Monday, January 19, 2026 is National Popcorn Day, and movie theaters are ideally situated to be proud of the official snack of watching movies!

The event is initiated by industry organizations Cinema United (formerly known as the National Association of Theater Owners - NATO) and The Cinema Foundation to feature promotions by movie theaters and encourage attendance at local movie theaters while enjoying popcorn as only movie theaters can make.

“National Popcorn Day is one of those moments that reminds us why people love going to the movies,” said Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “It’s about sharing a big screen experience, and enjoying the amazing combination of movies and popcorn together that you simply can’t replicate anywhere else.”

Since a vast majority of people attending movies enjoy popcorn as a snack, many movie theaters are offering special popcorn-themed promotions. We're collecting as many as we can find for your popcorn munching pleasure below. Unless otherwise noted, these deals are available only on National Popcorn Day, which is Monday, January 19, 2026.

AMC Theatres

AMC locations are celebrating National Popcorn Day throughout the weekend! From January 16-19, 2026, you can purchase an AMC Popcorn Pass for $29.99 + tax and get your first large popcorn free. That pass will allow you to purchase a large popcorn at 50% off every day in 2026.

This pass is attached to your AMC Stubs loyalty membership, so there's no tub to bring in. For more information, please visit the National Popcorn Day Weekend page on AMC's website.

B & B Theatres

Loyalty program members of B & B Theatres receive a free popcorn on National Popcorn Day. Those with Backstage Pass membership can visit B & B Theatres locations can receive a free regular-sized popcorn with each ticket purchase on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Cinemark

You can bring your own bucket to Cinemark movie theaters on January 18-19 and fill it with regular popcorn (or kettle corn in select locations) for just $5. You can bring any bucket that is 400 ounces or less, and the company is working with a home improvement store chain on a unique promotion you may want to look into!

Bring in a blue 5-gallon bucket from Lowe's and get it filled on Sunday or Monday for just $5. You are limited to one fill per guest, but eating more than five gallons of popcorn has its own risks... A food-grade liner will be provided, but you may want to get a new bucket instead of digging through your garage or basement.

Online gift cards are discounted 10% on January 18-19, and other promotions are being offered to add to the fun.

For more information, including limitations on what will and will not be accepted in this promotion, please see the Cinemark National Popcorn Day page.

Cinema West

Cinema West is recognizing the importance of popcorn to the moviegoing experience by offering two promotions. Cinema West theater locations will be offering $5 collectible popcorn containers with free refills and a $10 combo that includes a large popcorn and large drink (with free refills).

Classic Cinemas

Members of the Classic Cinemas loyalty program, Classic Rewards, will get 3x Rewards points on all popcorn purchases at Classic Cinemas locations on January 19, 2026.

Emagine Theatres

Celebrating National Popcorn Day at Emagine Theatres locations involves discounted popcorn and every guest will have a chance to win prizes.

On Monday, January 19, 2026, you can enjoy any size popcorn for just $5 all day. Every guest will receive an Emagine pull-tab card, which offers a chance to win prizes that is redeemable January 20 - February 28, 2026. Four lucky guests will take home a "Grand Prize" which includes "movies and popcorn on us for a year," which amounts to 24 movie passes and 12 small popcorn passes.

It appears you must be a member of Emagine's rewards program and the popcorn offer does not include popped and packed popcorn. For more information, visit the Emagine Entertainment Facebook page.

Epic Theatres

Bring any movie-themed popcorn bucket to EPIC Theatres locations on January 19, 2026, and they'll fill it up with fresh popcorn for $5. Additionally, they are offering a chance to win free popcorn for a year by posting to social media.

For details, please see the National Popcorn Day page on the Epic Theatres website.

EVO Entertainment

Purchase a movie ticket at EVO Entertainment locations and enjoy a free regular-sized popcorn.

According to the message posted on the company's social media, this is available on January 19, 2026 only, is limited to one free regular size popcorn per guest with purchase of movie ticket, and the offer cannot be redeemed for cash value.

Fridley Theatres

Fridley Theatres locations are offering a $2 discount on large popcorns, the #1 combo, and 300-ounce to-go bags.

Golden Ticket Cinemas

Celebrate the ultimate movie snack at Golden Ticket Cinemas locations with discounted popcorn! Gold Star Rewards members enjoy 50% off large and regular popcorns, plus $1 refills on 2026 Annual Buckets.

GQT Movies

Visit GQT Movies locations for three different ways to save on popcorn. If you have one of the company's Golden Buckets or a promo bucket, you can refill it for just $1. If you don't have one of the buckets, you can get a value popcorn for $1.

GTC Movies (Georgia Theatre Company)

GTC Reel Rewards members get a free medium popcorn with any ticket purchase at GTC Movies locations. We couldn't find this promotion listed at all their locations, so it might be limited to select locations. Or some of the theaters are just being shy about their National Popcorn Day ambitions...

Harkins Theatres

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Harkins Theatres locations with 50% off any size popcorn!

According to a message posted to the company's Facebook page, Harkins Awards members get a free small popcorn in February when they take advantage of the National Popcorn Day promotion on January 19. See the Facebook message for additional information.

