Jason Momoa’s a Minecraft movie opens with expectations of $140m worldwide as it tries to rescue the box office
Warner Bros. is banking big on A Minecraft Movie, aiming for a $140M global opening as the box office desperately needs a hit. The movie, based on the wildly successful Mojang video game, is projected to rake in $65M domestically and $65M overseas, with the potential for even more depending on how it performs internationally.
This comes at a crucial moment, as the 2025 box office has seen a sharp decline of 11% in domestic revenues for the first quarter, and Warner Bros has suffered significant flops like Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17 and Barry Levinson’s The Alto Knights. The film industry is hoping the Minecraft movie will provide a much-needed turnaround.
The movie, directed by Jared Hess, is a $150M production, with Warner Bros funding most of the budget. The film will debut in 75 markets across 32,000 screens and benefit from premium formats like IMAX, Dolby, and motion seats. The audience? The millions of Minecraft fans worldwide, who have made the game the best-selling video game of all time, with 300 million copies sold and nearly 140 million active players monthly.
Early signs point to a strong opening, especially in key international markets. Minecraft has a huge fanbase in Germany, Brazil, China, and Australia, with France already seeing a strong start. The film is expected to dominate in markets like the UK, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil, where Minecraft has significant traction.
Despite Minecraft’s global popularity, the film’s success is not guaranteed. The film is following in the footsteps of other family-friendly hits like Sonic the Hedgehog and Jumanji, but Minecraft’s appeal is particularly strong with the younger demographic, especially men and women under 25.
In contrast, Neon’s teen slasher film Hell of a Summer will also open this weekend in 1,250 US theaters, but its projections are far less ambitious. With a modest budget of $3M, the film is expected to make just over $1M, which won’t come close to Minecraft’s massive expectations.
The Minecraft Movie has already had a world premiere in London, followed by a successful fan event in Mexico, where anticipation is high. However, the true test will be whether it can sustain momentum and truly capture the hearts of both old and new fans around the globe.
As Jason Momoa takes on the leading role, there’s a lot riding on this opening. If the Minecraft Movie succeeds in its first weekend, it could set the stage for a major franchise that could extend far beyond the first film. For now, all eyes are on the screens to see if Minecraft can rise to the challenge.
