'Chicken jockey' chaos: Minecraft movie trend sparks cinema mayhem

A global trend inspired by the new Minecraft movie has taken a dangerous turn, after a fire extinguisher was let off inside a packed Melbourne cinema.

The bizarre craze has fans erupt during a specific scene in the film when Jack Black’s character introduces a creature called a "chicken jockey" – a pixelated baby zombie riding a chicken.

But what began as a playful online trend, with people throwing popcorn and cheering, has now escalated into full-blown cinema disruption.

Footage from a Tuesday night screening shows chaos inside Ringwood’s Hoyts theatre, as smoke from a fire extinguisher fills the air and moviegoers flee their seats, coughing and screaming.

The incident left the theatre covered in white powder and has sparked fresh concerns about safety during screenings. Some cinemas have now added security and introduced warnings before the movie begins, asking audiences not to throw food or bring in props.

In the United States, one movie theatre was forced to pause the film and remove a student after they brought in a live chicken. Staff described the scene as "complete chaos" as confetti cannons went off and the bird ran loose inside the auditorium.

Now authorities have warned that anyone disrupting screenings or causing damage could be referred to police and charged.

While many online are calling it the most fun they’ve had at the movies in years, others say the behaviour is putting people at risk.

Despite the backlash, the film’s director Jared Hess has defended the phenomenon.

“It’s weird when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I’ve seen so many funny videos. I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.”

But in Melbourne this week, those memories turned into mayhem, leaving some parents and cinemagoers questioning if the joke has gone too far.

The Minecraft movie continues to dominate the global box office.