Malco Theatres

Malco Theatres is celebrating the most popular snack for going to the movies by offering all-you-can-eat popcorn for one low price! According to a message posted recently on the company's Facebook page, participating Malco Theatres locations will be offering all-you-can-eat popcorn for $4.99 plus tax.

The message does not specify which of the Malco Theatres locations are participating. It does say that the deal applies to 80 ounce popcorn only, and that it excludes combos.

Marcus Theatres / Movie Tavern

You can enjoy a free large popcorn when you see a movie at any Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern location. There will be themed activities and games, and every ticketholder will receive a scratch-off ticket offering a concession prize of one of the following:

• FREE Large Popcorn
• FREE Junior Popcorn
• FREE Super Combo - Large Fountain Beverage + Large Popcorn
• FREE Ultra Combo - 2 Large Fountain Beverages + 1 Large Popcorn
• FREE Large Fountain Beverage
• FREE Regular Fountain Beverage
• FREE Large ICEE
• FREE Sour Patch Kids
• FREE Skittles
• FREE Nerds Gummi Clusters
• FREE M&Ms (Plain or Peanut)
• $10 Off Ultimate Popcorn Tub (New Purchase)

The scratch-off card can be redeemed between February 1-28, 2026 (not valid at their New York location). For more information, including the fine print, please visit the National Popcorn Day 2026 promotion page on the Marcus Theatres website.

Last year, the theater chain offered 50% off the price of their popcorn tub, which was a great deal! However, this year, they're only offering a chance to get $10 off the $30 price of their popcorn tub. Color us disappointed...

Micon Cinemas

Their 2026 Annual Popcorn Bucket will be $20, which is $10 off the regular price. If you already have a bucket, your bucket will be filled free (one-time only) at Micon Cinemas locations on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Moore Theatres

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Moore Theatres locations with an 85-ounce popcorn for $1 with a ticket purchase. This deal coincides nicely with $4 movies at their theaters on Mondays!

NCG Cinemas

NCG Neighborhood Rewards members will receive a free 46 ounce popcorn at NCG Cinemas locations on Monday, January 19, 2026, according to the company's social media accounts. Those with 2026 annual popcorn tubs are eligible for a free refill.

Members must be signed into their rewards account to receive the free popcorn. This promotion is limited to one free 46 ounce popcorn per rewards account.

Phoenix Theatres

Phoenix Theatres is celebrating National Popcorn Day by offering free refills of their Annual Popcorn Bucket on January 19, 2026. This offer is valid at Phoenix Theatres locations and it requires the purchase of the popcorn bucket. According to information we found on the company's website, the 2026 Annual Popcorn Bucket can be purchased for $17.99 and offers unlimited same-day refills for $5.99. The bucket refill program is valid through December 31, 2026.

Premiere Cinemas

Premiere Cinemas locations will be offering a weekend-long celebration of National Popcorn Day. Starting Friday, January 16, 2026, ticket buyers will get a "Scratch & Win" ticket that offers a chance to win free movies for a year and other prizes.

Reading International (Angelika, Consolidated Theatres, Reading Cinemas)

All sizes of popcorn are 50% off at Angelika, Consolidated Theatres, and Reading Cinemas locations. This includes their XXXL Popcorn, which the company says is equivalent to seven large popcorns!

Regal

On January 19, 2026, dress up in costume and go to your local Regal location and get a free large popcorn! Guests just need to tell the concession worker which movie or movie character they are representing. The company is encouraging people to post their photos at theaters on social media and tag @RegalMovies for a chance to win one of ten three-month Regal Unlimited passes.

Visit Regal's National Popcorn Day promotion page for more details. The fine print on an ad we found appears to say that no purchase is necessary but is limited to legal residents of the US or DC that are 18 or older (19+ in Alabama and Nebraska, 21+ in Mississippi). Check out their rules page for the full list of restrictions.

Regency Theatres

Get one free 46 ounce popcorn with any ticket purchase at Regency Theatres locations.

Rogers Cinemas

When you purchase any size drink at Rogers Cinema locations, you can get a small, medium, or large popcorn for free.

According to a message posted to the company's Facebook page, the drink can be fountain, ICEE, and bottled drinks, and you can choose whichever size popcorn you like regardless of the size of the drink. There is a limit of one free popcorn per drink purchased. Kids trays and curbside popcorns are excluded.

UEC Theatres (United Entertainment Corp.)

Enjoy a free small popcorn at UEC Theatres locations on National Popcorn Day.

Single-Location Movie Theaters

Pennsylvania

• Get a free Junior size popcorn with your movie ticket at South Pike Cinemas in Sarver, Pennsylvania. One per customer.

Who Has the Best Deal? Find More Deals? Let Us Know!

Who has the best deal? If you've found a deal, or if your theater is offering a promotion that's not listed here, please leave a message below or go to our Facebook page and leave a comment there!

Please note: The promotions listed above are good on January 19, 2025 and are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of the writing of this article. Specific limitations, terms, and other fine print may apply so please verify the details of all promotions with the individual theater you wish to visit.