A Minecraft Movie smashes records with biggest video game opening ever in New Zealand

AUCKLAND, Today: A Minecraft Movie has levelled up from game to global sensation, smashing box office records worldwide and drawing massive crowds across New Zealand since its release last week.

Locally, the film pulled 126,000 admissions over its Thursday to Sunday opening, with strong interest from both families and Gen Z. An impressive 34% of the audience came from the P14-24 demographic.

It raked in $ 2.5 million in four days—making it the biggest video game adaptation debut ever in New Zealand, and the fourth biggest PG opening of all time.

Only The Lion King, Barbie, and Moana 2 have ranked higher in that category. Globally, A Minecraft Movie also crushed it, pulling in a massive $ 301 million USD in its opening week.

“A Minecraft Movie has delivered a huge blockbuster opening, with strong momentum set to carry through the Easter school holidays,” said Matt Tremain, Sales Director of Val Morgan Cinema in New Zealand.

“’A Minecraft Movie’ has delivered a huge blockbuster opening, with strong momentum set to carry through the Easter school holidays.” – Matt Tremain

“As one of the few IPs that was born alongside Gen Z, Minecraft has become an integral part of their culture and the film’s record-breaking opening weekend demonstrates cinema’s exceptional ability to connect with younger audiences.

“Our latest research with Kantar shows that Cinema holds the highest advertising equity with this demographic which is why brands should be looking to the channel to connect and build positive perceptions.”

Looking to 2025, there’s no shortage of big releases for brands to get behind, especially those that tap into existing fanbases.

Mission Impossible 8, How To Train Your Dragon, and F1 are all dropping across May and June, targeting both family and youth audiences.

“Along with these highly anticipated releases, July will see the arrival of two huge blockbusters, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Superman, both of which are set to captivate a broad audience, offering brands an opportunity to connect with diverse demographics,” said Tremain.

Source: CineTAM 2025, Numero.