Some Minecraft players build entire cities like it’s no big deal. Other Minecrafters (i.e. yours truly) can barely build a half decent dirt hut. But regardless of skill, we’re all creative in our own unique way! For example, inside that dirt hut could be a stunning amethyst statue. There isn’t one inside mine, but there could be! 

To celebrate the immense creative potential of the Minecraft community, we’re launching the Minecraft Movie Build Challenge,* inspired by the newly named upcoming sequel, A Minecraft Movie Squared! But there’s a catch: Instead of the entire Overworld (or Nether, for the risk-loving builders out there), you only get a limited space to work with. Everyone has the same canvas and the same blocks to build with – it’s all about how you use them to their full creative potential! 

The winner of the challenge will get to attend a private screening of A Minecraft Movie Squared with their friends, and their build might even get included in the movie or end credits! 

How to create your build 

Before you get started, please note that you must be at least 16 years old to enter. If you’re under the legal adult age where you live, please make sure you have permission from a parent or legal guardian.  

To start working on your build, make sure you download the build challenge map from Minecraft Marketplace** and follow the instructions closely. You’ll have a 16x16x32 block space to work within, alongside a series of pre-selected blocks and mobs at your disposal. For the challenge, you need to create a structure or house that would feel at home in one of four biomes: plains, taiga, badlands, or frozen ocean. Feel free to try them all and play around with each biome’s block set – but you can only enter one build in the competition. 

The Build Challenge map will also be available for Minecraft Education – but please note that you can’t submit your entry using it. The Education map is only meant for players and young learners to practice or attempt the challenge task for fun! 

Unlock a cape 

Whether you enter the build challenge contest or not, there’s something for everyone: the Builder Cape! 

To earn your cape to use in-game in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (sold separately), watch Minecraft creators live between May 30 (12:00 A.M. PT) and June 14 (11:59 P.M. PT): 

• On TikTok, watch Minecraft content on any Game Reward enabled stream for at least 3 consecutive minutes while the livestream is live. 
• On Twitch, watch any Twitch Partner or Affiliate streaming in the Minecraft category for at least 5 consecutive minutes while the livestream is live. 

Once you’ve watched long enough, you’ll receive a redemption code on the platform where you watched. Then, head to the cape redemption page at minecraft.net/redeem and enter your code to claim your cape!  Make sure to redeem your code by June 30 at 11:59 P.M. PT. 

Detailed build rules 

There are no rules when it comes to playing Minecraft, but for this build contest you need to meet certain criteria to make your entry eligible. We’re doing this to maximize the chances of being able to feature the winning build in the movie! 

Make sure you only build within the designated 16x16x32 area. Do not build underground beneath the designated area. You can use as many blocks as you want within the parameters. 

If your build wins, and it is included in the movie, it will be seen from the outside, and mostly from one direction as the camera passes by. 

Allowed blocks and items 

• General block list: stone, sand, gravel, water, lava, cobblestone, wool, glass, torches, crafting table, furnace, stone bricks, copper (waxed, exposed, weathered, oxidized), iron, lapis lazuli, chains (iron & copper); any color variations allowed where applicable 
• Frozen ocean: ice, packed ice, blue ice, snow blocks, snow layers, tuff (block, slab, stairs, wall), polished tuff variants, prismarine, sea lanterns 
• Taiga: deepslate (cobbled, tiled, and brick variants: block, stairs, wall, slab), podzol, coarse dirt, fern, large fern, sweet berry bush, brown mushroom, red mushroom, mossy cobblestone (block, slab, stairs, wall), dirt, wood planks, wood (spruce, dark oak, pale oak), door, trapdoor, and fence block types, grass 
• Plains: bee nest, beehive, composter, peony, azalea leaves, flower azalea, short grass, tall grass, bush, wildflowers, dirt path, farmland, dandelion, poppy, cornflower, azure bluet, oxeye daisy, wheat, hay block, wood planks, wood (oak, birch, cherry), dirt, door, trapdoor, and fence block types, grass 
• Badlands: red sandstone (cut & chiseled: block, slab, stairs, wall), mud, packed mud, mud bricks (block, slab, stairs, wall), granite, polished granite (block, slab, stairs, wall), dead bush, lantern (copper variants), cactus, cactus flower, short dry grass, tall dry grass, leaf litter, gold (ore, raw block, and block), red sand, terracotta, colored terracotta, glazed terracotta 

Block & item rules 

• You are allowed to use floating blocks.  
• Do not use Nether or End-exclusive blocks. 
• Do not use Creative mode-only items or blocks (e.g. spawn eggs). 
• Do not use redstone components, complex machines, automation, or logic systems. 
• Keep in mind that your build will not be judged based on any sound components – but you can use note blocks as decorations, for example. 

