The Incredible Evolution of MINECRAFT’s Chicken Jockey_1 Warner Bros./Legendary

The Incredible Evolution of MINECRAFT’s Chicken Jockey

Originally posted on Nerdist | By Dan Casey | Last updated May 2, 2025 1:01 PM ET

With two simple words, Jack Black changed the pop culture landscape: “Chicken Jockey!”

Those words from A Minecraft Movie have become a rallying cry, summoning hordes of superfans to flock to screenings of Warner Bros. and Legendary’s big-screen adaptation of the mega-popular video game. The film, directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre), is closing in on $1 billion at the box office and has generated nearly as many memeable moments. But despite choruses of “I am Steve!” and “Water bucket, release!”, nothing has made quite as seismic an impact as the Chicken Jockey.

The Chicken Jockey in question is straight out of the game, an ultra-rare monster that players can encounter if the conditions are just right. In the movie, the Chicken Jockey is an initially unassuming but ultimately fearsome foe, an adorable baby zombie riding a chicken like a warhorse. The Chicken Jockey’s arrival, ominously heralded by Jack Black’s Steve, has become one A Minecraft Movie’s most quoted moments and whipped audiences into a popcorn-fueled frenzy.

But what is it about the Chicken Jockey scene that resonates so deeply with people? To find out, Nerdist sat down with director Jared Hess to break down the scene in detail, using some exclusive behind-the-scenes materials like concept art and an early animatic of the scene. From deep-cut Minecraft references to deleted scenes that didn’t make the cut, here’s everything you always wanted to know about the Chicken Jockey scene but were too afraid to ask.

A Minecraft Movie is in theaters now, but there’s something special in the works. Beginning on May 2, fans can experience A Minecraft Movie: Block Party Edition, a special sing-and-meme-along experience for everyone out there who yearns for the mines and the crafts in equal measure. So grab some popcorn and prepare to join your fellow Steve superfans in celebrating the moment that everyone’s favorite undead equestrian engages in fowl play at this Blocky Horror Picture Show.

Editor’s note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks

This article first appeared on Nerdist and was syndicated with permission.

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