Celebrating Chicken Jockey

By Mira Reddy May 21, 2025

Yunxi Zhu

A baby green pixelated zombie with thin black hair and a two-tone blue outfit zooms by, riding on a white and red chicken. But be careful, as this figure is not just an adorable baby—it is a monster that can evoke violence and destruction in Minecraft with a flash of its pointy teeth. This wacky phenomenon players call “chicken jockey” has been transformed into a cinematic reality with the blockbuster film “A Minecraft Movie.” The new movie adaptation has taken the box office by storm, grossing 550 million dollars and claiming the title of the most profitable film of this year. Fueling its popularity are a flurry of humorous scenes spreading on social media, such as “flint and steel” and “I am Steve.” Yet, one meme has risen above the rest: the Chicken Jockey, an iconic moment that has evoked the most

thrilling reactions from cinema-goers across the nation.

As bizarre as the phrase “chicken jockey” may sound, it holds a special place in the hearts of many Minecraft fans—it is an extremely rare occurrence in Minecraft where an infant zombie sits upon a chicken. As per USA Today, the chance of seeing one is less than 1%.

“Three years ago, I experienced my first chicken jockey. At once, I began to jump up and down, screaming at the top of my lungs. I killed it first—before it could make a move on me—but it was the pinnacle of my Minecraft career,” Sophomore Sathvik Konduru said.

In response to actor Jack Black’s exhilarating reaction to the Chicken Jockey's appearance in the film, fans have tossed trays of popcorn into the air as greasy confetti, popped open cans of soft drinks like champagne bottles, and initiated special backflipping performances over movie seats. One fan even brought a live chicken into the theatre.

Similar behavior has been observed for other blockbuster films, such as “Avengers: Endgame,” where the audience broke into cheers and applause when Captain America lifts Thor’s hammer. Additionally, in the 2000s film, “Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!”, children collectively expressed their disbelief in theaters when Pikachu spoke his first words to his owner.

Though many fans who participate in these uncontrolled reactions only wish to express joy in the moment, there are causes for concern. The janitorial staff must tackle the task of cleaning up the aftermath of the screening, and families that arrive at the theatre in anticipation of a calm movie experience may be shocked by extreme fan reactions.

Viewers should be able to exercise their right to freedom of expression, yet they must first consider how their actions may negatively impact the experiences of other audience members and the staff.

“Audience members can yell to express excitement, but throwing popcorn is where these reactions become excessive. The janitorial staff get paid the minimum wage for their job; they should not have to deal with messes resulting from rude behavior,” Freshman Ava Williams said.

“A Minecraft Movie” will be remembered as one of the most notable films of the year, as it has connected people in theaters worldwide with its hilarious moments and plethora of memes. Audience reactions around the world have demonstrated startling levels of creativity in attempts to have fun and gain attention on social media. “A Minecraft Movie” and the Chicken Jockey pave a path for the future of the entertainment industry, although it will always be important to prioritize the contentment of others around, from movie fanatics to the staff who ensure that each visitor has an experience to cherish.

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About the Contributors

Mira Reddy

Staff Writer

Mira Reddy is a freshman at Leland High School, a Staff writer, and a Media team member. This is her first year in journalism. She loves to swim, spend time with family and friends, read books, eat food, and watch Netflix.

Isabella Zhu

Artist

Isabella is a Staff Writer/Artist, and this is her first year in Journalism. Isabella is deathly scared of running, but does cross country anyways. Her favorite things to do outside of journalism are eating, walking, and sleeping.