Jack Black in ‘A Minecraft Movie’; Chicken jockey. Photo:
Warner Bros/Youtube
- Audiences attending screenings of A Minecraft Movie are being asked by cinemas to avoid “disruptive behavior” following a social media trend where viewers vocally react to one particular scene
- Clips shared to TikTok and beyond show audiences around the world reciting, screaming and throwing popcorn when Jack Black’s character says the phrase “chicken jockey”
- One viral video appeared to show police escorting a group of children out of a theater
Cinemas are warning moviegoers to avoid “disruptive behavior” at screenings of A Minecraft Movie after a social media trend and apparent meme has led to a largely vocal audience reaction during screenings — and in one instance captured on TikTok, police involvement.
Following the film’s release on Friday, April 4, audiences have gone viral on social media for applauding scenes that include references to the popular 2011 video game the film is based on — including one scene in particular where Jack Black‘s character Steve says the phrase, “chicken jockey.”
The scene itself, which partially appeared in the film’s trailer, features Black’s Steve and Jason Momoa‘s character Garett Garrison in a boxing ring, where a baby zombie can be seen riding a chicken — a rare occurrence in the Minecraft game.
As a result of the line itself already becoming a popular meme ahead of the film’s release, young audiences around the world are now filming themselves and their fellow moviegoers reciting and reacting to the phrase, “chicken jockey.”
In one video, shared by @salesmenpod on TikTok earlier this week, audience members can be seen eagerly awaiting the line with their phones ready to record the theater, before erupting in pandemonium the moment Black’s character recites the phrase.
While it is unclear where the specific clip was filmed, young theatergoers can be seen throwing popcorn in the air, giving standing ovations and screaming in response to the line. The footage then cuts to the aftermath, where two police officers can be seen apparently escorting a group of children out of the theater.
Stock image of a blank cinema screen. Getty
“This whole night was surreal and one of the most unforgettable movie experiences I’ve ever had,” the TikTok user captioned the clip — which has since earned nearly 2 million likes on the platform as of Monday, April 7.
Other “chicken jockey” moments have gone viral on TikTok and X, including one from TikTok user @matthewvietzke, where again, audience members can be seen jumping in the air and cheering at the line. A similar situation transpired in footage shared from inside a theater by Instagram user @c.terlizzi5.
Now, cinemas are encouraging moviegoers to avoid “disruptive behavior” as A Minecraft Movie fans continue to bring the meme to theaters.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
‘A Minecraft Movie’. Warner Bros. Pictures
“To ensure everyone has the best possible cinema experience, we’re increasing our monitoring of screens during performances,” a spokesperson for REEL cinema in Fareham, England told Daily Echo, per The Independent.
“Disruptive behavior, including taking part in TikTok trends, before, during, or after a screening will not be tolerated,” the statement continued. “Anyone causing disruption will be asked to leave, and where necessary, the police will be called.”
Another local theater, Cineworld on Renfrew Street in Glasgow, has also addressed reports of “excessive noise” during screenings of A Minecraft Movie, per Glasgow Times.
“We’ve been informed of reports of an online trend that includes making excessive noise during A Minecraft Movie,” an Instagram note read. “We would like to remind everyone to please be respectful to those around them by not making noise nor being on their phones during any movie. Failure to do so may result in ejection from the cinema.”
According to Deadline, A Minecraft Movie has opened at $301M globally, of which $144.1 comes from the international box office.
The film stars Black, Momoa, A Good Girls Guide to Murder‘s Emma Myers, Orange Is the New Black‘s Danielle Brooks, Eugene Hansen and Jennifer Coolidge, among others.
