In a world of at-home movie streaming, movie theater snacks make the theater worthwhile. Let’s take a look at some of the best snacks the theater has to offer.
Popcorn (Buttered)
Nothing hits like some buttered popcorn. It’s basically synonymous with the movies, and is the quintessential movie theater snack. It’s all in the butter.
According to Extra Crispy, it’s made with artificial butter flavoring and a yellow powder called Flavacol —not the healthiest. But you already knew that, so who cares?
The kernels themselves are also different from your everyday, run-of-the-mill popcorn. Yellow kernels are chosen because they’re larger and puffier than the white ones.
Nachos with Cheese
Want to upgrade from popcorn? Nachos are perfect. They’re not as fancy as nachos you could make at home, but they’ve still got that satisfying crunch.
Obviously, the queso isn’t entirely made of cheese. if you’re curious, it’s made of vegetable oil, food starch, whey, and cheddar cheese, among other things.
We think they’re best for when you’re watching a long movie. Sometimes you need something more substantial than a box of Junior Mints to hold you over.
Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels are perfect. If you get one that’s still warm, with the perfect amount of salt, and a side of mustard, then you’re golden.
Seriously, soft pretzels can heal you. Maybe not literally, but they makes your world a little better with every bite. Can you tell we’re big soft pretzel fans?
They’re usually kept inside a case behind the counter, to keep them warm. Lots of movie theaters also serve pretzel bites, though that depends on the theater.
Hot Dogs
If you’re seeing a three hour long movie (we’re looking at you, Marvel), then you might want some real food to eat. Hot dogs fit the bill.
Still, you never really know what’s in a hot dog. When you buy one from a movie theater, you’re taking that to a whole new level.
They’re usually made from a blend of all kinds of meats, including beef, pork, and chicken, according to Forum Theatre. AMC’s hot dogs, though, are all-beef.
Candy Bars (Snickers, Milky Way, etc.)
Boxes of candy pieces are usually more popular, but you can still get a chocolate bar if you want. Again, it all depends on the theater itself.
When theaters do offer candy bars, they usually sell each bar separately. They’re delicious, though they’re widely outshone by the typical boxed candy. Still, that’s not stopping us!
We wonder why, though. If we had to guess, it’s probably because movie theater snacks are meant for sharing, which you can’t do with one candy bar.
M&Ms (Plain and Peanut)
M&Ms are great on their own, but they’re best when you combine them with popcorn. Seriously, nothing tastes better than some movie theater popcorn combined with peanut M&Ms.
The chocolate shell melts just a little, the salt mixes together with the chocolate…it’s so good. Sure, you could eat them straight, but where’s the fun in that?
The next time you buy m&ms at the movie theater, put them in your popcorn. You can thank us later. We’re sure you’ll love it.
Skittles
Skittles can be sold in a bag or a box at the movie theater. They’re perfect for people who prefer a much chewier snack.
To be honest, they’re usually the kind of candy you buy at Target and put in your purse before going into the theater. We all do it.
Have you ever met anyone who actually buys Skittles at the theater itself? People do sell special movie theater boxes of Skittles, though, if you really want that.
Twizzlers
Twizzlers were invented by the Young and Smylie company, but are now owned by Hershey’s. According to the Hershey’s website, the first edition was created in the 1920s.
They really took off in the late 1960s and 1970s, when Twizzlers as we know it started to take shape. Now, they’re a movie theater staple.
Want a fun fact? Of course you do. Apparently, there’s “an average of 15 twists” on every Twizzler. Who knew? Now we’re craving some Twizzlers…
Sour Patch Kids
Tired of sickly sweet candy? Sour Patch Kids are here to the rescue. Sour food lovers everywhere are grateful that they’re widely available at all movie theaters.
Okay, it’s not like a study was conducted on that, but we see you. Without them, all of the movie theater snacks would be way too similar.
They were were originally called “Mars Men,” according to Snack History. We prefer “sour patch kids,” but we might be biased towards the snacks we grew up with.
Gummy Bears
Gummy bears are the ideal chewy snack. We know we said that about skittles, but let’s face it: gummy bears are the true winners.
Movie theaters usually offer a large bag of Haribo gummy bears. Whenever gummy bears cross your mind, those are probably what you think of.
These are best if shared, though. Gummy bears have a reputation for getting stuck in your teeth. Eating a whole bag by yourself might glue your mouth shut.
Raisinets
Raisinets are very hit or miss, like anything involving raisins is. You’ve either got diehard fans and complete haters — there’s no in between.
We respect Raisinets. They’ve been a movie theater mainstay for a long time, despite all the raisin hate. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they’re covered in chocolate.
Anything can taste good if you completely smother it in chocolate, including raisins. They use different kinds of chocolate shells too, with options in milk, dark, or white.
Junior Mints
Chocolate and peppermint is probably the best flavor combo out there. We know that some people are bound to disagree, but we don’t care. Junior Mints reign supreme.
