Summary
A Minecraft Moviehas been met with mixed reviews across the board, with some fans absolutely loving itbut others hating it. Regardless of opinion, the movie has spawned a ton of viral moments both in the movie and from fans' reactions in theaters.
The film is littered with references to the games, some on the nose, such as main character Steve and the inclusion of the Nether, but there are a few blink-and-miss-it moments that only the eagle-eyed and biggestMinecraftfans will have spotted from the video game adaptation.
10The Opening
A Nod To The Game’s Loading Screen
At the very beginning of the movie, the screen loads up just like the classicMinecraftgames did, with a box filling up and then transitioningto a loading barthat displays the title “Building Terrain.”
This opening made perfect sense for the film, as it appeals to long-time fans who remember experiencing Minecraft in this way. Additionally, as the movie loaded, it created a nostalgic atmosphere. This iconic loading screen is a significant moment in gaming history, and its inclusion in the first Minecraft movie was a fantastic tribute.
9Steve’s Stash
The Inventory Is Filled With Items From The Game
Before the adventurers set out on their quest, Steve welcomed them to his stash in the village, which was filled with a variety of items taken directly from the games. Some of these items, like the Ender Pearl and the Crafting Table, were specifically mentioned and used in this scene to create some epic tools.
Briefly shown on screen is a collection of goodies where fans can spot several recognizable items from the games. Among these are the Turtle Shell Helmet, Spyglass, and Lantern. Although these items were seen, they were not used in the movie.
8References To Jared Hess' Previous Movies
May Be Ones For Older Fans
The director ofA Minecraft Movieis Jared Hess, who is also known for his work onNapoleon DynamiteandNacho Libre, the latter also featuring Jack Black.
A recurring joke inNapoleon Dynamiteinvolves tater tots, as the main character is known for storing these delicious fried potatoes in his pocket. InA Minecraft Movie, this treat makes a reappearance when Natalie prepares a tater tot pizza for breakfast, serving asa nice nod to Hess’s earlier film. Later in the movie, Garrett battles a Chicken Jockey, reminiscent of an iconic scene fromNacho Libre.
7Minecraft Legends
Some Characters From The Spin-Off Game
A Minecraft Movie features a variety of mobs from the game, with prominent appearances by Sheep, Wolves, and Villagers. However, it also includes creatures from Minecraft’s spin-off game,Minecraft Legends.
One notable addition fromMinecraft Legendsis the Great Hog, which serves as a significant boss for Steve and his allies to confront. In fact, the film draws inspiration from the spin-off title for its overall plot, as the objective in that game is to stop the Piglins from taking over the Overworld, which is exactly what happens in the movie.
6A Brand-New Mob-Type
This One Is Not From The Games
A completely new type of mob is introduced inA Minecraft Movie. Iron Golems are familiar figures in Minecraft, appearing early in the game’s life cycle and typically found in villages where they protect the villagers from hostile mobs.
In contrast, the Swift Golem, which is crafted using Boots of Swiftness in the movie, is entirely new and much faster than its regular counterparts. It plays a significant role in the final act of the battle as the protagonists confront the Piglin army. While theBoots of Swiftness exist in the game, they do not look different from other boots as they do in the movie.
5Mojang Staff Cameos
Some Are Featured Throughout
The movie is filled with cameos and hidden references, but one detail that casual fans might miss is the brief appearance of two staff members from Mojang Studios, the developers ofMinecraft.
Jens Bergensten, the chief creative officer and lead developer ofMinecraft, makes a small cameo as a waiter in the scene with Vice Principal Marlene and the Nitwit Villager. He is better known by his nickname, Jeb, and has a secret appearance in the game: if players name a sheep “jeb_,” the sheep’s wool will change colors. Another cameo features Torfi Frans Olafsson, a creative director forMinecraft, who appears as a member of Natalie’s self-defense class towards the end of the movie.
4YouTuber Cameos
Gamers May Recognize Some Faces
InA Minecraft Movie, the cameos are plentiful. In the storage unit sale scene early in the film,four popular Minecraft YouTubersmake brief appearances as members of the auction. These creators are DanTDM (Daniel Robert Middleton), Aphmau (Jessica Bravura), Mumbo Jumbo (Oli Brotherhood), and LDShadowLady (Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dwyer).
Although they appear on screen for just a few seconds and do not have any dialogue, their inclusion is significant, as each of them has contributed to the game’s success over the years. This is a thoughtful detail that other franchises should consider when developing future movie adaptations.
3A Tribute
The Character Of A Late Minecraft YouTuber
The movie included a very touching tribute. When the players arrive in the village, they encounter a pig wearing a crown, which honors the late Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade, who sadly passed away in 2022. His in-game avatar was a pig with a crown.
Adding to the emotion, Henry asks, “Whoa, is he some sort of king?” to which Steve responds, “No. That’s a legend.” This line pays homage to Technoblade’s legacy as a top Minecraft creator and recognizes his significant role in establishing the game as a cultural phenomenon. It was truly heartfelt that the movie immortalized his iconic character in this way.
2Herobrine
A Nod To The Infamous Villain
One of the most iconic myths in video game historyis that of Herobrine, a character rumored to appear inMinecraft. He resembles Steve but has pale, emotionless eyes. However, there is no code or definitive proof that Herobrine has ever existed.
In a scene where Henry meets the Endermen and encounters various illusions, one of these illusions is Steve with glowing white eyes. This serves as an obvious reference to Herobrine and suggests the possibility of including this infamousMinecraftvillain in a sequel. However, Torfi Frans Olafsson, a creative director forMinecraftand a producer of the film, has stated that this resemblance was unintentional. It has certainly intrigued some fans, nonetheless.
1Post-Credits Scene
A Famous Minecraft Character
One detail that fans may have missed, especially if they didn’t stay for the credits, is the post-credits scene featuring Alex. For those who may not know,Alex is one of the default skinsin Minecraft and is considered the secondary main character alongside Steve.
In this scene, Jack Black’s character returns to Earth and visits his old house, where he meets the new owner. Although her face is not shown, she introduces herself as Alex. The character is depicted as a redhead wearing the same green shirt as her in-game counterpart. The decision to conceal her face suggests that the producers are waiting for confirmation of a sequel before casting the role fully.
