Popcorn buckets have long been a traditional component of the movie-going experience, but recent developments indicate they are now becoming a significant revenue stream for theaters. AMC Entertainment, which previously did not sell merchandise, reported generating approximately $65 million in sales from novelty popcorn buckets and related items in the past year. This trend gained momentum following the release of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" concert film, where the sale of themed popcorn buckets exceeded expectations.
Other theater chains, including Cinemark, Regal, and B&B Theatres, are similarly leveraging unique popcorn buckets to enhance the customer experience and boost concession sales. Executives from these companies note that the trend is particularly important in the post-pandemic landscape, where attracting audiences back to theaters has become a priority.
The shift towards specialty popcorn buckets has been gradual. The concept has been popular in theme parks for years, but U.S. movie theaters initially hesitated due to logistical challenges. A turning point occurred with the successful launch of an R2-D2 popcorn bucket in 2019, which demonstrated the potential for high sales in this niche market. More recently, a creatively designed popcorn bucket from the film "Dune: Part Two" gained viral attention, leading to significant resale activity.
As Hollywood prepares for an influx of blockbuster releases in 2025 and beyond, theaters are increasingly collaborating with merchandising companies to create themed popcorn buckets. AMC plans to increase production quantities, anticipating sustained demand for these items. With numerous high-profile films on the horizon, the competition among theaters to offer unique popcorn collectibles is expected to intensify.