A Minecraft Movie has been an enormous hit in theaters, however one goofy meme from the movie is overshadowing all of its field workplace success.
While followers have embraced the absurd performances from Jack Black and Jason Momoa, it is a split-second cameo that includes a child zombie driving a hen that is sending teen audiences into absolute chaos. The Chicken Jockey, a uncommon and obscure Minecraft mob, has change into the unlikely middle of a viral eruption.
Across social media, and more and more inside theaters, teenagers are reacting with wild enthusiasm-chanting, throwing popcorn, filming reenactments and, in some circumstances, prompting theaters to problem warnings or cancel showings altogether. What began as a deep-cut reference has exploded right into a cultural flashpoint.
Jack Black, who stars as lead character Steve within the film, took the chance to deal with the controversial meme and loopy habits on Sunday, shocking moviegoers on the AMC Century City in Los Angeles with a private look. Black jokingly warned the gang to not throw “popped corn” earlier than pumping his trusty pickaxe and high-fiving followers throughout the theater.
Jack Black seems at a ‘MINECRAFT’ film screening asking followers to not throw popcorn all around the theater. pic.twitter.com/g4eFCEXgD3
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 14, 2025
The Chicken Jockey has gone from area of interest in-game trivia to a full-blown popular culture icon and the supply of real-world havoc. But what precisely is that this unusual little character, the place did it come from, and the way did it change into the chaotic heartbeat of the film?
What is a Minecraft Chicken Jockey?
When a child zombie rides a hen in Minecraft, you have acquired a hen jockey.
A Minecraft Chicken Jockey is a uncommon hostile mob (Minecraft lingo for monster) within the sport, shaped when a child zombie seems driving a hen. It’s one of many stranger and fewer frequent creatures in Minecraft, and due to its rarity, it is a fan-favorite Easter egg for veteran gamers.
In the 2025 Minecraft film, the Chicken Jockey makes a short however memorable look. The movie references its rarity, and that comparatively small scene has exploded on-line, particularly amongst followers who acknowledge the deep-cut reference.
What is the Chicken Jockey scene within the Minecraft film?
The Chicken Jockey scene within the Minecraft film is not very lengthy or essential. In actuality, it is in all probability value little greater than a chuckle. But individuals completely like it. And it is simply understood with out having seen the film. For context, at one level, Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (performed by Momoa) is compelled right into a boxing ring with a hen.
“They need me to battle the hen,” he states, whereas a child zombie drops down from a crate lowered from the ceiling. The grinning zombie lands on the hen whereas laughing.
“Chicken Jockey!” a cautious Steve (performed by Jack Black) warns, because the child zombie coos and costs at Garrison, knocking him into the ropes. And scene.
Why did the Chicken Jockey scene go viral?
For Minecraft followers, it is a uncommon and oddly satisfying Easter egg. This mob is not seen usually in-game, so it was a enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek nod to these within the know.
Moviegoers have reported fairly rowdy experiences at screenings, with followers singing and chanting together with the characters, particularly with this scene. We’ve seen tales of spontaneous applause, youngsters chanting “Chicken Jockey!” and makeshift cosplay. But it is solely escalated from there.
The viral second hit a brand new stage when @DiscussingFilm posted to X (previously Twitter), reporting that police needed to take away a number of youngsters from a theater throughout a Minecraft screening attributable to their response to the Chicken Jockey’s look. The crowd erupted into such loud cheering, shouting and laughter that the screening was disrupted, and workers known as the police to revive order.
Police needed to kick a number of youngsters out of the theater throughout a ‘MINECRAFT’ displaying after their response to the ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene
Read our assessment: pic.twitter.com/pZD9eywVjt— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 6, 2025
It seems the development is selecting up steam throughout the nation and at numerous screenings, with social media proof to point out popcorn being thrown at screens, loud screaming and different disruptive habits. Put merely, Chicken Jockey has individuals freaking out.
Minecraft Chicken Jockey merchandise: Popcorn buckets, Lego units and extra
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Minecraft Chicken Jockey is driving a outstanding wave of merchandise demand. Fans are scrambling for collectibles starting from unique theater popcorn buckets to McDonald’s toys.
The Cinemark Chicken Jockey popcorn bucket is rapidly changing into a sizzling resale merchandise on-line.
One of probably the most sought-after gadgets is the Cinemark-exclusive popcorn bucket and drink cup, which options the Chicken Jockey and is barely accessible in restricted portions. It’s already being resold for as a lot as $150 on eBay. The development extends to Lego as nicely. The Lego Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring features a Chicken Jockey minifigure, and followers have been fast to purchase it following the film’s launch.
McDonald’s has additionally launched Minecraft toys via its grownup meal promotions, although the Chicken Jockey would not seem in the usual Happy Meal lineup. Some grownup meals include boxed collectibles tied to the movie, and photographs have circulated on-line, however no direct retail hyperlink exists for the Chicken Jockey toy at the moment. It’s clear that, at the very least for now, Chicken Jockey merchandise has change into one of many yr’s most sudden film collectible tendencies.