There is no fail-safe formula in Hollywood, but this one is nearby.
Take unested but unused (or musty) cultural assets (preferably stirring strong feelings of nostalgia among young adults) and add a star to play types, rich visual effects, and a savvy marketing campaign that will make core fans feel grateful.
It's hard to get past, but legendary entertainment has done it over and over. The latest example took place over the weekend with “A Minecraft Movie.” This was created in collaboration with Warner Bros. The film sold an astounding $157 million ticket in North America from Friday to Sunday.
Citing the sales and research of prepaid tickets that track consumer interest, analysts had forecast a domestic opening weekend for a weekend of nearly $80 million. “It's an absolute explosion to see film fans from all over the world gather to celebrate their love for Minecraft,” said Mike De Luka and Pam Abi, co-chairs of Warner Bros. film group, in a statement.
Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, Minecraft Movie, a PG-rated comedy fantasy based on the 2011 block-building video game, also scored overseas, earning an additional $144 million.
The film cost $150 million without including global marketing costs. Warner Bros. covered 75% of its budget. The independently owned legend took on balance. The reviews were mixed.
Hollywood in general, and Warner Bros. in particular, needed a terrible hit. Box office revenue in the US and Canada fell 11% in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2024. There were also other performances, including a pair of budget guys from Blumhouse Horror Studio who were once evaded.
Warner Bros. found a huge hit in September with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” But the performance since then has been disastrous in a gangster film defended last month by David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros Discovery. Some of the company's upcoming films are considered risks by some theater owners and Warner Bros. Discovery Investors, including “Sinners,” an original $90 million R-rate horror thriller set in the 1930s. Arrived on April 18th.
Zaslav has met with candidates to replace De Luca and Abdy, according to two people who spoke about the terms of anonymity to discuss the private process. The consultations have been reported previously by Bloomberg.
Abdy and De Luca declined to comment on the situation at their work. A Warner Bros Discovery spokesman said “rumornings of an imminent change in leadership in the studio are not accurate.”
A powerful ticket sales for “Minecraft Movie” can make you breathe on a hard-working executive. Abdy and De Luca pushed the project into production and oversee the completion. Warner Bros. has also arranged a major marketing partnership with McDonald's. McDonald's has produced extensive conversations at Tiktok, a platform that has become an important seat filling tool for studios and theatres.
However, the credits for “Minecraft Movie” also belong to legend.
Warner Bros. brought legends as a “Minecraft” partner in 2019, after years of struggling to come up with the right director, story, story and tone, the clock was clicking. In addition to raising funds, it provided legendary capabilities.
Legendary's vice-president Mary Parent has pushed the film's director Peter Solett out and helped recruit Jared Hess, known for instilling films like “Nacho Libre” and “Napoleon Dynamite” with nasty humor. Momoa (“Aquaman”) and Mad Cap Black (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”) have joined the cast.
“Mary and her team rethink the take, brought Jared in and developed a film that honors the fans while accessing the general audience,” legendary chief executive Josh Grode said in a statement. “This is a huge victory for Warner Bros. for the legendary theatre box office and theatre box office.”
Producer Roy Lee, known for “The Lego Movie,” and Warner production president Jesse Ehrman, among others, have pushed the film to the finish line.
“Minecraft Movie” is the third time a legend has transformed challenging source material into a broad audit salary. The company revived King Kong in 2017, bringing it a trilogy that raised $1.6 billion worldwide. The legend was also the force behind Dunes: Part 1 (2021) and Dunes: Part 2 (2024). Dune: Messiah is scheduled to be released next year.
Warner Bros. invested in by releasing the Kong film (Star Godzilla). It's the same as the “Dune” franchise.
“Minecraft Movie” adds to the game-based movie boom. Other successes include Universal's animated Super Mario Bros. Movie and Paramount's Sonic The Hedgehog series. Blumhouse and Universal's “Five Nights at Freddy's” was a surprise sensation in 2023.
According to PostTrak, a research service, approximately 43% of ticket buyers for “Minecraft Movie” were between 18 and 24 years old. Children aged 13 to 17 account for 35%.
