Okotoks Cinemas sets new rules in response to chaotic ‘chicken jockey’ trend – HighRiverOnline.com

An online trend surrounding A Minecraft Movie has reached Okotoks Cinemas, prompting action from the local business.

The “chicken jockey” meme is a trend that started over the course of the movie’s opening weekend, quickly spreading and escalating to the point where countless theatres have posted signage and even banned unaccompanied minors from viewing the film.

A Minecraft Movie is an adaptation of the immensely popular game and has been the subject of online memes since it was first revealed.

These memes typically focus on the perceived absurdity of the movie and its main character, Steve, whose unsubtle penchant for name-dropping elements from the game has become a running joke.

The original Minecraft game is populated by monsters or “mobs,” including animals like cows, sheep, and chickens, as well as aggressive mobs like skeletons, spiders, and zombies.

In the context of the game, a “chicken jockey” is a baby zombie riding a chicken.

The movie features a scene in which Jason Momoa’s character faces off against a chicken in a boxing ring. After the chicken is mounted by a baby zombie, Jack Black’s character, Steve, exclaims ‘Chicken jockey!’

Moviegoers have taken to the chicken jockey scene in particular, clapping and cheering with ironic enthusiasm when the line is spoken, emulating viral reactions seen in Marvel movies from years prior.

Videos documenting peoples’ over-the-top reactions soon spread and reactions became more and more exaggerated, with audiences bursting out in raucous applause and throwing popcorn and drinks.

As dumb as the meme is this is the 5th or 6th video ive seen of an entire theatre going crazy when the chicken $jockey drops out.

If i had to bet (and i am), kids will continue doing this all week.

Chart looks great and mindshare/attention has peaked every day since release.… pic.twitter.com/gSVzHkW0vT

— thismarketisfake (@OnChainTerror) April 8, 2025

Okotoks Cinemas was among the theatres to screen the movie and experience the chicken jockey fervour over the weekend.

“We did have a completely sold-out weekend, we added extra shows on Friday and Saturday,” said general manager Amber Wigg. “We did hear some clapping and cheering during that chicken jockey scene, but it wasn’t really a problem until Sunday.”

The meme escalated in person just as it did online, with local audiences becoming increasingly rambunctious as the weekend progressed.

By Sunday, snacks and drinks were being flung.

While Wigg understands the appeal of the meme and wanting to be a part of the excitement, the game’s appeal to younger audiences means many families are also keen to see the film.

“It was really difficult for some viewers to understand. If you have younger kids and you’re taking them to see Minecraft, you might not understand this trend and you don’t know why everyone is being so disruptive. At the same time, if you’re on social media, this is a really fun trend and you want to get into it. But it did kind of come to a head on Sunday night and got a little out of hand. Popcorn and drinks were thrown, and we did have to refund a pile of tickets for some families.”

The theatre’s management came together to figure out a solution, and they’ve put some rules in place.

Matinee screenings are now deemed as “quiet shows,” with audiences expected to calmly watch the film as usual, while evening screenings will allow audiences to cheer and embrace the meme, within reason.

Signs are now in place at the cinema to explain the new rules around A Minecraft Movie. OkotoksOnline/Harrison O’Nyons

“Movies like the Taylor Swift concert and the Minions movie showed us that we can interact with our movies, and interacting is fun, but it has to be done respectfully,” explains Wigg. “In our evening shows, we are going to allow the cheering and clapping, as long as nothing is thrown. We’ve made it very clear that if you throw popcorn or drinks, you get removed immediately, and you do not get a refund. It becomes dangerous for other patrons and you really do start to ruin their enjoyment as well.”

Signs explaining these rules have been posted at the cinema’s entrance and next to the movie’s poster, with graphics also being displayed on-screen.

Wigg believes the cinema has struck a fair balance of providing audiences with both kinds of viewing experiences.

“We still want people to come out and enjoy the Minecraft Movie, we’ve got a tonne of extra showtimes coming up, just make sure you come during a time that’s going to work for you, whether you want it to be a nice, quiet, traditional movie experience, or you want to enjoy those memes, make sure you come at the right time.”

Graphics are now displayed on theatre screens reminding audiences of the new rules. OkotoksOnline/Harrison O’Nyons