A Minecraft Movie

Name: New Zealand Film Commission
Price range: $

Building Blocks of Minecraft: From Digital Pixels to Physical Sets

International Production

Feature 2025 Action & Adventure, Comedy 101 minutes

New Zealand’s lush landscapes, world-class crews, and innovative technology transformed the game’s pixelated Overworld into a cinematic universe. Shot entirely in Aotearoa New Zealand, the production showcases Kiwi talent, craftsmanship, and versatile locations, creating a film that feels tangible, immersive and unforgettable.

Watch the Trailer

Filmed on location in the Auckland and Waikato regions

Production design by Academy Award-winner Grant Major

Over 85% New Zealand crew powering production

Motion capture, visual effects, and post-production services delivered in New Zealand

Huntley as Ohio

Location Look Book

Director Jared Hess, known for cult classics like Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, found his ideal canvas in New Zealand. “Shooting in New Zealand was one of the best production experiences of my whole life,” Hess says. “The crew was unbelievable. Everybody was so dialed-in, they were 10 steps ahead of you. All the locations were incredible”.

From Huntly to Helensville, the production scouted authentic locations to portray both the real-world town of fictional Chuglass, Idaho and elements of the Minecraft universe. Huntly’s American-style streets and towering power station were reimagined as a quirky small town and potato chip factory setting, while Helensville stood in for Garrett’s retro “Game Over” arcade and the mobile petting zoo.

Designing outside the box

New Zealand didn’t just provide stunning backdrops, it powered the film’s heartbeat. Over 85% of the crew were New Zealanders, including world-class department heads across production design, props, and costume.

Academy Award-winning production designer Grant Major (The Lord of the Rings, King Kong) led the transformation of Minecraft’s blocky digital aesthetic into tangible, cinematic sets. “It was very important for us to obey the rules of Minecraft,” Major explains. “At the same time, the story has real people in it, so there’s a physical world and digital world crossover that I had to navigate. That was a daily journey.”

Working alongside Major, New Zealand set decorator Amber Richards and prop master Matt Cornelius brought the Overworld to life, from Steve’s iconic stash room to cubic apples and textured dirt blocks. Their attention to detail earned praise from Mojang and visiting Minecraft influencers alike.

Local talent also added unique flavor on screen. Kiwi comedic icons Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords made memorable cameos, while Jason Momoa, also a producer, felt an immediate connection to Aotearoa. “The very first moment I landed, it was the first place I've been where I was like, ‘Wow, this is where I want to be,’” he shared. “It made sense for Minecraft to shoot here because it's one of the biggest, most beautiful worlds you can make. And there's a whole lot of behind-the-scenes talent here too.”

Costume designer Amanda Neale, based in New Zealand, drew inspiration directly from the country’s flora. “I was obsessed with the fauna, the trees, the flowers and particularly the mushrooms,” she says. These natural elements informed the wardrobe designs, adding warmth and whimsy to the characters’ Overworld transformations.

“It made sense for Minecraft to shoot here because it's one of the biggest, most beautiful worlds you can make. And there's a whole lot of behind-the-scenes talent here too”.

/ Jason Momoa

Creative Collaboration and VFX Talent

A film as visually ambitious as A Minecraft Movie needed a VFX team capable of translating a digital world into a fully immersive cinematic universe—and New Zealand delivered. Renowned for their groundbreaking work on The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and The Batman, Wētā FX brought a unique blend of technical precision and artistic ingenuity to the project.

Led by VFX Supervisor Dan Lemmon, the team crafted expansive environments and dynamic visual effects while maintaining the visual spirit of Minecraft. From explosive battles to iconic sequences like the obsidian portal and Steve’s stash room, the seamless integration of digital and practical elements highlights the collaborative power of Wētā’s world-class artists and the film’s New Zealand-based creative team.

“The monumental task of turning Minecraft’s pixelated world into a fully realised live-action universe was achieved through close collaboration with Mojang Studios and New Zealand’s best artists, craftspeople, and technicians,” said Lemmon.

From meticulously designed props to richly textured biomes, the local crew crafted a visual world both faithful to fans and stunning on the big screen. Motion capture, VFX, and post-production were all delivered in New Zealand, showcasing the country’s exceptional talent and technical expertise.

A Minecraft Movie is more than just an adaptation of a beloved game, it’s a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and imagination, and a testament to how New Zealand continues to shape the world’s biggest stories, one block at a time.