National Popcorn Day, celebrated annually in January, presents a unique opportunity for U.S. consumers to access a variety of free popcorn offers, discounted products, and promotional deals from movie theaters, popcorn retailers, and brand promotions. The following article synthesizes information from multiple sources to provide a detailed overview of the types of offers available, eligibility requirements, and specific redemption processes. The information is based exclusively on the provided source materials, which include reports from news outlets and deal-focused publications. Offers and details may vary by year, location, and participating company; consumers are advised to verify current promotions directly with the brands.
The deals primarily fall into two categories: movie theater promotions and retail popcorn brand discounts. Theater chains often provide free or heavily discounted popcorn to loyalty program members or customers who purchase tickets on National Popcorn Day. Retail promotions include percentage discounts on popcorn products and, in some cases, free product giveaways. A significant portion of the deals requires membership in a theater's loyalty program or a purchase of a movie ticket. Some offers are location-specific, limited to certain states or theater chains.
Movie Theater Chain Deals
Several national and regional movie theater chains offer promotions specifically for National Popcorn Day. These deals often require a specific action, such as joining a loyalty program, purchasing a ticket, or appearing in costume.
Regal Cinemas Regal offers a free small popcorn for Regal Crown Club members in honor of National Popcorn Day. The Regal Crown Club is a free loyalty program that allows members to earn credits at the box office and concession stand. Once members accumulate enough points, they can redeem them for rewards such as free popcorn, soft drinks, movie tickets, and merchandise. Additionally, Regal Crown Club members who purchase tickets for showtimes on National Popcorn Day are entered for a chance to win a year’s worth of premium collectible containers—12 total containers featuring films such as “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” and “Superman.” Another source specifies that Regal asks customers to arrive dressed in costume and inform a concession stand employee of their character to claim one free large popcorn.
Cinemark Theatres Cinemark hosts a “BYOBucket” event where customers pay $5 to fill up any clean popcorn container. The container cannot measure more than 400 ounces (50 cups), which is equivalent to two XL popcorns. All XL popcorns also sell for $5 on National Popcorn Day. In a special partnership, customers who bring a 5-gallon Lowe's bucket as their container can fill the entire bucket, which holds roughly 650 ounces. Cinemark also runs a social media sweepstakes: customers who follow Cinemark on Instagram and tag three friends under the chain’s National Popcorn Day sweepstakes post are entered for a chance to win a free large popcorn. Additionally, all online gift card purchases are 10% off on National Popcorn Day.
Marcus Theatres Marcus Theatres, a chain operating 79 locations, offers free popcorn for Marcus Magical Movie Reward members. To take advantage, moviegoers must become members before the event day. Members can choose from several options: a free junior popcorn (44 ounce), free Ultimate Popcorn Tub refills, or 50% off the 2025 Ultimate Popcorn Tub with free refills. Another source states that any ticket holder on January 19 can grab a free large popcorn to go with their viewing experience. Marcus Theatres also hosts popcorn-themed games and activities.
AMC Theatres AMC may offer unlimited refills on any size popcorn on National Popcorn Day. This is listed as a predicted deal, and consumers are advised to check the AMC Instagram page to see if the deal returns.
B&B Theatres B&B Theatres, with over 50 locations in states such as Georgia, Kansas, and North Carolina, gives its Backstage Pass Loyalty Program members a free small popcorn to celebrate National Popcorn Day.
Emagine Theaters Emagine Theaters offers $5 popcorn in any size all day on National Popcorn Day. Additionally, customers receive a pull-tab card with mystery prizes redeemable at a future visit.
Showcase Cinema Showcase Cinema's Starpass reward members may get a free small popcorn with any movie ticket purchase on National Popcorn Day.
Cinergy Cinemas Cinergy Cinemas, with theaters in Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Illinois, gives loyalty members a free medium popcorn. Guests not already signed up for the program can sign up on the event day and still redeem their free popcorn.
D'Place Entertainment D'Place Entertainment, with six locations in California, offers a free regular-sized popcorn to all guests on National Popcorn Day. Customers can upgrade the regular size to a medium for $1 or a large for $2. Guests who already get free popcorn any day of the year can get free upgrades to any size on National Popcorn Day. The company also sells a popcorn card that allows customers to get one free regular-sized popcorn every day until December.
