A Minecraft Movie already had a towering built-in fan base thanks to its source material being the best-selling video game of all time. But few could have predicted that the movie—a goofy comedy starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa as human characters who get pulled into the chaotic cubic world—would become a Rocky Horror-style interactive sensation, with wild antics in theaters going viral almost overnight.
Director Jared Hess found the “chicken jockey” frenzy to be hilarious; star Black took a somewhat more measured tone. But theaters knew anything that puts butts in seats is a good thing, and promoted “Block Party Edition” screenings especially for fans who wanted to sing and scream and meme along.
Now the chance to view A Minecraft Movie on streaming—whether you want to embrace the madness (please, no live barnyard animals!) or simply watch one of the year’s biggest surprise hits in peace—is nearly here. It hits Max June 20, and HBO linear on June 21. Max will also feature a version of A Minecraft Movie with an American Sign Language, further expanding the movie’s potential reach.
Here’s the official synopsis for anyone who doesn’t have an instant visceral reaction to the line “I… am Steve!”:
“Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett ‘The Garbage Man’ Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.”
A sequel to A Minecraft Movie has not yet been officially announced, but given the first film’s success—and Hess’ enthusiasm about returning; in April, he told Deadline that “it seems like there’s already talk about [a sequel] happening, so I’m super excited. It’ll be so much fun to go back into the world”—makes it seem very likely.
Will you stream A Minecraft Movie at home, and if so… how crazy are you going to get while watching it?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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