What is the Minecraft 'Chicken Jockey' meme? Everything you need to know about the bizarre viral sensation

Cinemas have been erupting into applause, cheers, flying popcorn - and even a live chicken has made an appearance.

No, it's not a riot - it's the "Chicken Jockey" trend taking over screenings of A Minecraft Movie.

But why are kids, teenagers and even young adults so excited by the movie?

Here's what you need to know.

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What is the movie about?

Based on the titular and widely popular video game, the movie is largely set in the Overworld, where Steve (played by Jack Black), discovers he can build anything he can imagine.

He is accidentally joined by a group of characters - Garette (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks).

The plot follows the cast attempting to rescue Steve and themselves from the Minecraft world and must defeat the evil "Piglins".

The movie was released on April 3 and shattered box office expectations on its opening weekend.

It has already grossed more than $550 million worldwide and has become the second highest earning video game adaptation of all time.

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Viral before release

A combination of its cast, moments from the trailer and the sheer absurdity of the film triggered a viral outburst before it had even released.

Diehard fans have been waiting for a Minecraft movie since it was first conceived more than 10 years ago.

The trailer became viral from Jack Black's comedic talent and dialogue lines referencing iconic items and monsters from the game.

Social media users sped up certain lines from the trailer and began ranking them from best to worst.

"Chicken Jockey" swiftly became a fan-favourite moment.

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What is a 'Chicken Jockey' and why is it causing cinema chaos?

A chicken jockey is a monster from the game that features a baby zombie riding a chicken.

The monster naturally appears within the game and is rarely seen.

In the film itself, the chicken jockey appears in a key scene with Jason Momoa. But it's Jack Black's line "Chicken Jockey!" - when a zombie drops on top of the chicken - that sets off the crowd.

Movie-goers are reportedly yelling the line in unison and soon after erupting into applause and cheers.

This excitement has become a viral trend on social media, filled with videos of the reactions to the scene and other lines.

The unexpected phenomenon is drawing comparisons to other major blockbuster moments, but with an even more chaotic reaction.

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Jack Black appears

The trend has become so viral that Jack Black made an appearance at a cinema.

He urged viewers "please, no throwing popcorn," and "absolutely no chicken jockeys" as he walked past the aisles of the packed theatre.

What's next?

The film is expected to continue its earnings, with a sequel reportedly in the works.

Cinemas have urged movie-goers to act sensibly at their venues.

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