©(Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you could go inside a video game world, what kind of world would you like to explore?
- What kind of characters do you like in movies—heroes, funny ones, or someone else?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- splash /splash/
- premiere /pri-MEER/
- analyst /AN-l-ist/
- appealing /uh-PEE-ling/
- profitable /PROF-i-tuh-buhl/
[noun] – a noticeable or impressive entrance or success
The new smartphone made a big splash at the tech expo, drawing huge crowds.
[verb] – to be shown or performed publicly for the first time
The documentary premiered at the international film festival last weekend.
[noun] – someone whose job is to examine information and provide insights or predictions
Financial analysts expect the company’s stock to rise after the merger.
[adjective] – attractive or interesting
The colorful packaging made the product more appealing to kids.
[adjective] – bringing in more money than it costs; able to make a profit
The new marketing strategy turned out to be highly profitable for the brand.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On its opening weekend in early April 2025, A Minecraft Movie made a huge splash at the global box office. Based on the world’s best-selling video game, the film premiered in the U.S. and Canada, earning about $157 million. It also brought in $144 million overseas, totaling an impressive $301 million worldwide. Directed by Jared Hess and co-produced by Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros., the PG-rated movie broke records, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever—beating The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It showed in 4,263 theaters in North America and 36,000 screens worldwide. While analysts predicted an $80 million opening, the film almost doubled that, helping narrow the year’s box office gap from 13% to just 5%.
Several factors led to the film’s success. Spring break holidays brought out younger audiences, with 64% of viewers under age 25. The movie’s simple, family-friendly story—about characters on a funny journey to return home after being pulled into the Minecraft world—made it appealing to a wide range of viewers. Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted that game-based films are becoming more reliable as box office hits. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the movie earned a solid B+ CinemaScore and a 4 out of 5 on PostTrak, proving that game-inspired movies can be both popular and profitable.
Several factors led to the film’s success. Spring break holidays brought out younger audiences, with 64% of viewers under age 25. The movie’s simple, family-friendly story—about characters on a funny journey to return home after being pulled into the Minecraft world—made it appealing to a wide range of viewers. Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted that game-based films are becoming more reliable as box office hits. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the movie earned a solid B+ CinemaScore and a 4 out of 5 on PostTrak, proving that game-inspired movies can be both popular and profitable.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the story of the movie about?
- Who directed A Minecraft Movie?
- What was the total amount the movie earned around the world?
- How many theaters showed the movie in North America?
- Why did many young people go to the theater to see the movie?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a movie based on a video game? If yes, what was the name of the movie? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not? If not, would you like to watch one? What kind of story would you like it to have?
- Have you ever gone to the movie theater during a school holiday? If yes, what movie did you watch? Who did you go with? If not, do you think watching movies during holidays is fun? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that movies based on games can be fun to watch?
- Why do you think so many people watched A Minecraft Movie in the first weekend? What helped it become popular?
- What are some good or bad things about turning video games into movies?