For reasons we don’t know, the internet has become obsessed with something completely unexpected: popcorn buckets. It all started in February when promotional popcorn containers for Dune Part 2 garnered mixed (and hilarious) reactions from fans for their “provocative” look. Since then, marketing teams have been hard at work trying to outdo the controversial design, amping up the absurdity as the core of much-needed virality.
Mastering the craft of packaging design is a difficult task, but it’s rare that a scandalous approach is the key to success. Unfortunately, I have to hold my tongue, because the recent barrage of weird bucket loads is not only totally memorable, but a genius (if a little silly) marketing strategy.
Think back to early February, when Dune 2 was in full swing, and a harmless popcorn bucket made to resemble a sandworm appeared. Harmless, right? Well, not in the eyes of the internet, of course. We’ll let you make your own conclusions, but suffice to say, it sparked some pretty creative and NSFW comparisons to a certain sexual accessory.
It was scandalous, but somehow it worked: the Dune 2 popcorn bucket became an internet sensation, unintentionally promoting the film as one of the most unconventional success stories I’ve seen in recent years.
AMC’s misleading official listing image for Slimer popcorn buckets. (Image courtesy of AMC)
Ghostbusters: Frozen has arrived with its own popcorn bucket design, and while thankfully the bucket wasn’t as obscene as the “Sandworm,” it did stir up its own controversy as fans who received their orders felt “tricked.” Released by AMC as part of its Frozen collection, the Slimer-inspired bucket initially showed off a translucent design true to the film, but what many fans ended up getting was a clunky, parody-worthy plastic monstrosity.
AMC Slim Popcorn Bucket from r/ghostbusters
But some marketing teams went all in on the provocative design, most notably the folks behind the official designs for Deadpool and Wolverine. In a video shared to X, lead actor Ryan Reynolds captioned the steamy bucket debut, saying, “Years from now, we’ll look back on 2024 as the year the popcorn bucket wars started.”
The hilarious parody features slow-motion footage of a bucket of popcorn (shaped like Wolverine’s head) set to dramatic music, culminating in the buttery glaze dripping onto Wolverine’s face, before the camera slowly pans out to reveal crudely scrawled words on the side of the bucket that read, “Designed by Deadpool.”
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Years from now, they’ll look back on 2024 as the year the Popcorn Bucket Wars began. #history #DeadpoolAndWolverine ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/4agugzGNLpMay 30, 2024
I’m secretly praying that the aforementioned “popcorn bucket wars” are a marketing trend that will continue through this summer’s blockbuster movies. With films like Venom: The Last Dance and Mufasa: The Lion King on the horizon, it’s entirely possible we’ll see some weird and inventive new designs to satisfy our cravings. How about a Nosferatu popcorn bucket?
For more movie news, check out the breathtaking new poster for Romulus, and if you’re into weirder designs, check out these awful X-Men posters you won’t believe got approved.
