April 4, 2025 saw the release of the anticipated, meme-able movie, “A Minecraft Movie.” Major blockbuster actors such as Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks starred in the film.
However, the sensational aspect of this movie was not the film itself. Many on the internet have turned the movie into a joke since the release of the first teaser trailer. The most notable joke to have come from the movie is the chicken jockey scene. Fans have turned the scene into a TikTok trend that trashes the theater and even bringing live chickens into theaters.
The chicken jockey trend takes place during the scene where Steve, played by Jack Black, and Garett Garrison, played by Jason Mamoa, are forced to battle in a fighting ring against a chicken. From the ceiling, a baby zombie is placed on top creating the infamous in-game mob. Steve yells the mob’s name, “Chicken Jockey!” which is echoed by the viewers of the theater, and chaos ensues.
The most common way to participate is throwing popcorn, screaming and cheering. However, some viewers have taken this “bit” so far as to sneak in live chickens and release them into the theater during the scene.
“A Minecraft Movie” is a film set in the widely popular video game Minecraft, a sandbox game that allows players to freely build with blocks and mechanical elements. The game was created by Mojang in 2011. Minecraft quickly grew into one of the most popular video games in the world.
Part of this success has to do with the internet itself, as Youtube gained popularity around the same time. Minecraft provided the perfect platform for online entertainers to tell stories with very little equipment. Minecraft Youtubers (MCYT) have their own community on Youtube, referred to as MCYT. This community gained such popularity that a few Minecraft Youtubers earned a spot in the movie itself, including DanTDM, Aphmau, Mumbo Jumbo and LDShadowLady.
Mojang is well aware of the positive effect that the internet and Youtubers have made towards the success of its franchise. As such, the team takes time to connect with the community and allows mob votes on X to determine the new mobs they add to the game. Their interconnected popularity via the chaotic wilds of the internet means they have to face the challenges of internet behavior leaking into the physical world.
With trailer clip of the chicken jockey scene going viral on Tiktok and an active fan presence online, the release of the movie armed thousands of teens across the world to participate in this trend. Fueled by the accompaniment of their peers who are in on the “bit,” the stress of social pressure is minimized. This allows these acts of outrageous and inappropriate behavior to ensue.
Similarly to the opening night of Marvel’s blockbuster film “Avengers: Endgame,” this movie brought a community of people together. The excitement of that leads people to do reckless damage, with little to no thought of the repercussions. This was a chance to be part of a moment not often shared in the gaming community.
As more gamers and online communities are pushed into the realm of the big screen, one can only hope that the courtesy of the theater will be respected. Watching movies in the theater is meant to be a pleasurable experience shared with others. Not leave you coated in popcorn butter and chicken feathers.
TOP PHOTO: A recent TikTok trend sees movie buffs creating messes at their local theaters. Most throw popcorn around during ‘chicken jockey’ scene while others have even gone to such lengths as to bring live chickens with them. (Envato Elements)
Mel Llamas is the Opinions Editor for The Express. Follow him on X, formally Twitter, @MM_Llamas
