‘Minecraft’ Eyeing $80M Second Weekend as Rowdy & Disruptive Crowds Continue

There’s certainly a big “Minecraft” audience out there. How else would you explain the legs on this movie?

Last night, the Warner Bros. video game movie took in an impressive $21M on its second Friday — it might hit $80M+ by Sunday evening. Its domestic total now stands at $220M after nine days.

‘Minecraft’ is going to easily beat new releases such as “King of Kings,” “The Amateur,” “Drop” and “Warfare.”

As commercially successful as ‘Minecraft’ might be, what’s perhaps most puzzling are the viral reactions going on inside theaters across the country. You’ve been warned: going to see “Minecraft” in theaters might entail having to deal with an annoying crowd.

This “Chicken Jockey” trend is having fans actually recording themselves while losing their minds upon the appearance of a chicken from the original video game. Kids are throwing popcorn and climbing on their friends’ shoulders in near euphoric states.

There have been reports of police being called to theaters, but ‘Minecraft’ director Jared Hess has come out in support of this behavior. He even admits to gleefully watching the chaotic videos from scenes playing in theaters

“It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called,” Hess said. “It’s funny because I think it’s just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn. Yeah, it’s hilarious. I’ve seen so many funny videos. It’s great, especially when people are climbing on their friends’ shoulders and standing up and cheering for those moments […] I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.”

Hess should tell that to cinema employees who have had understandable frustration over ‘Minecraft’ audience behavior, to the point where many of them have gone onto social media, and the MovieTheaterEmployeessubreddit, sharing their experiences and seeking support from others in the industry.

One usher wrote: “OMFG, I thought Wicked was bad but nothing can top what happened with Minecraft. During one of our shows we had to kick out THIRTY, yes THIRTY, teenage boys.” Another added: “All of us cannot wait for this movie to be gone.”

“A Minecraft Movie” is currently in theaters from Warner Bros. Pictures. Buy a ticket at your own peril.