Cinemas crack down on Minecraft Movie chaos after viral Chicken Jockey trend

The Minecraft Movie is a certified box office hit, but it's also sparked absolute chaos in theaters. Thanks to a viral TikTok trend, some fans — mostly kids, let’s be honest — are going feral during screenings. The moment Jack Black’s Steve yells “chicken jockey” has become a trigger for screaming, popcorn tossing, and even (we wish we were joking) someone bringing a live chicken to a showing.

So yeah, it’s gotten out of hand.

Cinemas are now playing a special warning before the movie starts. The message? Don’t throw your popcorn. Don’t scream like you’re being chased by creepers. And definitely don’t treat the cinema like your Minecraft server.

"Popcorn buckets are not to be used as Ender Pearls."

That’s the actual warning being played in some places.

Jack Black even joined the effort. In one now-viral clip, he stood in front of a theater asking fans directly to cut it out:

“Absolutely no ‘chicken jockey!’”

But not everyone’s mad about it. Director Jared Hess, who’s also known for Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, thinks it’s hilarious.

“Just the fact that people are making memories at the movies — that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “I never could have anticipated this level of passion and fun and craziness that’s happening.”

The Minecraft Movie launched earlier this month and made a massive $301 million worldwide in its opening weekend. That’s more than The Super Mario Bros. Movie did in the same timeframe — and it basically guarantees a sequel is coming. Hess has already teased plans for where the story could go next, and with numbers like that, Warner Bros. is probably already stacking blocks for part two.

As for reviews? Mixed. Critics aren’t blown away, but no one expected Citizen Steve. Most agree it’s a fun, light, one-time watch — full of colorful animation, goofy action, and just enough Minecraft references to keep fans grinning. It’s got a few jokes thrown in for the parents, but mostly it plays like a kid’s dream come to life: a bright, fantasy adventure with Endermen, creepers, and yes, chicken jockeys.

It doesn’t try to be deep. It doesn’t need to be. This is exactly the kind of movie you take the whole family to when you want something easy, loud, and funny — without overthinking it. Honestly, if it weren’t for the popcorn war happening in cinemas, this would be a chill win for everyone involved.

Still, if you're planning to see it soon: keep your snacks in your lap. The mobs are already wild enough on screen.