Fun Facts About Popcorn

There are over 50 fun facts about popcorn, the popular snack loved by children and adults. All the popcorn trivia is interesting, but my favorite fun fact is that the popcorn sold in theaters around the world today was once banned in movie theaters.

If there’s one thing that goes along with seeing a movie, it’s eating popcorn. There is nothing more enjoyable than settling back in a comfortable theater seat and munching on hot popcorn as you watch a good movie. However, that has not always been the case. The delicious, salty, and buttery snack was banned from theater sales because theater owners considered popcorn more of a nuisance than a good source of revenue.

Why Popcorn Was Banned

Movie theaters haven't always been like they are today. In the early 1900s, movies were not shown on a screen from a projector. Actors performed in front of a live audience. Theater owners were not pleased with popcorn crunching that often distracted the performers.

Besides the noise, owners did not want popcorn kernels dropped on their beautiful carpet. It would have been extremely hard to get out once customers walked on them. Therefore, popcorn was banned from theaters.

Why the Popcorn Ban Was Lifted

As you already know, there is no ban on popcorn in movie theaters today. When street vendors learned of the ban, they began selling popcorn outside cinemas to moviegoers who took it into the theater. People were asked to check their snacks with their coats. This method was unsatisfactory to theater customers and owners because the popcorn smell filled the area.

Cinema owners were not satisfied with street vendors making money in front of their establishment. They finally decided that the theater could get the money that the street vendors were making. Therefore, the ban was lifted, and popcorn was allowed back into the theater, where it is the most popular item on today's snack menu.

Theater owners are quick to admit that they make most of their profits from snacks they sell rather than from movie tickets. Popcorn and other snacks are sold at inflated prices because officials know they can get away with the prices. About 90 cents out of every dollar spent on popcorn is profit for the theater. It is illegal for customers to bring their own snacks into movie theaters, but many people do so to save money.

I took snacks into a movie theater one time. I was told to return them to my car.

It is safe to say that when you go to the movies today, you can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy that delicious snack along with your favorite movies. In some modern-day theaters, there is a popcorn bar where you can sprinkle any topping you like on the popcorn you purchase.

Other Fun Facts About Popcorn

Popcorn was first sold for 5 to 10 cents a bag during the Great Depression. It was an affordable treat for the poor. Even though the price was extremely low, the popcorn business thrived while other businesses failed. Popcorn became the main source of income for farmers. At most theaters today, a small container of popcorn costs about $6, a medium container costs $7, and a large container costs $8.

A sugar shortage during World War II prevented manufacturers from making sugary snacks. Americans ate three times more popcorn because that was the only snack available.

Every American eats about 38 quarts of popcorn each year, totaling 17 billion quarts. That's enough to fill the Empire State Building not once but 18 times. About 70 percent of the crunchy snack is eaten at home. That's more than what is eaten at the movies, carnivals, sports events, and at the beach.