'A Minecraft Movie' chicken jockey scene shows loss of movie theater etiquette

If you’ve been on social media at all recently, chances are you are familiar with the chicken jockey scene from“A Minecraft Movie.” For those of you fortunate enough to have avoided this, fans have been screaming and throwing things after Jack Black delivers the line, “chicken jockey.”

When I’m home from school, I work at a movie theater. Because of this, I’m very passionate about movie theater etiquette, something that seems to have been forgotten recently. Look, I’m all for having fun at the movies. It’s part of what makes the group viewing experience so special.

But throwing popcorn and making a mess on purpose? That’s just unnecessary.

In one movie theater, someone brought a real chicken to see the movie. Also, there have been multiple instances where the police have been called on theater attendees – all over one line in “A Minecraft Movie.”

Because of the trend, different theaters have had to stop the film and even ban patrons from the premises.

This trend has become so huge that Regal, a theater chain, has even started offering chicken jockey screenings where this behavior is encouraged.

I was curious to see how this affected the theater I work at. Since I’m not actively there because of school, I texted a co-worker to see how it's been. They responded, telling me they had to clean a theater showing the film with six people in it, and it was absolutely trashed. Six people managed to trash the entire theater, and chances are it was because of this chicken jockey trend.

Yes, cleaning theaters is our job, and most of the time, we don’t mind it. But when people purposefully trash the place, it’s completely disrespectful.

Plus, movie theater concessions are expensive. Really expensive. I can’t imagine spending $10 on popcorn, only to throw it over a movie line. On top of that, not only is it disrespectful to the employees who have to pick up the mess, but it’s also beyond inconsiderate to the people who paid to actually sit and enjoy the film. Movie tickets aren’t exactly cheap, either, and patrons should be able to enjoy their films without having things thrown at them or having their viewing interrupted by screaming and shouting.

Everyone should be able to have fun at the movies, and if something exciting happens, go ahead and cheer! Audience reactions are one of the best, most magical parts of going to the movies. If you spill some popcorn, that’s OK, too. We all do it.

But next time you’re at the movies, think about the other patrons in the theater, the money you spent on the ticket and concessions and the employees who have to clean up after you. Movie theater etiquette is so important.

The movies are a magical place — let’s keep it that way.