They’re covered in dark chocolate, too. In a world that caters to milk chocolate lovers, Junior Mints gives us a chocolate candy that actually tastes good.
Not to mention that they’re ideal size for a boxed movie candy. Dark chocolate shell, creamy, minty inside…we love you, Junior Mints. Never change.
Reese’s Pieces
We love a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup as much as the next guy, but Reese’s Pieces are good. Maybe not better than their parent candy, but solid!
They’re another candy tailor-made to go into popcorn, especially if you’re a peanut butter person. There are peanut butter M&Ms, but they’re not at every movie theater.
Besides, Reese’s knows what they’re doing when it comes to combining chocolate and peanut butter. It’s best to just leave it to the professionals.
Cotton Candy
Cotton candy isn’t as ubiquitous a movie theater snack as popcorn. Whether or not you get to eat cotton candy at the movies depends on the theater.
The concessions stand workers don’t spin it on paper cones like they would at a carnival. Instead, to minimize mess, they sell it in a bag.
The big companies, like Regal or AMC, don’t sell it. If that bums you out, order a bag of cotton candy online and stuff it into your purse.
Ice Cream (novelties like sandwiches or bars)
You can’t go to the movie theater and just get whatever ice cream you want (yet, anyway). There are some frozen treats for you to browse, though.
AMC offers Chipwiches, Drumsticks, and ice cream bars. Better eat them quickly — you don’t want ice cream melting into your hand when you’re watching a movie.
According to a press release published by Business Wire, AMC has partnered with Nestle in the past. So, they’re more likely to carry their products than independent theaters.
Slushies/Frozen Drinks
Who doesn’t love a classic Pepsi Icee when going to the movies? It’s the only time we’ll choose Pepsi over coke. Seriously, the only time.
If you’ve never had one, be warned: they come in huge cups. You’ll probably be grateful that they do, but just a fair warning.
Blue raspberry is another great flavor. They’re usually better on their own, instead of with a bunch of different snacks, since there’s a lot to drink.
Soda (Coke, Pepsi, etc.)
What better to wash down your movie theater snacks with than a can of Coke? Or Pepsi? Yes, this is an either/or question — you can’t get both.
You shouldn’t be surprised. Coke and Pepsi’s rivalry has been going on since the Big Bang, and extends to every facet of our lives, including movie theaters.
Regal caused quite the stir in 2020 when they decided to switch from Coke to Pepsi. Pretty much all of their drinks are affiliated with PepsiCo.
Bottled Water
While drinking water with your movie theater snacks is great (good on you, being all healthy), it’s…overpriced. Some movie theater snacks, like popcorn, are worth the money.
Water is not one of those things. Plus, there’s probably a water fountain at the theater, or in the mall that the theater is in.
You should just use that. The workers at the theater won’t kick you out. But yeah, we’re supporters of water. You can’t go wrong with it.
Flavored Water (Vitamin Water, etc.)
This is one of those things that’s affected by the never-ending Coke vs. Pepsi war. Every drink you’ve had is owned by either Coca-Cola or PepsiCo.
Well, okay, it’s probably closer to 90%. Still, you’re not the loyal Coke customer you think you are. Vitamin Water, a Coca-Cola drink, isn’t sold at Regal.
So, what is? Well, if you find yourself at a Regal, you can buy yourself a LIFEWTR (owned by PepsiCo!). We generally vibe with flavored water.
Iced Tea
Iced tea is great if you need a pick me up before a late night movie. Of course, the kind you get depends on the theater.
Pure Leaf iced tea is owned by PepsiCo, and is therefore served at Regal. AMC, meanwhile, offers only Gold Peak. Guess who owns Gold Peak? Coca-Cola.
We love iced tea, but we think we should be able to choose whatever kind we want. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola need to kiss and make up.
Coffee Drinks (Iced or Hot Latte, Cappuccino)
This is for fancy moviegoers only. Also, what stage of caffeine addiction do you have to be at where you’re drinking coffee at the movies?
Whatever stage it is, we’re at it. Oops. We’re surprised that Starbucks hasn’t struck a deal with one of the big movie theater companies yet.
AMC apparently has coffee, but it’s not widely advertised. It’s also more likely to be sold at a dine-in movie theater, like the Alamo Drafthouse.
Milkshakes
AMC offers elaborate milkshakes, which is cool. Do you think the milk is sponsored by Coca-Cola? In 2022, they released a line of Double Decker milkshakes.
They offer yummy flavors like Oreo, birthday cake, and apple pie. Milkshakes are a great alternative for those who aren’t so big on Icees.
They also sell them at the Alamo Drafthouse. As a dine-in theater, it has a much larger and more extensive menu than more traditional ones.
French Fries
AMC sells French fries, though not every movie theater does. There’s actually a Change.org petition dedicated to getting buckets of fries at every cinema.
