UK cinemas issue strict warnings over Minecraft movie as trend causes mayhem and fights during screenings

I remember the good old days, when people who went to a cinema actually went to watch the film, and didn't just stare at their phones and talk loudly.

Even rustling a sweet packet would get you death stares a few years back, but it seems like anything goes in the current climate, and cinemas are seemingly sick of it too.

A Minecraft Movie dropped in cinemas last week, and it's proving extremely popular, particularly with the younger audience, following the recent trend of video games being made into successful movies and TV shows.

Although things were seemingly not completely rosy behind the scenes of filming in New Zealand, the new film starring Jack Black has already broken records at the box office and overtook The Super Mario Bros. Movie to deliver the biggest-ever opening weekend for a video game adaptation.

However, its time in UK cinemas could soon be over before many have even had a chance to see the film, thanks to a nightmare TikTok trend which is making the life of employees miserable.

In a scene which is particularly difficult to describe to someone who has never played Minecraft, a zombie child is riding a chicken inside a boxing ring, before Jack Black's character shouts 'Chicken Jockey' - I don't really have a clue what's going on either.

This seems to inspire chaos in cinemas however, as kids and adults alike can be seen launching their popcorn across the cinema, while staff have also been forced into cleaning up debris and even vomit after the film has finished.

Now, some might argue that this is just kids having fun, but it's probably the same people who defend launching their pints in the air when England win a corner at 3-0 down. You wouldn't do it at home, so why do it at the cinema or the pub?

The lowest form of entertainment brings out the lowest form of humans with even lower IQs. #MinecraftMovie pic.twitter.com/beQOXx16uc

— John Flickinger (@theFLICKpick) April 9, 2025

And it seems as if some cinemas aren't keen to keep cleaning up other people's unnecessary mess, and are now threatening to pull the film entirely from its roster.

The Witney branch of Cineworld in Oxfordshire has delivered a strict warning to customers.

A customer notice reads: "Any form of anti-social behaviour, especially anything that may disturb other guests such as loud screaming, clapping and shouting will not be tolerated.

"Anyone who is found to be acting in this manner will be removed from the screening and not entitled to a refund."

In an announcement on the Electric Palace Picture House's Facebook page, the cinema said: "We appreciate you are excited and have long awaited this film, but for everyone’s comfort and enjoyment we kindly request that you DO NOT take part in this trend.

"Due to the disturbances caused this weekend NO UNDER 18s are permitted into the showing past 18:30 without an accompanying 18 year old.

"Any behaviour such as shouting, throwing popcorn, talking, filming the screen and each other during the film will not be tolerated! CCTV is in use and audience disturbances are not acceptable."

So if you're planning to go and watch the new film, maybe have an umbrella ready for the chicken jockey scene.