Mob rules

• Only use Overworld mobs. 
• Do not use hostile mobs; you can use passive and neutral mobs: armadillo, chicken, frog, pig, snow golem, bee, iron golem, llama. 
• Do not use humanoid mobs (villagers, illagers, witches, or the wandering trader). 

Other components 

• No words, copyrighted items, logos, pixel art, or signage (including regular or hanging signs). 
• No maps or map art. 
• No banners or banner art. 
• No signs with lettering. 
• No religious symbols, extremist or hate symbology, sexual or otherwise. 
• No replicas of real-world landmarks. 
• No player characters. 

How to submit your entry 

To be eligible to win, you must submit your entry via gleam.io. The build submission period runs from May 30, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. PT to Jun 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. After this, we’ll go through two internal judging phases, followed by the final voting phase between July 2 and July 5, where the community will have their say on the winner of the build challenge! Keep an eye out for updates on how you can cast your vote. Here’s a breakdown of the winners and prizes for each phase: 

• 15 Semifinalists: 2 Movie Tickets per semifinalist 
• 3 Finalists: Private Screening (1 per finalist) 
• 1 Winner: Build included in the movie or end credits 

All semifinalists will receive 2 movie tickets, and all finalists will receive a private screening in addition to the movie tickets. The winner will receive 2 movie tickets, a private screening, and their build appearing in the movie or end credits. 

For your submission, you will need to record a video of your build and take a front-facing screenshot as well. The video needs to be between 15 and 30 seconds long and feature a 360-degree view of your build. The image needs to capture the front of your build in a clear way. Once captured, upload your video as unlisted to YouTube, then head on to gleam.io. There, you need to provide: the name of your build, a brief description (2-3 sentences), a link to your video, and the image of your build. Once you’ve submitted all this, you’re in the running! Make sure to make it count because you only get one entry. And once you’ve submitted your build, make sure to check your email in case your build gets selected as a semifinalist! 

Detailed submission requirements

1. Capture a short video of your Build that meets the following requirements: 

Lighting & Visibility: 

• Daylight or neutral lighting conditions only. 
• It can have lighting, but it will not be shown at night. 
• No dramatic shadowing or cinematic effects. 
• Your video must include a 360 degree view of your Build. 

Screenshot & Camera Guidance: 

• No player characters visible.  
• Front view should present the build clearly and unobstructed as the primary evaluation angle. 

Other Requirements: 

• Your video must be no shorter than fifteen (15) seconds, and no longer than thirty (30) seconds. 
• Do not include additional audio not found in-game. 
• Neither you nor any other individual may appear in your video. 

2. Capture a still image of the front-facing side of your build that meets the following requirements: 

Lighting & Visibility: 

• Daylight or neutral lighting conditions only. 
• It can have lighting, but it will not be shown at night. 
• No dramatic shadowing or cinematic effects. 
• Build must be clearly visible from a primary front-facing viewpoint. 

Screenshot & Camera Guidance: 

• No player characters visible. 
• Front view should present the Build clearly and unobstructed as the primary evaluation angle. 

Finally, if you want to show off your build and celebrate your creativity with the community, post it online using #MinecraftMovieContest! 

Happy building and good luck! 

 *Open only to persons 16+. Minecraft: Bedrock Edition required (sold separately). Contest ends 7/6/2026. Warner Bros. shall determine the placement of the Build within the Movie (which placement may be in the end credits). Terms apply, see Official Rules at aka.ms/moviebuild. Sponsor: Microsoft Corporation.

** Requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (sold separately), a valid Microsoft account, internet access (ISP fees may apply) , and completion of the applicable watching challenge on Twitch or TikTok as described in this blog article. Limit one (1) cape per person/Microsoft account, which will be applied to your Bedrock and Java (if applicable) account within 30 days after the promotion ends. Capes are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be redeemed for cash. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer except the build challenge contest. Geography limitations, country and balance restrictions, taxes, and Internet connection fees may apply. Microsoft Services Agreement (aka.ms/MSA) applies. Microsoft reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time. Microsoft may, freely and without liability, remove capes redeemed, suspend or ban accounts, and take other disciplinary or corrective action if Microsoft suspects or believes your account is engaged in fraudulent or abusive activity. Microsoft is not responsible for a partner platform’s administration of the cape challenges.