Why Minecraft Movie Fans Are Getting Rowdy and Going Viral — Explore Parasocial relationships, community, and emotional contagion among Minecraft fans.
Key points
Watching "A Minecraft Movie" with other fans brings a welcome sense of community and belonging.
Parasocial relationships with fictional characters make seeing them on the big screen exciting.
A theater full of passionate fans amplifies their excitement and joy through emotional contagion.
Considering others who might be impacted can help fans decide how to express that excitement.
In the 1970s, Rocky Horror was a cult hit, inspiring a passionate fanbase. The film’s intentionally campy vibe and songs that invited singing along, in addition to a cast of characters who resonated with every teenager who felt like they didn’t fit in, made those midnight viewings my first experience of a participatory fandom. We didn’t just watch the movie, we became part of it. People dressed up as their favorite characters and danced in the aisles (to the "Time Warp," of course).
Psychology Today / Lynn Zubernis Ph.D.
