‘Minecraft Movie’ Rakes in $10.55M in Previews, Aims for $70M+ Opening

The highly anticipated “Minecraft Movie” kicked off its theatrical run by earning $10.55 million in Thursday previews, with domestic box office projections ranging from $65 million to as high as $90 million for the weekend. Internationally, Warner Bros. estimates a haul of at least $65 million, putting the worldwide debut at potentially $135 million to $150 million. Given its $150 million budget and marketing spend, “Minecraft” looks poised to be a box office success for Warner Bros. after recent disappointments like “The Alto Knights” and “Mickey 17.”

Video game film adaptations can be unpredictable, but “Minecraft” arrives following 2023’s blockbuster “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which topped $1.3 billion. At the same time, other titles like “Borderlands” struggled to draw crowds, taking in just $33 million. Early numbers place “Minecraft” above “Five Nights at Freddy’s” ($10.3 million in previews) but below “Mario” ($26.5 million), giving it a favorable position heading into the weekend.

The movie’s star-studded cast—Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Emma Myers—portrays everyday people pulled from the real world into the Overworld, Minecraft’s pixelated realm. There, they confront iconic foes like creepers and zombies while honing their building skills to find a way home. Additional cast members include Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, and Rachel House, rounding out a comedic, adventure-driven family film that Warner Bros. hopes will charm gamers and newcomers alike.