Popcorn never tastes better than when you’re eating a whole lot of it in a dark auditorium with a big movie screen in front of you. And while there are times when it makes sense to get a medium (though never a small), getting the biggest bucket you can is always the most satisfying option. Or at least that’s usually the case. This year, on National Popcorn Day, Cinemark is letting you go even bigger. And they’re letting you do it however you like. The theater chain is celebrating by letting you bring your own oversized DIY popcorn bucket so you can fill it up for just $5. Yes, just five dollars.
Is a “Bring Your Own Bucket” promotion a genius popcorn scheme, or just plain madness? We don’t know, but here are the details.
Cinemark has announced (in news we first heard at FoodBeast) that its theaters will be cooking up an amazing promo on January 19, National Popcorn Day. On that beloved, very famous holiday customers can BYOBucket with “literally anything” that can hold that iconic movie snack. Cinemark will then fill it “to the brim with buttery popcorn.” Those potential buckets include any kind of “container, tote, or bag” you like. It just needs to be clean and sanitized. If it’s not safe to use, Cinemark will refuse to fill it. It’s been a wild time for popcorn buckets, so inspiration shouldn’t be very hard to find. We expect to see a lot of popcorn creativity from all of you out there. (Especially those who have scoffed at what brands have on offer in the last year.)
Don’t go buy a Christmas tree bag, though. There is a size limit on your DIY popcorn bucket. It can’t exceed 400 ounces, which is still a whole lot of popcorn. That’s the equivalent of two extra large popcorns Cinemark normally sells. Yet, this tasty promo will only run you five bucks. You can only participate once per theater and there are no refills, but how much more could you possibly eat anyway?
Sorry, that sounded rhetorical. We actually want you to find out and tell us.
Even if you don’t like movie popcorn (yes, we’re judging you), you can also celebrate National Popcorn Day by nabbing Cinemark gift cards online for 10% off. And the company will also be giving away free large popcorns on Instagram and X(nee Twitter).
Until January 19, start looking for your bucket of choice. Our only suggestion is that the bigger your bucket, the longer the movie you should see. You’ll enjoy those 400 ounces of popcorn the most while in the theater.