Since its release in 2009, the popular video game Minecraft has quickly become the best-selling video game of all time. After 16 years since its release, Minecraft fans, both young and old, filled theaters to see “A Minecraft Movie” which premiered on April 4, 2025.
The primary cast of the movie includes popular actors Jack Black (Steve), Jason Momoa (Garrett), Sebastian Hanson (Henry), Emma Myers (Natalie), and Danielle Brooks (Dawn). These actors did an amazing job encapsulating the essence of the game into the film, with Jason Momoa and Jack Black delivering hilarious performances for the audience. Both of these actors crafted a unique sense of humor that set the tone for the film.
The target audience of “A Minecraft movie” is similar to the audience of the popular video game Minecraft. This includes children, teenagers, and younger adults who grew up playing the game.
The style of animation shown in “A Minecraft Movie” was a distinctive pixelated art style. Before its release, the internet frequently discussed how the film would be animated— whether that be a pixelated cartoon, live action, or a combination. Once the trailer was released and the debates settled, fans grew eager to see how Warner Brothers Studios’ choice would pan out.
As for the contents of the film itself, many scenes throughout “A Minecraft Movie” were funny quips or vocal stims that fans of the game love to say. For example— “crushing loaf,” “crafting table,” “flint and steel,” and “water bucket release.”
In one scene, specifically, Warner Brothers Studios honored Technoblade— a popular Minecraft YouTuber, who passed away three years ago after a strenuous fight with cancer. Through including Technoblade in their film, Warner Brothers was able to pay homage to Technoblade’s legacy, highlighting the positive impact he had on the Minecraft community.
After watching the film on its release date, I can attest that the energy and chaos I felt in the theater was unparalleled by any other movie-going experience. Although I enjoyed the high-energy experience that the movie provided, some fans got carried away with their excitement. Social media sources and news outlets shared that some movie theaters experienced riots and fights among the crowd, having to call law enforcement in some cases. However, I didn’t experience this first hand.
Not only did “A Minecraft Movie” affect the Minecraft community’s culture, but it also had a significant cultural influence on many brands and chains in the U.S. around its release date. During the time of its launch, the popular fast-food chain, McDonald’s, released a Happy Meal Deal, which included Minecraft-themed food and toys. Sales were through the roof with this collaboration, leading many McDonald’s to sell out of this “Minecraft Happy Meal” throughout the Lehigh Valley area, causing some distraught among many Minecraft fans.
In my opinion, “A Minecraft Movie” was a great and enjoyable film, which kept me interested the whole time. As someone who grew up in Minecraft’s prime, I saw the cultural impact the video game had on my generation, and on myself. Although it was just a video game, Minecraft positively influenced many of its players’ real-world knowledge, architecture skills, and education.
I believe the movie encapsulated this influence, bringing Minecraft and its significance to an even broader audience. As an avid Minecraft player myself, I would definitely go back and watch the movie again, and throw more popcorn with my friends.
‘A Minecraft Movie’ delights longtime Minecraft fans
The new Minecraft movie takes the audience back to their gaming days.
About the Contributor
Charles Petri, Staff Reporter
Southern Lehigh senior Charlie Petri is a first-year staff reporter for “The Spotlight.” Seeking a fun elective to fill up his schedule, Charlie stumbled upon Journalism to make use of his creative writing skills. Since joining, Charlie has embraced his role as a staff reporter, and even found himself competing at the state level for editorial cartoon drawing.
Charlie is not only a student journalist, but also a very dedicated student athlete— competing in both the SLHS Swimming & Diving and Track & Field teams.
Charlie has been a varsity swimmer for three years now. With that, he has successfully qualified for the District Championship for all three years, contributing greatly to the boys’ District AA first place title this past 2024-2025 season.
On top of Charlie’s athletic success, he has also had significant academic achievements
In the past four years.Charlie has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish club, Operation Smile, and the Future Business Leaders of America Club (FBLA). In FBLA specifically, Charlie competed at the state level competition in Hershey.
“Things aren’t always going to be handed to you, if you want something then you have to
go out and take it,” Petri said.
In Hershey Park, Charlie and his partner, Avinash (Avi) Shah, competed against some of the best “future business leaders” in the state. Together, they placed tenth. Charlie Petri’s hard work ethic and determination for a valuable education grabs the attention of a teacher at Southern Lehigh.
“I had Charlie Petri as a junior in world cultures last year. I felt that he was a very strong student, but an even better young man.I really enjoyed having him in the class, and I’ve enjoyed seeing him around the hallways this year, popping in and saying hello,” World Cultures teacher Mr. Lee Zeisloft said.
An expansive resume like this does not come without its own challenges. In Charlie’s junior year, he underwent spine surgery for his scoliosis which left him out of school and sports for over a month. During this time, he focused on dedicating himself to not only his grades, but also to himself.
“It was hard to acclimate to high school life,” Petri said. “I had a few setbacks throughout my time at high school, such as getting spine surgery at the end of my junior year which kept me out of school and also moving houses three times. It all like, really led me somewhere and taught me something.”
Amidst Charlie’s successful high school career, he gives all the credit to his high school peers who helped shape his journey.
“I really admire the seniors from my sophomore year. Karan Sidhu taught me to let loose, and Sam Desai taught me to focus on academia,” Petri said.
Through these life lessons, Charlie was able to grow into the person he is today with hopes that he can have this type of impact on other underclassmen and inspire them in similar ways to how he was.
Charlie is very excited to step into his next chapter and go off to college. He plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study accounting, and hopes to get his master’s degree. As Charlie graduates in May, he wants to leave a lasting impression on his peers and teachers. He offers his peers a piece of advice to help them tackle high school.
“Take challenging classes and push yourself, you only get this opportunity once,” Charlie Petri.