Top 5 ways the Minecraft movie could have been better

The Minecraft movie took the box office by storm. It ranked in millions and delighted the fans with its blocky charm. But while the movie delivered nostalgia and some meme-worthy moments, many fans and audiences agree that it could have been a stronger film. From the questioning casting choices to the missed storytelling opportunities, here are the top 5 ways in which the Minecraft movie could have leveled up.


The film leans upon fan service heavily. It is stuffed in references and some insider jokes instead of crafting a compelling story. While the die-hard fans of the game might cheer at all the Minecraft Easter eggs, the casual viewers are left with the predictable and thin adventure.

The deeper narrative, like exploring the survival mechanics or the creative freedom that the game offers, could have made A Minecraft Movie much more than just the series of gags. Instead, the film felt like a 2-hour meme compilation instead of a well-structured movie.

The character of Steve (Jack Black) is fun, but the character lacks depth. Similar is the case with Jason Momoa’s Garett. He feels like a caricature that is a fully realized person. Even some young protagonists, Henry and Natalie, get a minimal backstory despite the emotional setup.
The stronger arcs, like discovering a love of mining by Steve or Henry trying to use creativity to save the day, could have added an emotional weight to the movie. Instead, most of the characters exist just to deliver the punchlines.

The Piglin leader, Malgosha, is a forgettable character. Her backstory, getting mocked for wanting to dance, is played for laughter instead of making her the compelling antagonist. The better villain could have tied into the themes of Minecraft. Like force threatening to erase the player's creation and more.
Imagine if Malgosha sought the Orb to reshape Overworld in her image, forcing heroes to defend builds. Instead, she is just another generic bad-guy character who has no real impact.


A Minecraft Movie tries too hard to be funny, with some over-the-top jokes that quite often fall flat. While the energy of Black Jack works in smaller doses, the constant quips do dilute Minecraft’s world wonder.
The balance of genuine adventure and humor, like The Lego Movie, would have worked better here. Some moments of quiet exploration or creativity would have made the world much more alive, and not just the backdrop from the slapstick.

Sure, Jack Black is entertaining, but he does not quite fit in the role of Steve— the character who is usually imagined as the silent, everyman avatar. Matt Berry, who was originally cast in the role of Steve, might have brought a much more funnier and unexpected energy.
Similarly, some side characters, including Jennifer Coolidge’s random villager romance, feel shoehorned. The tighter cast with the roles that actually served the story would have made the film feel much more cohesive.
A Minecraft Movie succeeds as a fun and meme-filled ride, but the movie misses the chance to be actually special. With the deeper characters, stronger story, and better heart and humor balance, it could have been a cinematic experience— not just a box office hit. As of now, all we can hope is that the sequel will deep dive better to give the audience better results.