'The Children Yearn For The Mines' Meme Mentioned In New 'Minecraft' Movie Trailer, Sparking New Interest

The official trailer for the new Minecraft movie – appropriately titled A Minecraft Movie – dropped yesterday. For some reason, the writer's room snuck in a reference to the ironic, pro-child labor meme called "The Children Yearn for the Mines."

The reference comes within the first few seconds. Jack Black as Minecraft Steve includes the catchphrase in his narration, exactly saying, "As a child, I yearned for the mines."

Get ready to craft your world. #MinecraftMovie – only in theaters 2025. pic.twitter.com/y1CeVagJJ6

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) November 19, 2024

The meme in question dates back to a viral tweet posted in 2022. It was shared by X / Twitter user @Froggenthusias1 and – in tune with its 2024 resurgence – is a joke about Minecraft, reading, "Minecraft proves that abolishing child labour was a mistake. The children yearn for the mines."

The idea that, as a society, we should bring back intense, 19th-century-style child labor laws just because the children "yearn" for it is akin to other ironic memes that are pro-drunk driving or praise Big Tobacco. All three examples read from the same playbook: Overly support an idea that's obviously bad to illustrate how bad it is.

It's just surprising that the Minecraft movie's Hollywood writers ripped a joke from social media. They seemingly searched, "Minecraft meme" in the Know Your Meme search bar and chose the encyclopedia entry with the most nuance.

Alternatively, they had no clue.

Regardless, the reference has resonated with internet obsessives who felt like Leonardo DiCaprio when the easter egg was revealed.

As far as the chronically online are concerned, the upcoming Minecraft movie needs to shake some prior cringiness that emitted from its first trailer. Fans were not impressed by the dialogue and CGI, possibly forgetting that it is a kids movie.

Minecraft holds a special place in the hearts of Millennials, Zoomers and Gen Alpha alike. So, of course, adults are going to be protective of its first "big screen" adaption too.

No one wants a repeat of Ugly Sonic. That's why people were getting flashbacks when they saw the baaing, square sheep.

The Minecraft movie's The Children Yearn For The Mines reference could just be one of many hidden meme jokes sprinkled throughout the film. Maybe this hope is what Warner Bros. is banking on — get the masses hooked on the first meme marketing ploy and hopefully, they'll show up to analyze the whole thing in theaters.