Minecraft Movie Surpasses Super Mario Bros. with Record-Breaking Domestic Box Office Debut for Video Game Adaptation

The Minecraft Movie has shattered box office records, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie to claim the title of the biggest domestic debut for a video game adaptation. Starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, who also appeared in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this Xbox game adaptation raked in an impressive $157 million in North American theaters alone. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which holds the record for the highest-grossing video game adaptation to date, opened with $146 million domestically in April 2023.

Internationally, A Minecraft Movie added another $144 million, bringing its global opening weekend total to a staggering $301 million. With a production budget of $150 million, excluding marketing costs, the film may already be profitable for Warner Bros.

Based on Mojang's Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, the movie is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Microsoft-owned sandbox game. To further capitalize on the film's success, Minecraft has released movie tie-in DLC.

IGN's review of A Minecraft Movie awarded it a 6/10, praising director Jared Hess for infusing the kid-friendly adventure with a unique and humorous comic spin, particularly in the film's first half. For those who have seen the movie, IGN provides an in-depth explanation of A Minecraft Movie's ending and post-credits scene, featuring insights from director Jared Hess and Minecraft's Torfi Frans Ólafsson.

In contrast, Disney's live-action Snow White has faced a disappointing opening weekend, with global earnings reaching only $168.4 million ($77.5 million domestic and $90.9 million international). With a hefty $250 million production budget, the film's prospects of achieving a comeback akin to Mufasa: The Lion King seem slim.