The actual film is only half (maybe less? 25%?) of the reason we go to a movie theater. Frankly, we'd never see the red leather interiors of an AMC again if it weren't for the popcorn and comfy reclining seats. Well, okay, it's mostly the popcorn.

And while the buttery snack (with a side of Thin Mints) used to be enough, production companies went and upped the ante with show-stopping promotional buckets that draw more buzz than the actual plot. Case in point: these seven versions from the new Gladiator, Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and more over the past year. There should be a special Oscars category!

Dune 2



If you missed the Dune 2 popcorn buckets when they emerged into the culture, consider yourself lucky. We're still scarred from the (accidentally? We assume???) NSFW design.

As a marketing ploy, the product company created a replica of the film's giant sandworms from the planet of Arrakis. However, they don't *just* look like sandworms. We'll let fans explain:

"I just want to eat my popcorn not stick my hand in a monster fleshlight," one user wrote on X, while another said, "We're gonna see this on onlyfans and I'm not excited about it."

Gladiator II


Are you not entertained... by this popcorn bucket? Gladiator II's popcorn bucket may have been a little less, well, inappropriate but it still caught fans' attention nonetheless. Not only does it look strikingly similar to the colosseum with its gold-tinted design and columns, you can also enter an augmented reality gladiator battle after the film by scanning the QR code on the packaging.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Maybe the public's minds are in the gutter or maybe Hollywood's marketing team is just really into the whole "sex sells" schtick, because Deadpool & Wolverine's promotional popcorn bucket raised brows just like the Dune 2 buckets (if you can call them that).

We'll let you be the judge:

Fans certainly thought so. "Dune popcorn bucket got nothing on this one," one person wrote online. "Ryan will never let us forget the Dune popcorn bucket incident 💀" another said.

Mean Girls

The Mean Girls buckets look like something straight out of the movie—or the burn book—complete with "that's so fetch" and "plastics" callouts printed across the side.

Wicked

Something wicked this way pops. (Sorry.) The Wicked popcorn buckets are simple yet full of personality thanks to the separate Glinda and Elphaba designs. And while some fans were thrilled with the subtle green and pink packaging, others were a little underwhelmed. I guess they're spoiled by the Dune and Gladiator offerings.

"Okay… that’s cute but we need a Glinda bubble and an Elphaba witch hat popcorn bucket," one person wrote on X. Someone else was even more harsh, if succinct: "These look like trash cans."

Godzilla x Kong

According to Cinemark's Instagram post from last spring, the Godzilla x Kong premiere brought several fun popcorn buckets to theaters, including an elaborate 150-ounce tin that features either Godzilla or Kong encased in an elaborate, monstrous containment unit. There’s also a hexagonal tin displaying the main characters Kong, Godzilla, Star King, and Shimo.

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Ghostbusters

The Ghostbusters popcorn buckets were right on theme this year, meaning they were weird and elaborate. The Slimer version includes an open-mouthed ghost creature that looks like it's eating (or throwing up?) your popcorn snack. Do with that information what you will. A second version looks like a perfect replica of the film's ghost trap. I ain't afraid of no ghost, but, this bucket? Terrifying.

Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2's popcorn bucket might earn the award for most functional thanks to its built-in cupholder. The $24 collectible, which was sold at Regal, looks just like the control panel from the movie—only once you lift it up, you have plenty of buttery popcorn inside. Joy, Sadness, and Butter—the perfect emotional trio.

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Despicable Me 4

The Despicable Me 4 Popcorn Bucket is so realistic-looking, you might have to do a double-take (you know, because minions are totally real). You can still snag the limited-edition design from AMC’s shop and it’s on sale for $21 right now.

Nosferatu

Eerie! Nosferatu’s popcorn bucket is a literal coffin. It was so popular, in fact, that it quickly sold out—much to moviegoers chagrin. "Does anyone know when the Nosferatu popcorn buckets will be available?? I desperately need one! I LOVE vampires, I will literally cry if i don't get my hands on one 😂😂😂," one user wrote on Reddit. "They need to stop making super cool ones, i have no space 🤣," another person joked.

Venom: The Last Dance

If you want to be utterly terrified while trying to eat your movie theater snack, good news! The Venom: The Last Dance popcorn bucket will accomplish just that.

Which one deserves to take home the Academy Award?