a kids’ film that plays it far too safe. The younger audience might have fun, but they deserve better.