How Did Popcorn Become the Go-To Movie Snack?
Popcorn has been delighting moviegoers for decades, becoming a symbol of the cinematic experience. But its journey from a simple snack to a movie theater staple is full of history, innovation, and clever business decisions.
Popcorn’s Early Days in Movie Theaters
I’ve worked at The Popcorn Lady since April 2024, and I think it’s time we deep dive into the tradition of eating popcorn at the movies. I’ve always wondered about the tradition and a look back into its origin just feels perfect for a company like ours! As long as I’ve known of movies, I’ve known that buttery popcorn is a staple. Sure, candy and cherry slushies have become essentials for moi, but everyone has come to expect the smell of the beloved buttery treat as soon as they enter a theatre. How did that come to be?
Early movie theaters craved a sense of aristocracy and were emulating theatres meant for stage plays in design and atmosphere, so they actually discouraged moviegoers from bringing in messy snacks. During the 1920s, at the end of the silent film era in 1927 and the rise of “Talkies”, more and more of American society recognized movie-watching as an enjoyable pastime. It’s so interesting to think of a time when movies weren’t an essential part of popular culture, especially as a movie-lover myself.
Check out our Movie Night Catering Packages for bringing that classic popcorn experience to your home or event.
Popcorn Takes Over During the Great Depression
Once movie theaters realized they had more and more people visiting, they started to think of ways to take advantage of the growing audiences and increase their revenue. By the 1930s, there were over 90 million moviegoers per week and theaters had cemented their place in the social zeitgeist. As the Great Depression began to spread across the nation, people were looking for any distraction, and their cravings paired perfectly with the growing popularity of inexpensive popcorn. It was cheap for sellers/vendors—$10 could get them a bag of kernels that lasted a whole year! Moviegoers considered popcorn one of the few luxuries that they could afford during an economic downturn. So it was a win-win!
At only 5-10 cents a bag, it’s no surprise that America saw more and more theaters welcoming the sale of popcorn by vendors in their lobby. It became common to see the sellers outside or inside the theater, enticing you with the buttery snack, and even see signs encouraging audiences to check their popcorn along with their coats!
Theaters Take Control of Snack Sales
As The Great Depression drew on, movie theaters had to figure out ways to increase their revenue and decided to sell snacks directly, cutting out the middleman. This transition helped stave off the severe effects of the Great Depression for more than a few movie theaters.
By 1945, you couldn’t think of movies without thinking of popcorn. Over half of all the popcorn consumed in America was consumed at movie theaters (via “Popped Culture” by Andrew Smith)! Fast forward to today, more than 200 million people consumed popcorn products last year and we have companies like The Popcorn Lady to offer you delicious treats with the click of a mouse!
Bring Movie Popcorn to Your Next Event
Whether you’re planning a backyard movie night, a corporate screening, or a school carnival, The Popcorn Lady can help make your event memorable with fresh popcorn, cotton candy, and other carnival treats.
For all you visual learners, here’s a brief video on the history of our namesake:
Why do we eat popcorn at the movies? - Andrew Smith
Contact Us for Your Movie-Themed Event
Ready to bring the magic of the movies and the smell of buttery popcorn to your event? Contact us or call 678-722-3202 to discuss catering, rentals, and custom packages. Let’s create an event that everyone will remember—popcorn included!