Moviegoers cause chaos in theaters during 'Minecraft' screenings, leaving staff overwhelmed

The new 'Minecraft' movie is breaking box office records — but it’s also causing trouble in theaters across the world.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, some moviegoers, especially teenagers, have turned screenings into chaotic events, with people throwing food, shouting, and even bringing live animals into theaters.

A recent trend on TikTok seems to be behind much of this behavior. Videos showing wild reactions during certain scenes — like one featuring a rare “chicken jockey” moment from the game — have inspired groups of fans to show up and cause scenes of their own. In one clip, someone was reportedly kicked out for bringing in a live chicken. Others show crowds shouting loudly or tossing popcorn and drinks during screenings.

The situation has gotten so bad that some theater chains, like Cinema United, have sent out memos with suggestions for handling the chaos. These include making announcements before the film starts and even calling the police if things get out of control. In fact, some videos show police being called to manage unruly crowds.

UK theater chain Cineworld posted on social media that they welcome fan enthusiasm — like clapping or cheering — but warned against “going full Creeper” by throwing items or filming the screen, which counts as piracy.

A theater in New Jersey responded to the issues by requiring minors to attend the' Minecraft' movie with a parent or guardian, following what they called an “unfortunate situation.”

While the movie has a PG rating and is meant to be family-friendly, theater staff are bearing the brunt of the chaos. On the Reddit forum r/MovieTheaterEmployee, workers have been sharing stories of overcrowded theaters, out-of-control teens, and messes that are difficult to clean up. Some said they had to remove dozens of kids from a single show. Others described how stressful the situation has become due to a lack of staff and the constant complaints.

One employee from Apple Cinemas wrote that it’s hard to single out who’s causing the disruption because the entire crowd is usually loud. Another staff member shared that they’ve never experienced anything this disruptive before — even comparing it to the chaos during previous hit movies like 'Wicked' or 'Minions: The Rise of Gru'.

Despite the headaches, the movie is a huge success. In just six days, A 'Minecraft' Movie has earned over $185 million in the U.S. and $380 million worldwide. Its popularity has even outperformed The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was a massive hit in 2023.

Theaters are trying to strike a balance between enjoying the success of a blockbuster hit and managing the rowdy crowds. While some locations have seen minimal issues, others are overwhelmed and can’t wait for the excitement — and the mess — to die down.

As of now, Warner Bros. has not released any official statement regarding the situation. Meanwhile, many theater employees are hoping the trend dies out soon.