In recent years, movie theaters have become battlegrounds between excitement and etiquette, as fan enthusiasm increasingly spills over into disruptive behavior. This phenomenon culminated on April 4 when cinemas worldwide erupted into chaos as viewers of “A Minecraft Movie” celebrated the appearance of an internet meme on-screen, often to destructive results. This film quickly became a box office sensation, domestically earning over $355 million in its opening weeks.
Social media sites have been abuzz with videos of these “A Minecraft Movie” riots, with an escalating series of viral incidents coming to a head when one viewer released a live chicken into the theater. This not-so-harmless fun has received widespread condemnation from outside onlookers and reignited the ongoing debate on what behavior is acceptable in theaters.
The film’s success can be attributed in part to its online popularity, and especially that of Jack Black.
“Everything [Jack Black] says in the movie has become a meme,” Lambert senior Shivangi Panda said. “Everyone would cheer every time he said something from the trailer.”
However, the internet’s affinity with the film was not always the case. The first trailers for the movie were panned for a seemingly unfaithful adaptation of Minecraft’s style. However, as ironic memes of Jack Black’s delivery of different terms from Minecraft flooded social media, public opinion slowly warmed towards the film, culminating in a Steve frenzy as “A Minecraft Movie” released.
Many fans took the excitement too seriously, however, leading to the incidents of rowdiness upon the film’s release. Cinema staff have expressed frustration over the messes made by these fans.
“A worker warned us before the movie not to throw any popcorn,” Panda said. “I get why [the cinema staff] are fed up with it; it’s unfair to expect them to clean up after people throwing their food everywhere.”
Movies like “A Minecraft Movie” can bring people together over the shared humor in them, but it’s important to remember to respect fellow moviegoers and staff when enjoying oneself. Many fans seem to have forgotten the basic rules in movie theaters, namely to not disrupt the movie and to clean up after oneself.
The “chicken jockey” incidents are the most recent, and likely most egregious, example of moviegoers disregarding movie theater etiquette, but they haven’t been the only instances of this.
The film adaptation of “Wicked,” released in 2024, raised controversies over some fans of the musical singing along with the movie. Much like the chaos surrounding “A Minecraft Movie,” “Wicked” screenings have seen disruptions from overly enthusiastic fans who disregard the experience of other viewers. While it’s understandable that longtime fans feel emotionally connected to the songs, many other moviegoers have voiced frustration, arguing that hearing someone singing during the film ruins the experience. Other viewers have complained about fans using their phones to record exciting moments in the film.
Theater etiquette exists to ensure that everyone can enjoy a movie without distraction, and moments like these remind us how easily that can be forgotten in the excitement.
Sometimes, fans’ excitement in theaters results in something beneficial to the moviegoing experience rather than something destructive. For example, Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” concert film released in theaters in 2023, and fans were encouraged to sing, dance and enjoy the concert experience that high ticket demand had made inaccessible to so many.
The difference comes down to context and respect. When a film invites interaction, it creates space for community and celebration. But when that same energy is brought into a traditional movie setting without consideration for others, it crosses a line. As theaters continue to host a wider variety of films that draw passionate fanbases, it’s important for audiences to recognize the setting they’re in and act accordingly. Movie theaters are shared spaces, and preserving the experience for everyone means knowing when to cheer—and when to keep it quiet.
