Ok, What the Hell Is a Chicken Jockey in ‘Minecraft,’ and Why Are Kids Losing Their Minds Over It?
You only have to spend five minutes on the internet to see clips of screenings of A Minecraft Movie erupting as Jack Black utters the now-famous words “chicken jockey.” Yet, moviegoers who have never played Minecraft may be confused as to why this small mob has become such a big hit. The answer is not cut and dry; instead it is a combination of things aligning at the right time. In-game, chicken jockeys are extremely rare, so seeing one in the movie is definitely cause for celebration, but the reactions extend beyond lucrativity. The Woodland Mansion is arguably more elusive and doesn’t warrant the same reaction. Therefore, the aesthetic of the chicken jockey has to be considered; the sheer ridiculousness of it as a concept, partnered with Black’s line delivery, provides a memorable and reproducible clip.
What Is a Chicken Jockey in ‘Minecraft’?
A chicken jockey consists of a baby zombie riding on top of a chicken within Minecraft, and they are a dangerous hostile mob, particularly due to their speed. The chances of seeing one in-game are small, making a sighting noteworthy to the player. There are slight variations to their mechanics in the different editions of the game. In Java Minecraft, the original coding of the game, baby zombies will spawn directly on a chicken. However, in Bedrock Minecraft, 15% of naturally spawned baby zombies can mount another mob. This difference means chicken jockeys are even rarer because of the sheer number of potential mobs a baby zombie can mount.
In A Minecraft Movie, the baby zombie is the vanilla version of the mob, but a jockey can appear slightly differently based on the biome and they can sometimes be seen wielding a weapon. Unlike in the movie, which sees the baby zombie dismount the chicken to attack Garrett (Jason Momoa), the chicken jockey works as one entity. However, if the player successfully kills the baby zombie, the chicken will turn passive, now unable to lay eggs and usually despawning. Also, the chances of a chicken jockey spawning in the Woodland Mansion are essentially non-existent, as it would require a chicken wandering in and a baby zombie spawning; it’s possible but highly improbable.
Why Has the Chicken Jockey Scene Gone So Viral?
Of all the ridiculous moments in A Minecraft Movie, Jason Momoa gearing himself up to fight a chicken might be the most bizarre. The slight pause of confusion before a large wooden crate drops a zombie onto the chicken’s back allows the build-up to soak up its goofiness. However, what has truly made the moment so iconic is the way Jack Black crescendos his delivery when announcing the chicken jockey; there is a curvature to his voice that stands out. The following sequence of the zombie alternating between sweet and vicious is authentically fun and engaging. There is something about this baby zombie circling up and weeping like a toddler before turning around and grimacing that perfectly sums up the unapologetic tone of A Minecraft Movie.
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Clips online of this moment show the mania surrounding it, with videos emerging of viewers jumping from their seats with flying popcorn and an eruption of noise. The moment can only be likened to the moment Captain America uttered the words “Avengers Assemble” in Avengers: Endgame. Although criticism could arise at cinema etiquette, this moment actually holds huge significance for a new generation of moviegoers. For pre-teens, A Minecraft Movie will likely serve as one of their first experiences of collectiveness at the cinema, and this is vital for the continuation of the industry. The buildup to this one singular line followed by the shared euphoria is addicting. It is clear A Minecraft Movie has firmly slotted itself into the lineup of most memorable movies of the decade. The nuances of what makes the chicken jockey act as the pinnacle of this are a mix of its instant recognizability and the fact it captures the essence of Minecraft; it is so uniquely related to the game that it becomes instantly repostable. It might seem like such a minor moment to be excited over, but it actually serves as a hugely important moment in cinema.
- Release Date
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April 4, 2025
- Runtime
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101 minutes
- Director
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Jared Hess
- Writers
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Chris Galletta, Gavin James, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Allison Schroeder, Chris Bowman
- Producers
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Jason Momoa, Jill Messick, Mary Parent, Roy Lee, Todd Hallowell, Cale Boyter, Jon Berg, Jon Spaihts, Brian Andrew Mendoza, Vu Bui, Lydia Winters
