Images depicting a variety of 2024's cinematic-inspired popcorn containers.
In 2024, movie-themed popcorn buckets were back in style, with unique containers for films like Moana 2, Gladiator II, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
As the year drew to a close, there were even more exciting offerings on the horizon. Starting Friday, Cinemark Theaters would be releasing a Sonic-themed popcorn bucket for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Regal Cinemas would be offering a Pride Rock popcorn container for Mufasa: The Lion King.
One of the most talked-about movie-themed popcorn buckets of the year was AMC Theaters' "popcorn vessel" for Dune: Part Two. The popcorn bucket featured a replica of the film's sandworm atop it and received a lot of attention due to a viral skit on Saturday Night Live that poked fun at its suggestive design.
However, Dune: Part Two's popcorn wasn't the only movie-themed concession stand novelty to feature a sandworm. Thanks to the return of the sandworm in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, both Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres brought the iconic black-and-white striped creature to the concession stand in the form of a popcorn bucket.
Below are photos of various movie-themed popcorn buckets that appeared at Regal, AMC, and Cinemark theaters in 2024. While some theaters had exclusive movie-themed popcorn buckets, most were available at different theaters, including smaller chains like Emagine Entertainment's theaters.
AMC's Offerings Included 'Dune: Part Two' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Popcorn Buckets
In addition to its popcorn vessel for Dune: Part Two, AMC Theaters also sold a Batman Batsignal celebrating the character's 80th anniversary, as well as popcorn containers for Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool, and Minion-themed Despicable Me 4.
'Venom: The Last Dance' Brought Symbiote Buckets to Concession Stands
Regal Cinemas and AMC Theaters each had popcorn containers for Venom: The Last Dance. Regal's Venom popcorn container featured the neck and head of the symbiote, while AMC went with a more traditional popcorn bucket shape for the Marvel movie character.
'Gladiator II' Brought Strength and Honor to Movie-Themed Popcorn Buckets
AMC Theaters and Cinemark Theaters were inspired by the Roman Colosseum and a gladiator helmet for their Gladiator II popcorn containers. AMC went with an arena-style popcorn tin, while Cinemark had a bucket with a gladiator helmet topper.
In addition, Cinemark sold a Roman Colosseum AR-ena popcorn container that implemented augmented reality (AR) technology.
'Moana 2' Made Waves with a 3D Popcorn Bucket
Cinemark Theaters went with a 3D popcorn bucket for Moana 2, featuring figures of Moana, Pua, and Hei Hei, as well as Maui’s Manaiakalani. The bucket itself was a "live" ocean wave.
In addition, the chain sold a more traditional bucket featuring the ocean wave and an oversized replica of Moana's necklace.
Cinemark also sold a Sonic the Hedgehog 3 popcorn bucket and Wicked popcorn tins.
Regal Cinemas Offered a Wide Array of Movie-Themed Popcorn Buckets
Regal Cinemas sold popcorn containers for Alien: Romulus, Transformers One, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (also sold by AMC Theaters), and The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, as well as Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Regal Cinemas also sold popcorn containers for Deadpool & Wolverine, Despicable Me 4, Red One, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
There are sure to be more creative movie-themed popcorn buckets coming to theaters in 2025, so get ready to dig into the fun again in 2025.
The viral skit on Saturday Night Live highlighted the suggestive design of the sandworm-topped popcorn bucket for Dune: Part Two, which was available at AMC Theaters.
In line with the popular children's movie, both Regal Cinemas and AMC Theaters released popcorn buckets featuring the iconic black-and-white striped creature from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
As part of its offerings, Cinemark Theaters introduced a 3D popcorn bucket for Moana 2, complete with figures of Moana, Pua, Hei Hei, and Maui's Manaiakalani.
