A small family-run theater in Washington Township, New Jersey, has been forced to change its policies after a viral social media trend led to widespread chaos and damage during the opening night of the much-anticipated Minecraft movie. The Township Theatre, a local entertainment staple, announced new restrictions requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult when attending the movie after a disruptive incident that left the facility damaged and other guests distressed.

The trend, known as the "Chicken Jockey," originated on TikTok, where users record themselves causing disruptions in theaters during a specific moment in the Minecraft movie. The scene in question features a character, voiced by Jack Black, exclaiming "chicken jockey" during an intense sequence. As the line is delivered, young attendees reportedly erupt into loud shouting, physical antics, and, in some cases, outright vandalism.

The problem reached a boiling point during the movie’s Friday night debut at Township Theatre. Groups of unsupervised boys, allegedly from nearby Waldwick, were seen trashing seats, spilling drinks, throwing popcorn, and even spreading lotion across theater chairs. The damage wasn’t minor—several rear-row seats were reportedly ripped from the floor. The theater’s owner, Laura Rose, said she first became aware of the trend through her daughter, who came across a TikTok video featuring teens behaving recklessly inside their theater.

“It’s crazy to me that they’ll do damage somewhere and then post it,” Rose remarked. “They made a mess, screamed during the movie, and trashed the place.”

Cleaning up the aftermath took the staff the rest of the weekend. Now, the theater has established a strict rule: no minors will be allowed to view the Minecraft movie without being accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. The announcement was made via the theater’s official Facebook page, urging parents to talk to their children about appropriate public behavior. The post highlighted the importance of preserving a respectful and safe environment for all moviegoers.

“We want to make all parents aware of an unfortunate situation,” the message read. “A large group of unsupervised boys engaged in completely unacceptable behavior. We also received multiple complaints from other families who were trying to enjoy the film.” The post also encouraged parents of any boys who attended that night’s screening to have a serious conversation with their children. “Kids will be kids,” Rose admitted, “but a line was definitely crossed.”

To deter future incidents, the theater has now marked its stage area with caution tape and issued further reminders that the stage is off-limits. Rose hopes that the added restrictions and visible warnings will serve as a deterrent for future disruptions. More importantly, she urges parents to reinforce respect and consideration when children are in public spaces.

The "Chicken Jockey" phenomenon is just one in a series of viral trends where social media influence spills into the real world with unintended and sometimes destructive consequences. While these trends may seem humorous or trivial online, the impact on local businesses—especially small, community-centered ones like Township Theatre—can be significant.

The situation at Township Theatre serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when online antics are brought into physical spaces with no oversight. The policy update reflects not only a protective measure for the theater’s facilities but also a broader call for accountability among young audiences and their guardians.

As theaters and other public venues continue to navigate the challenges of viral behaviors and online trends, the need for responsible participation from all attendees becomes increasingly vital. With more family-friendly blockbusters expected throughout the year, venues across the country may take note of Township Theatre’s approach to prevent similar issues.

For now, Township Theatre is doing everything it can to restore order and ensure every visitor enjoys their movie-going experience, Minecraft fans included—but with rules that remind everyone, especially young guests, that entertainment doesn’t come at the cost of respect and responsibility.