You've probably seen the memes by now. Jack Black in a blue t-shirt, Jason Momoa wearing a pink leather jacket with fringe, and that one weirdly realistic pink sheep that haunts everyone's dreams. Honestly, the first film was a whirlwind that divided the internet faster than a creeper ruins a house. But after that massive $958 million box office run in 2025, the question isn't just "was it good?" It’s when is minecraft movie coming back for round two?
People are already itching for the next chapter. Whether you loved the goofy "I am Steve" energy or you’re a purist who thinks the live-action look is a fever dream, there is big news. Warner Bros. isn't wasting any time. They saw those billion-dollar numbers and hit the "respawn" button immediately.
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The Official Release Date for the Sequel
Let's get right to the point. When is minecraft movie number two actually hitting theaters? Mark your calendars for July 23, 2027.
Warner Bros. confirmed this date after the first film basically printed money during its April 2025 run. It’s a prime summer slot. Usually, this means the studio is super confident. They aren't hiding it in the "dump months" of January or February. They want it to be the biggest thing of the summer, competing with heavy hitters like The Simpsons Movie 2 and A Quiet Place Part III.
Production is moving fast. Jason Momoa actually went on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon just yesterday (January 16, 2026) and dropped some serious dirt. He told Jimmy that filming is scheduled to start at the end of April 2026. If you do the math, that gives them about a year and a half for filming and all that heavy CGI post-production.
Why the long wait?
A year and a half sounds like forever when you just want to see more blocky action. But think about the first one. It took roughly three months to shoot in New Zealand and then an entire year for the editors to make everything look... well, like a cube. Jared Hess, the director, is returning, and he’s apparently obsessed with making the biomes even more detailed this time around.
What Really Happened in the First Movie?
If you missed the first one or just need a refresher before the sequel talk gets too deep, here is the gist. We followed four "misfits": Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison (Momoa), a tech-savvy kid named Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen), his sister Natalie (Emma Myers), and a real estate agent named Dawn (Danielle Brooks).
They got sucked through a portal into the Overworld.
Basically, they ran into Steve, played by Jack Black. He had been stuck there for years, looking a bit "unrefined" with a beard that could house a family of birds. He taught them the basics: don't go out at night, how to craft a crafting table, and how to deal with the Piglin army led by a witch named Malgosha.
It was goofy. It was weird. There was a scene with "Lava Chicken" and a dance party. But it worked. The movie tapped into that specific sense of humor that Napoleon Dynamite fans recognize—which makes sense since Jared Hess directed both.
What's the Story for Minecraft Movie 2?
Plot details are being guarded more tightly than a chest of diamonds on a hardcore server. However, we have some breadcrumbs.
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The official announcement for the sequel featured an image with two Netherite pickaxes. If you play the game, you know Netherite is the endgame stuff. It’s better than diamond. It’s tough. This suggests the stakes are going up. We might be moving past the simple survival stage and into the "End" territory.
Rumors and "The Aether"
There is a lot of talk on Reddit about whether we'll see the Aether. For years, players tried to build that glowstone portal with water, hoping to reach the heaven dimension, only to realize it was a mod. It would be a massive "fan-service" win if the movie actually went there.
Momoa also teased that the script for the second film is "even better" than the first. He admitted the first script "perplexed" him at first, but this one apparently had him laughing out loud.
Returning Cast: Who is back?
- Jason Momoa: Confirmed. He’s producing and starring.
- Jack Black: Pretty much a lock. You can't have a Minecraft movie without Steve.
- The Misfits: It's unclear if Emma Myers or Danielle Brooks will return. The ending of the first film saw them return to the real world, but in Hollywood, portals have a way of opening back up.
Why This Movie Matters for Gaming
For a long time, video game movies were a curse. They were almost always terrible. But after The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Last of Us, the "curse" is dead.
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The Minecraft movie proved that you don't need a complex, gritty plot to win. You just need the "vibe." The first film featured cameos from massive creators like DanTDM and Mumbo Jumbo. It felt like a love letter to the community, even if the "hyper-realistic" animals were a bit jarring at first.
It's also about the money. Making nearly $1 billion means Minecraft is now a top-tier cinematic franchise. We aren't just getting a sequel; we're likely looking at a "Minecraft Cinematic Universe."
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're waiting for July 2027, you've got some time to kill. Here is how to stay ahead of the hype:
- Watch the First One on Max: If you haven't seen it, it started streaming on June 20, 2025. It’s the best way to catch all the Easter eggs, including the nod to Technoblade.
- Keep an eye on New Zealand news: Since filming starts in April 2026, expect some leaked set photos around May or June. Auckland is where those "ginormous soundstages" are located.
- Check Minecraft Live: Mojang usually drops a "making of" or a teaser during their annual Minecraft Live events. The 2026 event will likely have the first official footage from the sequel.
- Follow the Cast: Jack Black and Jason Momoa have been posting "behind the scenes" clips on Instagram. They have a total "bromance" going on that's honestly more entertaining than some of the movie's dialogue.
The world of Minecraft is vast. The first movie barely scratched the surface of the biomes. We've seen the Overworld and a bit of the Nether, but the End, the Deep Dark, and the Ancient Cities are still waiting. July 2027 can't come soon enough.
To stay ready for the release, make sure your Max subscription is active and keep your eyes peeled for the first teaser trailer, which will likely drop during the 2026 holiday season.