Friday, December 26, 2025

Jason Momoa & Jack Black Score Box Office Hit With Minecraft—But Their Next Movies Aren’t for Kids

Jason Momoa Minecraft Movie box office success has solidified both Jason Momoa and Jack Black as major stars in 2025 after their collaboration on the much-anticipated Minecraft adaptation, which overcame initial skepticism to become a major theatrical hit. With worldwide ticket sales surging to nearly a billion dollars, the film has not only set new milestones for both actors but also introduced their talents to a younger generation, although their upcoming projects are gearing toward an older audience.

Minecraft’s Soaring Ticket Sales Set New Milestones

Despite some early ridicule when the trailer was released, the Minecraft movie quickly gained favor after hitting theaters, ultimately sparking viral trends and becoming one of the year’s most talked-about titles. The increased attention translated into an impressive $954.4 million in global box office receipts, making it the second highest-grossing film worldwide and leading at the domestic box office, at least until other contenders like “Lilo & Stitch” have their chance.

This financial achievement further strengthens Jason Momoa’s profile, pushing his overall career box office total past the $5 billion mark when all of his starring and supporting roles are included. For Jack Black, the movie cements his reputation as a leading force in video game adaptations; “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” had already ranked among his top-grossing works, and now the Minecraft adaptation elevates his status even further.

Jason Momoa
Image of: Jason Momoa

These feats are not just personal victories for the stars—they reshape their positions in Hollywood, as audiences now widely associate Momoa and Black with a hit family film, a space both had touched on before but had not dominated in quite this way.

Popularity with Kids Redefines Their Movie Careers

The core audience for the Minecraft film turned out to be children, who quickly embraced Jack Black as Steve, a central figure from the beloved game. Black’s lines became instant favorites, often repeated by young viewers, particularly one referencing “chicken jockey,” a familiar reference for fans of the franchise.

Humorous moments like “Steve’s Lava Chicken” and inventive scenes from the movie added fuel to the social media fire, turning the film into a rich source of memes and viral clips. This wave of popularity marks new territory for both actors; while Black has previously voiced Po in “Kung Fu Panda,” many youngsters weren’t aware of the connection, and Jason Momoa, known as Aquaman, had mainly appealed to slightly older pre-teens through his DC roles.

Now, both Momoa and Black have expanded their appeal to encompass younger children, giving them fresh standing as movie stars with a broad, cross-generational audience. This new connection with kids carves out a unique niche in their respective filmographies, making their next career steps even more impactful.

Upcoming Projects Will Turn Attention to Adult Audiences

After winning over young moviegoers, both Momoa and Black are transitioning to projects that will target more mature audiences, meaning their new fan base of kids may not be able to follow along. Jack Black’s next major movie is “Anaconda,” a comedic reboot of the 1997 jungle adventure that will be rated R, signaling a shift away from family-friendly entertainment even though its predecessor had a PG-13 rating.

Jason Momoa’s forthcoming release, “Animal Friends,” helmed by director Peter Atencio, will feature him alongside Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Lil Rel Howery, and Addison Rae. While the film adopts an animated format often associated with children’s media, “Animal Friends” is an adult-oriented comedy, deliberately crafted for an older audience with its raunchy humor and mature themes.

As neither of these new projects is designed for children, parents hoping to revisit the charm of the Minecraft movie with their kids will have to wait for future sequels or family-focused releases. This shift marks a notable transition for both actors as they explore new genres and creative challenges, temporarily leaving their youngest fans behind.

Return to Family Films Is on the Horizon—But With Delays

Jack Black, however, is set to make a comeback in the children’s movie arena with the upcoming sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Although plot details are still under wraps, Black is widely expected to return as the voice of Bowser, bringing his comedic talents back to a younger audience when the film releases on April 3, 2026.

Both Black and Momoa are anticipated to reprise their roles in an eventual Minecraft sequel, maintaining their foothold in the family genre. For Momoa, his next broadly accessible film might be “Supergirl,” though initial indications suggest it may skew more toward older teens and families rather than young kids. This means his return to kid-centered stories could be further off than fans might hope, extending the wait for audiences eager to see him in more family-oriented movies.

As their careers continue to evolve, Jason Momoa and Jack Black’s recent box office triumph with Minecraft has set the stage for fresh opportunities and challenges—proving that success with young fans can both expand an actor’s reach and create new dynamics in their project choices. Their journey reflects how major hits can shift public perception and reshape Hollywood trajectories, with the promise of future family films keeping audiences attentive to their next moves.