Social media trend has teenagers trashing theaters during ‘A Minecraft Movie’

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A viral trend on Instagram and TikTok has teenagers throwing food during the blockbuster “A Minecraft Movie.”

“This is just in no way OK,” said Brandt Gully, owner of The Springs Cinema & Taphouse in Sandy Springs.

The trend started with kids, mostly teenage boys, throwing popcorn in the air during a part of the film when actor Jack Black says, “Chicken jockey!”

Since the film’s release, it’s become more complicated.

“It has just evolved into being an absolute mess,” Gully said. “It started with popcorn and then it evolved into throwing Icees, pouring bottles of water on people.”

Gully says some teens have even thrown glass bottles and salsa. Other than innocent bystanders covered in food and liquids, it’s employees who have to clean up the carnage after a showing.

“This has obviously gone beyond what is expected of employees,” Gully said.

It’s definitely not what do-everything employee Ford Kitchin signed up for.

“It’s a bit dreadful, if I’m being honest,” Kitchin said. “We’re kind of on a strict time schedule.”

There is usually a 20- to 30-minute break between showings. The Springs has had to delay showings, provide refunds, and even call the police due to the mayhem caused by teens.

“If you’re not a 12, 14-year-old boy, you don’t find throwing food all over each other to be particularly funny,” Gully said.

Employees are now posted in “A Minecraft Movie” showings for quicker response to any damage, and warnings are given before shows.

“Yeah, we get paid to clean theaters, not clean messes and babysit people while they’re inside watching a movie,” Kitchin said.

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