In a move that combines nostalgia, star power, and savvy marketing, Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. have struck gold with A Minecraft Movie. The film, based on the immensely popular 2009 block-building video game, delivered a surprising $157 million in ticket sales across North America in its opening weekend. Box office analysts had anticipated a domestic debut closer to $80 million, making this performance an unexpected triumph.
“A Minecraft Movie,” a PG-rated comedic fantasy starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, also earned an additional $144 million in international markets, further cementing its global appeal. The film, which cost $150 million to produce, benefited from Warner Bros. covering 75% of the budget, while Legendary took on the remaining share. Despite mixed reviews, the film’s success is seen as a much-needed win for Warner Bros., which has struggled with underperforming releases earlier this year, including Snow White and Mickey 17.
Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, co-chairs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, expressed their excitement in a statement, stating, “It’s an absolute blast to see moviegoers around the world coming together to celebrate their love for Minecraft.”
The film’s strong performance provides a welcome boost for Warner Bros., which has faced several box office challenges in 2025. The company’s recent releases have included flops such as Mickey 17, and several upcoming films, including the R-rated horror thriller Sinners, have left investors and theater owners nervous about future outcomes.
Legendary Entertainment played a pivotal role in bringing A Minecraft Movie to life. Initially partnered with Warner Bros. in 2019, Legendary helped refine the film’s direction, eventually replacing director Peter Sollett with Jared Hess, known for his quirky comedies like Nacho Libre and Napoleon Dynamite. Hess’s unique comedic style, combined with the star power of Momoa and Black, resonated with audiences, especially younger viewers.
Mary Parent, Legendary’s vice chairman, is credited with guiding the project through production and reimagining the film’s direction, while Josh Grode, Legendary’s CEO, emphasized the partnership’s success. “This is a great win for Warner Bros., for Legendary, and for the theatrical box office,” Grode said.
The success of A Minecraft Movie adds to Legendary’s growing track record of transforming challenging source material into successful films. The studio previously revitalized King Kong in 2017, leading to a trilogy that grossed $1.6 billion worldwide. It also played a key role in the success of Dune: Part One (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), which collectively earned over $1.1 billion.
This triumph also underscores a growing trend in Hollywood, as more video game adaptations see success at the box office. Other recent hits, such as Super Mario Bros. Movie from Universal and the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, have paved the way for A Minecraft Movie’s strong debut.
According to research from PostTrak, 43% of A Minecraft Movie‘s audience were young adults aged 18 to 24, with 35% of ticket buyers aged 13 to 17. These figures highlight the film’s ability to connect with its core demographic while appealing to a broader audience.
As the film continues to dominate the box office, the success of A Minecraft Movie offers a moment of relief for Warner Bros. and Legendary in an otherwise tumultuous year for Hollywood.
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