Tristone Cinemas Tristone Cinemas in California offers loyalty members free small popcorn on National Popcorn Day.
Cinema Lab Cinema Lab, with locations in South Orange, New Jersey; Cañon City, Colorado; and New Canaan, Connecticut, offers $1 popcorn all day on National Popcorn Day, regardless of size.
Reading Cinemas / Consolidated Theatres Reading Cinemas, including Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market, and Reading Cinemas locations in California (Cal Oaks Plaza, Grossmont, Town Square, Valley Plaza) and New Jersey (Manville), will honor the deal. The deal is also available at Consolidated Theatres locations in Hawaii. The theater will give customers 50% off its family-sized “clown bags” of popcorn.
Cinelounge Cinelounge, with locations in Hollywood and Tiburon, donates sales from all small popcorn to the Pasadena Humane Society to support those impacted by the California wildfires.
Retail Popcorn Brand Deals
Retail popcorn brands also participate in National Popcorn Day with discounts and giveaways.
Jolly Time Popcorn Jolly Time Popcorn offers 40% off on National Popcorn Day only. Customers must order through the Jolly Time website and enter the promo code POPPIN.
The Popcorn Factory The Popcorn Factory is predicted to offer 30% off sitewide for one day only to celebrate National Popcorn Day. They will likely provide a coupon code for the discount.
Doc Popcorn Participating Doc Popcorn locations sometimes set up a designated 2-hour period on National Popcorn Day to give away a free 12-ounce cup of Better Butter Doc Popcorn to customers visiting in-store.
Non-U.S. Offers
While the focus is on U.S. consumers, one source mentions a Canadian offer. Cineplex, a Canadian movie theater chain, gives members of its Scene+ rewards program a free small bag of popcorn from Friday to Sunday on National Popcorn Day. The deal is valid for members who visit theaters. Additionally, customers can get a free small bag of popcorn with all food delivery orders through DoorDash, Skip, and Uber Eats; the popcorn is automatically added to the order.
Key Considerations for Consumers
Eligibility Requirements Many offers are contingent on specific eligibility criteria. Loyalty program membership is a common requirement for free popcorn at theater chains like Regal, Marcus, Cinergy, Tristone, and Showcase. Some programs are free to join, but the sign-up may need to be completed before the event day. Other offers require the purchase of a movie ticket, as seen with Marcus Theatres and Showcase Cinema. A unique requirement is Regal's costume requirement for a free large popcorn. Retail discounts like Jolly Time's require an online purchase and a promo code.
Geographic Limitations Offers are often limited to specific chains and their locations. For example, B&B Theatres is available in states like Georgia, Kansas, and North Carolina; D'Place Entertainment is in California; and Cinema Lab has specific locations in New Jersey, Colorado, and Connecticut. Cinemark's BYOBucket event is nationwide, but the Lowe's bucket exception is a special partnership. Consumers should check if their local theater or store is participating.
Timing Most deals are valid only on National Popcorn Day itself (January 19, 2026, according to one source). Some, like Cineplex's offer, extend from Friday to Sunday. Cinemark's BYOBucket event is valid on January 18 and 19. It is crucial to confirm the exact date of the celebration each year, as it may vary.
Verification The sources include both confirmed and predicted deals. For example, AMC's unlimited refills are listed as a predicted deal, and consumers are advised to check AMC's social media for confirmation. The Popcorn Factory and Doc Popcorn offers are also predicted. For accuracy, consumers should rely on official brand websites or verified social media announcements.
Conclusion
National Popcorn Day offers a diverse array of freebies and discounts for U.S. consumers, primarily centered around movie theater promotions and retail popcorn brand deals. The most common offers include free popcorn for loyalty program members, discounted popcorn with ticket purchases, and percentage-off discounts on online popcorn orders. Eligibility often depends on membership in a theater's loyalty program, a ticket purchase, or a specific action like wearing a costume. Geographic availability varies by chain and location, and consumers should verify all details directly with the participating companies, especially for predicted deals. By understanding the eligibility rules and redemption processes, consumers can effectively take advantage of these annual promotions.