"Meme" Movies, Gen Alpha, and Social Media
Happy Film Friday!! 🎞️✮⋆˙
A Minecraft Movie (2025) is Warner Bros’ newest attempt at channeling the love fans have for a game (or show, or concept, or whatever nostalgic thing comes to mind) and turning it into a blockbuster movie.
But, I didn’t write this article to talk about the Minecraft movie. I haven’t even seen it.
This is a small, small, part of a larger picture that needs discussing…
Are these types of movies performing well? If not, why are they being made? Is social media to blame? Is it THE KIDS??!
Let’s dive into it.
Do y’all remember when Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) came out? That movie had everyone back in theaters and dressed up. Literally. And listen, I did go and watch it with some friends, and we had a good time! Sue us!
I bring this movie up because it stands for the same thing The Minecraft Movie stands for: made-for-kids movies which also perform well with other age groups.
At the point of me posting this, the Minecraft Movie has grossed $200 million domestically. Which makes it the highest grossing movie of the year, and it’s only been out for ONE WEEK.
Here’s what it boils down to…
social media
What both of these movies have in common, and every other “meme” movie that has come out in recent history, is the power of social media.
There are multiple audiences that movies like this are trying to reach. The audience that you don’t have to convince: kids who love (fill in the blank: minecraft, despicable me, etc.), adults who love those same things, and people who watch every movie that comes out regardless of if it’s good or not.
Then, you have the audience you do have to convince to watch your movie. What better way to do some convincing than utilizing social media to your advantage. The amount of content I’ve seen on social media promoting this movie is insane. Kids posting their trendy videos. People giving reviews. The movie is basically raking in the free promo. All of these types of movies are this way! People on social media put in the work, and the movie performs the way it does because of it.
I’m not here to convince you whether or not you should see these movies in theaters. Honestly, I think the entertainment value they provide is worthwhile.
Who am I to stop a family from having a good time watching Jack Black or Steve Carrell while they make kids smile?
Thanks for reading y’all! Short little article for today since my brain is so fried from writing essays for school…lol.
If you would like to support my writings you can always feel free to buy me a coffee!⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡
Much love,
angela °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･♡
Agree!!!