It’s from 2019 and was addressed to “cinema” and “everyone,” so maybe it’s not that serious. We would’ve signed it, though. Who doesn’t love a bucket of fries?
Aside from AMC, you’re more likely to get this at an Alamo Drafthouse, or other dine-in movie theaters similar to it. Solid snack, though.
Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are the perfect finger food for the movies. Heftier than candy, but not a full meal. Pretty perfect for a movie theater, we think.
Both AMC and Regal offer mozzarella sticks on their snacks menu. However, there are a couple of differences. Regal calls their mozzarella sticks “cheese sticks” for some reason.
Also, AMC’s are a little cheaper, at around seven bucks, whereas Regal’s are almost eight. They both come with a side of marinara sauce, thankfully.
Onion Rings
Onion rings are another great finger food basically primed for the moviegoing experience. They’ve got them at Regal, going for about five bucks.
They’ve got a leg up on AMC in this regard, which serves everything but onion rings. If you love onion rings (and Pepsi), Regal is your happy place.
Small, local theaters may also have onion rings, though it obviously varies. We encourage you to go check out their menus and support your local businesses!
Chicken Tenders
AMC’s dine-in theaters sell chicken tenders. They’ve also got Dr. Praeger’s plant-based tenders, if you’re a vegetarian. In a surprise twist, Dr. Praeger’s isn’t owned by Coca-Cola!
They’ve got lots of different flavors, like sweet barbecue and Buffalo, among others. This goes for both the veggie and chicken tenders. Regal’s not far behind.
Regal serves chicken tenders with a bunch of different sauces. They’ve got honey mustard, ranch, barbecue, and buffalo sauce. You get a few pieces for eight bucks.
Pizza (Slices or Personal Pizzas)
You might not know it unless you’re really into movie theater pizza, but most movie theaters do sell pizza. It’s usually frozen and heated up in the microwave.
The big chains offer pizza, as well as many local dine-ins. Pizza is one of those little known movie theater snacks that you don’t get unless you’re starving.
Still, it works in a pinch. It’s pretty expensive, though. It varies depending on the theater, but the price alone is usually enough to scare people away.
Cheeseburger Sliders
We can’t talk about sliders without bringing up AMC’s. They recently released a whole slew of new sliders for you to try, and we’re loving it.
There’s three different types: bacon cheeseburger, patty melt, and bacon beer cheese. Yum! Sliders are better than full-blown burgers for the movies, too.
They’re great finger food, and will satisfy your craving for a burger. It seems like you each order comes with two sliders. Not bad!
Tacos
Tacos are luxury movie theater snacks. Honestly, can we even refer to them as snacks? At that point, you’re just having a full-blown dinner.
Tacos are one the best Mexican foods (and foods in general). While you might shy away from ordering food at a movie theater, you should try the tacos.
Cinepolis, a Mexican movie theater chain, has started expanding into the US. According to NBC, they’ve got lobster tacos on the menu. Yes, please!
Sushi (at upscale theaters)
You thought the tacos were fancy? Try sushi. Of course, you won’t be able to waltz into any old theater and order sushi with your popcorn.
Movie theater sushi is part of a larger effort to make moviegoing cool again. As you can guess, movie theaters took a huge hit during the pandemic.
To entice customers once more, luxury movie theaters are on the rise. If there’s a high-end movie theater near you, check the menu. Chances are, they’ll have sushi.
Movie Theater Snacks: Which One’s Your Fave?
Now that we’ve covered a bunch of movie theater snacks, both classic and upscale, which ones are your fave? Will you dare to try movie theater sushi?
The movie theater offers a lot more snacks than you probably thought possible. We don’t blame you if you choose to stick with your popcorn, though.
At the end of the day, the movie theater just isn’t the same without the snacks. You’re bound to love at least one of them.
And To Drink: Wine
Sometimes wine and a movie just go together perfectly. So why not have one at the movie? Its the perfect time!
Whether you are a fan of red or white, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy it with a chocolate candy or a bag of salty popcorn for delicious contrast.
Wine also does a good job of improving your overall experience. It “classes” things up, and you can always ask for the “nice” bottle, and really enjoy your night!
Beer
Think about this, a salty bag of popcorn. What would go perfectly with this? For the kids, a soda. For the adults, how about a brew?
Beer is a great way to enjoy your night, and much like wine its a great pairing with a movie, in or out!
Beer is perfect with a hot dog, slice of pizza, basket of nachos, or a salted pretzel. You can’t go wrong, and today many movie theaters do carry beer.
Mixed Cocktails
Now this one may be more of a stretch, but theaters are beginning to offer full bars, which is smart!
Everyone can now get a Moscow Mule or a Mojito and enjoy the theater at the same time! How good does that sound?
Why not match it with a salty bar snack? You got yourself a night out! Enjoy yourself, and pick one of your favorites.