Minecraft movie's Chicken Jockey feels like an unlikely Rocky Horror moment for Gen Z

I never thought I’d write these words, but A Minecraft Movie seems to be having its Rocky Horror Picture Show moment. I don’t mean Jack Black has swapped a baggy teal T-shirt for corset and suspenders, or that Jason Momoa has traded tight denim jeans for golden hotpants, although what a film that would be. But I do mean it’s close to establishing the sort of baked-in rituals that make a cult classic. A Minecraft Movie becoming a cult classic – who would have thought?

Look, I realise I’m talking about two distinctly different things. A Minecraft Movie is pushing $1bn at the box office, making it the second most successful video game movie ever, whereas The Rocky Horror Show struggled upon opening and barely lasted a few weeks in cinemas. It was also filmed on a tiny budget and the actors were dangerously cold the whole time. It wasn’t until audiences took it upon themselves to invent call-back lines and come wearing costumes to Rocky Horror showings, and until they started throwing confetti and rice at specific moments, that it took off. That’s the point at which the rowdy rituals associated with the movie became appealing customs, and repeat showings became a thing. 50 years later, the film and associated stage show are still going strong. There are annual showings where I live, attended by costumed crowds, and fairly regular stage production tours – I’ve been to a couple.

Importantly for what we’re about to discuss, this audience partiparticipation at Rocky Horror is never explained. You don’t get a programme upon entering that clues you in to what you’re supposed to do. It just happens and you either know when to join in or you don’t. Participation is a fandom flex. It’s a sign that you’ve done your homework. A sign you belong. And to bring it back to A Minecraft Movie, that’s what “Chicken Jockey” is about.

We know Chicken Jockey now as the moment in the Minecraft film where Jack Black’s character Steve yells “Chicken Jockey” and everyone throws popcorn around. In the days and weeks following the film’s release, there were a string of headlines (in the national press no less) about auditoriums erupting in mayhem at this point. It got to be such a problem Jack Black visited a theatre to calm the audience down. But why? What is it about Chicken Jockey that’s so exciting? It’s just a baby zombie on a chicken. What’s so special about that?