Quirky, sometimes edgy popcorn buckets are now part of the moviegoing experience
A Minion-themed baby carrier.
A Minion-themed baby carrier. A sandworm bucket that looks a little too NSFW. A “Burn Book” tin that many online joked would be a perfect storage box for illicit goods.
Collectible, movie-themed popcorn buckets are having a moment, embracing strange designs that have drawn attention online and creating something of a competition to come out with ever more creative or absurd containers.
The buckets come as theaters continue to try new ways to convince people to leave the comfort of their homes, embracing everything from alternative content such as concert films to exclusive merchandise.
The most high-profile example of that merchandise push, wacky popcorn tins are a unique type of tchotchke that also means more revenue — most buckets cost around $20 or $25, with more expensive versions costing up to $50 or even $65.
Some have risen in value on the secondary market. The infamous “Dune 2” sandworm popcorn lid, which now goes for upward of $800 on eBay, became major meme fodder a few months ago as many online joked that the lid, meant to portray the mouth of a sandworm, looked suspiciously like an adult toy.
Rating: 5