Minecraft 'Chicken Jockey' outbursts prompt theaters to issue warnings
FILE-(L to R) Jared Hess, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hansen, Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Black and Jason Momoa attend the World Premiere of "A Minecraft Movie" at Cineworld Leicester Square on March 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jed
A scene in the new film "A Minecraft Movie" is trending online and social media causing some people in movie theaters to engage in unruly behavior.
The actions of these consumers have become so disruptive to the point that movie theaters are instituting new rules to curtail the behavior, and, in some theaters, police have escorted teens out of the venues.
What is ‘Chicken Jockey’?
The backstory:
"Chicken jockey" is the term used for a zombie character riding a chicken like a horse in "A Minecraft Movie." Actor Jack Black’s character in the film uses the phrase in a boxing ring when he sees the zombie character in one of the film’s scenes.
Movie theaters issue warnings about ‘Chicken Jockey’ behavior
Why you should care:
Some movie theaters across the country are taking steps to deter the behavior of customers tempted to overreact when watching "A Minecraft Movie."
New Jersey’s Township Theatre informed customers that an incident resulted in several minors getting banned from the movie. The theater said in a Facebook post, that a group of unsupervised boys participated in unacceptable behavior, including vandalism.
The Pines Theatre in Michigan enforced new guidelines for "A Minecraft Movie" attendees and they include no loud talking in the movie, no yelling at the film screen and no video or camera use in the theater.
In Wisconsin, the Marcus Ridge Cinema advised fans to be courteous of other guests and to refrain from cheering during the movie.
And at the Cineworld theater in Whitney, England, a message was posted notifying customers that they will be removed from the theater without a refund if they are disruptive during the film, according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, a Cineworld theater in Witney, England, posted a warning that moviegoers will be kicked out without a refund if they disturb the film screening, the BBC reported.
"A Minecraft Movie,"out in theaters now, stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa and is a film inspired by the popular video game.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Tennessean, the BBC, and NBC News. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.