A Minecraft Movie and its streak of quotable catchphrases continues with "Flint and Steel."

Despite being heavily satirized online and receiving mixed reviews, the film has drawn enthusiastic crowds, many of whom post clips of themselves throwing popcorn and soda whenever Jack Black drops another in-game reference.

But what is it about him saying, "Flint and Steel," that resonates so much, especially when the movie also includes a literal baby zombie riding a chicken?

Here’s the story behind the "Flint and Steel" line and its connection to another heavily memed element, The Nether.

Where Did the ‘Flint and Steel’ Meme Come From?

The meme originates from the final trailer for A Minecraft Movie, released on February 27th, 2025. In the clip, actor Jack Black voices Steve, the player character from the Minecraft video game. As Steve lights a nether portal (an in-game mechanic to open the otherworldly portal) he clearly states, "Flint and steel!"

This phrase refers to a tool in Minecraft used to start fires or activate portals to The Nether, a dangerous alternate dimension in the game. While the line is true to the gameplay, its straightforward and serious delivery caught viewers off guard.

Back in February, TikTok user @steven_craft2011 was the first to post a remix of the clip, repeating the line with increasing speed as a meme was born.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7476203292218068270

How Did the ‘Flint and Steel’ Meme Spread?

On March 17th, YouTuber EpochGD posted a remix featuring "Flint and steel" alongside other quotes from the movie, turning them into a fast-paced audio and visual edit. That video alone received over a million views in just two weeks.

The phrase became a kind of shorthand for the movie itself, with TikTok and X users quoting it in different languages, inserting it into unrelated clips and creating memes around its dramatic delivery.

One especially popular video ranked "Flint and steel" in 10 different languages, gaining millions of views as the meme continued to evolve leading up to the movie's debut.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/LINK

What Are Some More Flint and Steel Memes?

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For the full history of Flint and Steel, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.