Where Was Minecraft Movie Filmed? NZ Locations Guide

Few block-building fans expected their favorite sandbox game to land in New Zealand, yet that’s exactly where A Minecraft Movie brought its pixelated universe to life. Released globally on 4 April 2025, the film traded Hollywood soundstages for Auckland’s film infrastructure and a string of real-world towns that could pass for the Overworld’s rugged edges. What follows is a ground-level look at every confirmed filming site — from purpose-built studio sets to the small-town streets where Jack Black reportedly appeared in a window.

Primary Filming Country: New Zealand · Key Location: Auckland · Additional Sites: Huntly, Helensville · Studios Used: Auckland Film Studios · Other Venue: Settlers Country Manor

Where did they shoot the Minecraft movie?

New Zealand served as the anchor for A Minecraft Movie, with production spreading across Auckland and neighboring towns. Screen Auckland, the official regional film commission, listed the production among its high-profile projects, noting that Auckland Film Studios provided the primary build space for the film’s elaborate sets (Screen Auckland).

Primary country

Aotearoa New Zealand emerged as the dominant filming country, chosen partly for its ability to mimic Minecraft’s diverse biomes with real landscapes. According to production analysis from Fourth Wall Production, “Auckland’s versatile landscapes offered a variety of settings, from urban environments to lush greenery, aligning with Minecraft’s diverse biomes” (Fourth Wall Production). The production hired 85 percent local crew and employed 84 percent New Zealand cast, per Screen Auckland figures (Screen Auckland).

Key cities and studios

Auckland Film Studios functioned as the production hub, housing practical builds including Midport Village, Woodland Mansion, forests, and multiple biomes. Settlers Country Manor in Waimauku, West Auckland, contributed interior scenes — specifically the Manor Arch Hall for vintage settings and Gamekeepers Restaurant, where Jennifer Coolidge appeared. Waimauku also handled road scenes (Screen Auckland).

Was the Minecraft movie filmed in NZ?

Yes — New Zealand was the primary production base, confirmed by multiple official and industry sources. IMDb, Wikipedia, and Screen Auckland all list New Zealand locations, making this one of the film’s most firmly documented facts.

Confirmation from sources

Screen Auckland’s official case study explicitly names the film, listing filming at “Auckland Film Studios and various locations around the Auckland region and Huntly in the Waikato” (Screen Auckland). Settlers Country Manor independently published confirmation of hosting scenes at its Waimauku estate (Settlers Country Manor).

New Zealand Film Commission role

While Screen Auckland facilitated the production, the New Zealand Film Commission’s broader support helped attract the project. Fourth Wall Production noted that “a significant aspect of the film’s allure stems from its diverse and picturesque filming locations, spanning across New Zealand and Canada” (Fourth Wall Production). The production’s local economic activation — including Otahuhu College as a location — reinforced the commission’s investment thesis.

“With over 85 per cent local crew and 84 per cent New Zealand cast, the production activated the Auckland region, employed local talent, showcased the region’s key facilities and innovation, and invested significantly across sectors.”

Screen Auckland (Official film commission)

What town are they in in the Minecraft movie?

The film’s narrative is set in Idaho, but that didn’t stop the production team from scouting New Zealand towns to stand in for the fictional setting. Huntly and Helensville received the most detailed location documentation.

Plot settings vs real locations

The story opens in a real-world Idaho before characters enter the Minecraft universe. Helensville, situated northwest of Auckland, provided the backdrop for the film’s opening scenes and housed the Game Over World store and petting zoo (Screen Auckland). Fourth Wall Production described Helensville’s transformation: “charming streets and surrounding countryside were transformed into the initial real-world setting before protagonists enter the Minecraft universe” (Fourth Wall Production).

Idaho in story, NZ in production

Huntly, approximately 95 kilometers south of Auckland, handled the film’s mining environments and rugged terrain sequences. The town is known for its rich industrial heritage, which translated well to the game’s underground aesthetic. The movie location database SetJett documented multiple Huntly streets used as filming locations: Commercial Road, Kimihia Street, Rosser Street, Great South Road, and the Huntly Power Station (SetJett). A YouTube location tour also identified a residential Huntly property serving as Steve’s house in the movie — complete with a view of a potato chip factory visible from the property.

In which country was the Minecraft movie filmed?

New Zealand was the confirmed primary country, with Vancouver, Canada serving as a secondary location for additional key scenes. Multiple sources align on this dual-location production approach.

Official production details

Wikipedia and IMDb both list New Zealand as a primary filming location, consistent with Screen Auckland’s documentation. Fourth Wall Production confirmed Vancouver’s role: “Vancouver’s dynamic cityscape and proximity to diverse natural settings provided a multifaceted backdrop for the film” (Fourth Wall Production). The production announcement in 2023 cited both countries as primary filming bases.

Why is Daniel Radcliffe in New Zealand?

While Daniel Radcliffe does not star in A Minecraft Movie — the lead cast includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge — New Zealand has long attracted high-profile actors for film productions. The country offers tax incentives, established studio infrastructure, and scenic diversity within a compact geography.

Cast sightings in Auckland

Jack Black was reportedly spotted during filming in New Zealand, with a YouTube location tour capturing what appeared to be the actor visible in a window at a Huntly residential property used as Steve’s house. Jennifer Coolidge’s scenes were confirmed at Settlers Country Manor’s Gamekeepers Restaurant (Settlers Country Manor).

Confirmed vs Unclear: What We Know and Don’t Know

Most core filming location facts carry high confidence, backed by official sources like Screen Auckland and tier-2 industry outlets. However, some granular details remain soft.

What the Production Team Said

“Auckland played a crucial part in bringing the pixelated, sandbox universe of Minecraft to life. These real-world settings not only provided a tangible backdrop for the Overworld but also played a crucial role in bringing the pixelated landscapes of Minecraft to life.”

Screen Auckland (Official film commission)

“Huntly is known for its rich industrial heritage and expansive landscapes.”

Fourth Wall Production (Production analysis)

Key Facts at a Glance

Six filming locations span urban and rural New Zealand, anchored by Auckland Film Studios for studio work and Huntly for exterior mining sequences.

Production Timeline

Three milestones mark the production arc from announcement to global release.

The production anchored itself in New Zealand’s film ecosystem for nearly two years before delivering the final product to global audiences — a timeline that reflects both the scale of practical construction at Auckland Film Studios and the complexity of coordinating Huntly’s outdoor locations with the Vancouver production unit.

For location-minded viewers, the takeaway is straightforward: every Idaho street scene in the movie likely traces back to a New Zealand address in Huntly or Helensville, while the Minecraft universe’s grandest sets were built at Auckland Film Studios. The production’s local hiring rates suggest New Zealand’s film infrastructure will remain competitive for future blockbusters seeking real-world Overworlds.

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