NZSO features on box office smash A Minecraft Movie

One of the many exciting and innovative aspects of the National Music Centre will be the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s state-of-the-art recording studio in the basement of Wellington Town Hall.

The new recording studio will make it even more attractive to hire the NZSO for movie soundtracks and more. As the NZSO counts down to Wellington Town Hall reopening, it continues to in demand by Hollywood.

Since its release in April, blockbuster A Minecraft Movie has topped the box office around the world. At more than US$955m in ticket sales, it’s the third highest-earning film of 2025.

Best of all, audiences around the world got to enjoy the soundtrack as performed by the NZSO.

With the national orchestra led by renowned soundtrack conductor and orchestrator Tim Davies (Dune: Part Two, Minions, Frozen II) the recording sessions were held over seven days at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington in late November and December 2024.

In attendance was the film’s composer, the legendary Mark Mothersbaugh (the LEGO®movies, Thor: Ragnarok).

Mark, also a member of chart-topping new wave band Devo, had this to say about working with the NZSO for the first time:

“We weren’t sure what to expect flying into Wellington, but the orchestra was outstanding! Great team to work with, and a great working environment. The score was just complicated enough to have some concerns, but the NZSO addressed any issues that arose and handled it quickly and professionally. The end result is that we have an amazing sounding score for Minecraft! I would work with the NZSO again on anything and look forward to the next opportunity.”

Another soundtrack legend Karyn Rachtman (Pulp Fiction, Boogie Nights, Clueless) was co- music supervisor for the film, which also features Kiwi music stars Bret McKenzie and BENEE, and chamber choir The Tudor Consort, who have all performed previously with the NZSO.