video game franchise Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Minecraft Movie Hits Streaming With Star-Studded Cast

A Minecraft Movie, a live-action and animated hybrid inspired by the video game franchise, became available for purchase or rental on digital platforms starting May 13, following a successful box office run that grossed nearly a billion globally since its April debut. The film can be bought for .99 or rented for .99, with no Amazon Prime membership required, though a free Amazon account is necessary. The storyline features four heroes, played by Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen, who are trapped in the Minecraft realm and seek help from Jack Black's character, Steve. The cast includes Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, Jared Hess, and Matt Berry. The film has gained popularity among Gen Z and Alpha audiences, leading to viral trends and internet memes.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

New Movies on Streaming: ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘Snow White’ + More

Several highly anticipated films are now available on Video on Demand (VOD), including A Minecraft Movie and Disney's live-action Snow White. The Wedding Banquet is a modern retelling of the 1993 classic, featuring Han Gi-Chan as Min, a gay Korean man in Seattle. Min's friend Angela, played by Kelly Marie Tran, agrees to a marriage of convenience to help him secure a green card, leading to complications when Min's grandmother arrives for the wedding. A Minecraft Movie features a cast that includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, and Danielle Brooks, and is the first cinematic adaptation of the video game franchise. Disney's live-action Snow White stars Rachel Zegler and follows a young princess with seven computer-generated companions as she deals with her stepmother's obsession with beauty. The following titles are available for rent: A Minecraft Movie, The Wedding Banquet, Snow White, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, The Lost Princess, Topakk, Solitude, The Featherweight, The Severed Sun, Hunting Grounds, Desert Dawn, The Rhythm, The Uninvited, Bound (2025), A Breed Apart, V13, Burner, Mulan Princess Warrior, Off Season, The Darkside of Society, Silent Partners, Meme Gods, and Southern Village.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Minecraft Franchise Pixelates on an International Scale

A Minecraft Movie made its theatrical debut last month, achieving a record-breaking release. The franchise has over 200 licensing partners worldwide, expanding its reach through various collaborations that enhance both the film and the gaming experience. Notable U.S. partnerships include Fossil, which launched a collection of luxury accessories; Woobles, offering crochet kits; Crocs, with Minecraft-licensed footwear and Jibbitz; and Home Chef, creating themed meal kits. Internationally, new tabletop games and pinball machines are set to launch in August 2025, along with pet and camping gear in Europe, bedding in Mexico, crafting supplies in Japan, and party essentials in Brazil. Bandai will debut its health and beauty line in Japan in September, with additional rollouts planned. Food and beverage initiatives include offerings from San Carlo in Italy, Marumiya in Japan, Finsbury Foods in the UK and France, and Norco in Australia and New Zealand, as well as new snacks and dairy products across Europe and Brazil. Dairy Farmers of America released Minecraft-inspired vanilla-flavored green milk in March.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

REVIEW: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ calls for a first watch, but not much more

The film "A Minecraft Movie" follows siblings Henry and Natalie as they navigate their mother's loss and relocate to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. They embark on an adventure with Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison and realtor Dawn, leading them to the Overworld. The plot is coherent, with whimsical moments, but struggles to incorporate nostalgic elements due to its runtime of one hour and 40 minutes. Creative liberties, such as Henry's "tot launcher," may alienate some fans. The film balances humor and deeper character development, though juvenile humor often overshadows serious themes. Jack Black's performance is noted for its commitment but can be exaggerated. The visual design opts for a realistic style, which contrasts with the game's blocky aesthetic. Overall, the film celebrates creativity and offers an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Jack Black says hold the popcorn: ‘Minecraft’ fans get a message about messy ‘chicken jockey’ trend

Jack Black recently expressed disapproval of unruly fan behavior during screenings of "A Minecraft Movie," where he humorously urged viewers to maintain decorum, advising against throwing popcorn and referencing his character with the phrase "chicken jockey." Videos showed chaotic scenes of fans throwing objects and cheering during a pivotal moment in the film. The "Minecraft" franchise has inspired numerous memes, and the film's opening weekend grossed a record-breaking 7 million domestically and 4 million internationally, making it the highest-grossing video game adaptation, surpassing "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." The film features a cast including Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Epic Games CEO Refutes Rumors Of FORTNITE Movie Following A MINECRAFT MOVIE Success

Insider Daniel Richtman hinted at the possibility of a Fortnite movie in a now-deleted social media post, stating that some studios have passed on the project. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney denied the rumor with a "False" response, leaving ambiguity regarding whether he was refuting the existence of a Fortnite movie or the claims about studios' hesitance. Richtman later sought clarification from Sweeney about whether Sony had passed on the opportunity to make a Fortnite movie a few years ago, but Sweeney has not addressed this follow-up. Fortnite has established itself as a cultural touchstone, influencing various aspects of entertainment and hosting in-game events with renowned artists. A Fortnite film could present a lucrative opportunity for studios, especially considering its collaborations with major franchises. A Minecraft Movie, which has had box office success despite mixed reviews, raises questions about audience interest in a Fortnite adaptation.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

A Minecraft Movie North America Box Office: Jason Momoa Starrer Has An Outside Chance Of Defeating Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Debut!

Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released last year, has grossed over .9 million worldwide and is the tenth highest-grossing film of the past year. It opened with million at the U.S. box office and had a production budget of 0 million. The upcoming A Minecraft Movie, set to release on April 4, stars Jason Momoa and has a reported budget of 0 million. Projections for its opening weekend earnings range between million and million, with some estimates suggesting it could exceed million. The film's narrative involves four misfits navigating a fantastical realm with the help of a crafting expert.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

We asked two parkour athletes to rate the realism of Assassin’s Creed’s acrobatics, and a surprising ‘crime against parkour’ might actually be one of the most realistic things they saw

Parkour athletes Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK-based team Storror analyzed the parkour mechanics in the Assassin's Creed video game series in a recent episode of Reality Check. They noted that while the game portrays thrilling parkour techniques, it often exaggerates realism. Segar mentioned that the game's "leaps of faith" could theoretically be executed from heights of up to eight stories with perfect precision, but in reality, such jumps could be dangerous. Cave pointed out the unrealistic endurance and flawless execution of characters in the game, contrasting it with the meticulous planning required in real parkour. The Storror team is also developing their own parkour simulation game, set to enter early access on Steam by the end of March.

AppWizard

March 12, 2025

The New Minecraft Movie Is Coming Soon – Watch The Final Trailer To Get Set

A Minecraft Movie is set to premiere in theaters on April 4, 2025, in the United States, with international audiences getting an earlier look on April 2, 2025. The film is directed by Jared Hess and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, featuring a cast that includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen. The narrative follows four unlikely heroes who are transported into the Minecraft universe, where they must navigate challenges and learn to craft their own destiny. The film will blend live-action and CGI, aiming to capture the essence of the game. IMAX screenings will be available across North America. Pre-sales for tickets have begun.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

The latest installment in the Indiana Jones video game franchise, titled "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle," has received a range of reviews. VG247 and VCG both awarded it a perfect score of 100, praising its nostalgic Hollywood blockbuster feel. God is a Geek and HardcoreGamer rated it 80, highlighting its authenticity and gameplay while suggesting improvements in combat mechanics. PCGamer gave it a score of 86, comparing it to elite licensed games. GameSpot and IGN both rated it 90, commending its story and focus on stealth and exploration. The game is set in 1937, where players control Indiana Jones to stop sinister forces from obtaining an ancient power. It is developed by MachineGames, with Todd Howard involved in its design. Engadget noted that while the narrative is strong, the game could benefit from mechanical polishing.