Chaos Erupts at Township Theatre Over ‘Minecraft Movie’ Trend

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A new trend sparked by the release of ‘The Minecraft Movie‘ has led to chaotic scenes in movie theaters, particularly at Township Theatre, where a group of unruly teenagers left a significant mess on opening night.

The disturbance stems from a viral social media trend known as the ‘Chicken Jockey,’ where attendees create mayhem when a character voiced by Jack Black mentions the phrase during a fight scene. This phenomenon has taken hold among children and teenagers, leading to rampant behavior in local theaters.

On Friday night, the theater’s owner, Laura Rose, reported that a considerable group of young boys, allegedly from Waldwick, caused extensive disorder, resulting in vandalism. “It’s crazy to me that they’ll do damage somewhere and then post it,” Rose said. “Our daughter saw a TikTok of a bunch of boys who had recorded themselves at our theatre causing mayhem, screaming and throwing lotion all over the seats.”

In addition to the mess, the theater’s staff found that some seats had been ripped from the floor during the chaos. Rose shared, “They proceeded to throw popcorn, spill their drinks, [and] make a menace of themselves.”

The situation prompted the management to implement new rules aimed at ensuring a more controlled environment. Over the weekend, the family-run theater took to Facebook to inform the community of their updated policy: “Any minors wishing to see ‘The Minecraft Movie’ MUST be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Unaccompanied groups of boys will not be admitted.”

Rose acknowledged that while “kids will be kids,” the behavior exhibited went beyond acceptable limits. Complaints had also been filed by other patrons who were at the theater with their families, reflecting the broader impact of the incident.

In an effort to emphasize safety and responsibility, the management has placed caution tape across the stage to clearly signal that it is off limits. “I encourage parents to talk to their kids about being respectful in public,” Rose added, highlighting the need for communal respect in shared spaces.

As the local community grapples with the consequences of the viral trend, Township Theatre Management hopes that these new rules will help maintain a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for all moviegoers.