Netflix and Mojang Studios are collaborating to bring the beloved Minecraft universe to streaming with a brand-new CG-animated series. The announcement was made on May 30, 2024, during the 15th anniversary celebration of the game.
Also Read: YouTube Makes Playables Games Available to all Users
The series was announced during Minecraft’s 15th anniversary. A short teaser trailer was released, featuring iconic elements from the game.
The teaser opens with a Creeper, one of Minecraft’s most recognizable creatures which then explodes. The scene transitions through lava streams in the Nether and emerges into a cave where the Netflix logo is displayed on a rock.
Sounds of Minecraft creatures such as spiders and zombies can be heard in the background. The trailer ends with “Netflix x Minecraft,” followed by “animated series” and “coming soon.”
The series will be CG-animated. It is being produced by WildBrain, the Canadian studio known for other Netflix series such as “Sonic Prime,” “Ninjago: Dragons Rising,” and “Carmen Sandiego.”
WildBrain has a History of Producing Popular Animated Content, Including:
- “Johnny Test,” which was revived on Netflix in 2022.
- “The Snoopy Show” and “Snoopy in Space” on Apple TV+.
- “Fireman Sam” on the UK’s Channel 5.
The series will feature an original story and new characters. It aims to present the Minecraft world in a new light although specific plot details have not been disclosed.
Minecraft was released in 2009 by Swedish developer Mojang Studios. The game is the best-selling video game in history, with over 300 million copies sold. It has an estimated 140 million monthly active players as of the previous year.
The Game has Inspired Numerous Spinoffs Including:
- Minecraft: Story Mode
- Minecraft Earth
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Minecraft Legends
This Animated Series is Part of an Expansion of the Minecraft Franchise which includes:
- Live events
- Consumer products
- A feature film
- The upcoming Minecraft movie is backed by Warner Bros. and Legendary.
The film features Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Jared Hess is directing the film, with a screenplay by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer.
Also Read: Hellblade 2 Review: A Visual Spectacle Hindered by Gameplay Potholes
Minecraft Joins a Growing List of Video Game Adaptations for Television:
- “Fallout” and “Tomb Raider” (Amazon)
- “Halo” (Paramount+)
- “The Last of Us” (HBO)
- “Resident Evil” and “The Witcher” (Netflix)
Minecraft allows players to build 3D worlds out of colorful blocks. Players can engage in various activities including exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat. It is considered a “sandbox game,” encouraging creativity and interaction among players.
WildBrain has produced several successful series for Netflix and other platforms. Their experience with CG animation and storytelling makes them a fitting choice for the Minecraft series.
The series is highly anticipated by both fans of the game and general audiences. The teaser trailer has already generated buzz.
While the teaser states “coming soon,” Netflix’s precedent suggests the series could debut anywhere within the next two years.
Minecraft, officially launched in 2011, has sold over 300 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time. The game’s success has spawned multiple spinoff games and various adaptations, cementing its place in gaming history.
Netflix previously featured Minecraft content with the release of Minecraft: Story Mode in 2018. Developed by the original Telltale Games, this narrative-driven game was first released in 2015 and later adapted for Netflix.
Also Read: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Officially Revealed, An Open World Dual Samurai/Ninja Action
Story Mode was removed from the platform in late 2022, making way for new Minecraft-related projects.
Minecraft is being adapted into a live-action movie. The film will star Jack Black (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) as Steve, along with Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Danielle Brooks (Peacemaker), and Emma Myers (Wednesday).
Directed by Jared Hess and written by Chris Bowman and Hubble Palmer, the movie is produced by Legendary Pictures, Mojang, and Vertigo Entertainment. The Minecraft movie is set for release on April 4, 2025.
Netflix has previously achieved success with animated versions of games such as Castlevania, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and the League of Legends spin-off Arcane.
Minecraft’s procedural, blocky world allows players to explore, gather resources, craft tools, and build structures, fostering creativity and collaboration.
The game has a vast, active community, with players engaging in both cooperative and competitive gameplay.
Microsoft, which acquired Minecraft in 2014 for $2.5 billion, continues to leverage the game’s popularity to engage players.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has addressed the importance of keeping players engaged through various media tie-ins including film and TV adaptations.
A teaser trailer released during the anniversary celebration features a green Creeper from the game, hinting at the upcoming series.
Upcoming projects based on games like Among Us, Death Stranding, and Stray show the growing interest in bringing video game narratives to the screen.
Netflix is at the forefront of this movement developing projects based on a wide range of gaming franchises including Dota 2, Gears of War, Splinter Cell, Tomb Raider, and Mega Man.
Also Read: Super Mario 64’s Mystery Door Unlocked After 28 Years
