The theatrical release of A Minecraft Movie has ignited wild excitement among young viewers, leading to popcorn showers and exuberant outcries of “chicken jockey” at various screenings. In fact, the excitement escalated to the point of requiring police intervention on at least two occasions.

A chicken jockey is defined as a baby zombie riding a chicken, an unusual feature in Minecraft. A viral scene from the film, where Jack Black shouts “chicken jockey!”, has triggered a wave of animated reactions from kids in theaters. They have taken to shouting, capturing the moment on their phones, and tossing popcorn in jubilation.

Image of A Minecraft Movie Image credit: Warner Bros

Roger Clark, known for voicing Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, aptly noted the unique atmosphere that has emerged just days into the film’s debut, comparing it to the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show where audience participation is key. He remarked, “High school students and teens alike shouting random Jack Black lines due to TikTok shorts is unlike anything I’ve witnessed before.”

Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, it achieved record-breaking box office earnings, notably the highest domestic opening weekend for a video game film adaptation.

The phenomena did not stop with mere enthusiastic popcorn throwing; in one documented case, police were called to escort a group of kids from the theater for their unruly behavior. The enthusiastic response hasn’t just centered around the chicken jockey scene; social media has been flooded with content showing teenagers involved in playful mayhem during the movie.

From police’s mixed experiences with fans to the spectacular word-of-mouth online, A Minecraft Movie promises to remain part of the conversation over the coming weeks.