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Question
Finally went to Oppenheimer, in iMAX yesterday, and I was really surprised how many refilled popcorn buckets I saw. When I was getting my ticket scanned, I saw one, possibly 2 from people leaving the theater, but though nothing of that. Then when I was in line to get my refillable popcorn bucket filled I saw at least 4 people purchasing them. When I got up to the register I asked what was up with all the popcorn buckets and the person at the counter said they were running a special for $10 (filled). They were definitely pushing them because the woman at the register had a stack of at least a half dozen sitting next to the register and I heard her trying to “upsell” them to 2 groups of people. I did find it interesting that it was the regular register that was doing it and the A-List/Premiere line wasn’t. I also saw 3 on my way out, but some of those coulda been people I saw earlier.
I know AMC usually reduces the refillable bucket prices later in the year. Does any one know if that’s the case? Or is it more likely that they’re just trying to clear out their inventory?
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I’ve had mine since January. I’m usually the only one with one when I go
Looks like only theaters that do this specific promo can have it. If I bought a bottomless popcorn bucket and brought it another amc that doesn't seem it can you still use it?
“The 2023 annual popcorn bucket is valid through December 31, 2023 at AMC CLASSIC locations. Bucket refills are available for $5.29 plus tax per visit through December 31, 2023. AMC Stubs members receive a second bucket refill free on same day refill purchase with valid receipt.”
This is the fine print on the participating theaters page. AMC Classics are supposed to sell the buckets, but some non-Classic locations (like mine) sell them. Based on other popcorn bucket subreddit threads, regular locations should honor the deal BUT managers do have the right to refuse them.
I had to search around to find a location that sold them near me last Kanuary. But my local AMCs all fill them with no problem when I take it in. Best $20 deal around. Only thing that would make it better is if they put a bar code on it that you could scan to buy the fill instead of having to catch a staff member to ring it up.
Yeah, it can be a little weird trying to pay for the refill and when I’m getting my free refill I’m surprised they don’t ask if I’ve already payed for it a little more. I think I had an employee do that for the first time recently when I was getting my free refill after watching a movie. Not complaining, I think it’s good they ask/verify if you already payed that day.
I also have a feeling a decent.number of people don’t pay for their first (re)fill and just go straight to the pickup area and have someone refill them. Remember some posting that they pop their own popcorn at home and use the bucket to bring it into the theater. When I called them out they got really pissy and stalked me on the Reddit the rest of the day. 🤷♂️
Yeah, definitely the only reason I saw so many is because they were pushing them. Why not get the bucket for the same price as a large popcorn?
I rarely ever see them at my smaller primary AMC. I will on occasion see them on my bigger iMAX AMC, which I primarily use for iMAX premiers, smaller releases or anniversary rereleases that don’t show at my other theater. I’m guessing the ones I do are regular movie goes, or fellow A-Lister.
I wanted to get my bucket late last year but didn’t get it until February, because that’s when my theaters finally got them in.
The cost of popcorn is probably five cents a bucket so they make more from concessions than from movies. I personally can’t handle all the salt from the popcorn.
Sounds about right, around august they drop the price to $10. I've bought one in past years for $10 around this same time frame. Because they are only good until the end of December and then you have to buy a new bucket for 2024.
True, when I rejoined A-List in Oct. 2021 I got a bucket for $10. Just caught me off guard that my local AMC was pushing the deal. I’ve also seen AMC pushing it on Twitter in the past and haven’t seen anything this year and their website is still showing $20
Think I’ve gotten buckets 4 times? Twice near the end of the year at reduced price and popcorn included. Twice earlier in year where they charge you for the bucket and also refill cost for the popcorn. Last year both my AMCs were out of stock when I wanted to get them.
I think it's because the price dropped, and at least my area, they non-classic AMCs have started selling them now, whereas before you could only get them at AMC Classics
That’s interesting, and exciting, if they’re expanding the locations to more non-Classic AMCs!
If I remember the story correctly when AMC purchased the Carmike chain, due to many of the locations and quality of the theaters, they renamed them to AMC Classics. The refillable buckets were something that Carmike was selling and due to the popularity they continued to sell them at those locations. It seems like other non-classic locations, that were not originally AMC are more likely do also sell buckets. I know that’s the case for my non-classic AMCs, which were originally Karasote theaters and they’ve been selling buckets for years.
My assumption is that they're trying to clear out inventory of this year's buckets by expanding location+cutting prices before next years get released
Very well could be. I know mine gets one shipment a year and sell themuntil the inventory runs out and they usually drop prices around August. Thanks to coke contest rewards (free popcorn/drinks) last year my plan was to use them all and then buy the discount bucket, but both my AMCs were out of buckets by that time.
Grew up going to Carmike and every January my family would purchase a refillable popcorn bucket. I thought it was common until I moved to the big city.
Anyone know if the Disney Springs AMC has started selling them? Based on some of the comments here looks like some non-classic locations are getting them to sell.
What the heck is an AMC Classic? I've been trying to get the refillable bucket since my local AMC discontinued them years ago but have not had any luck.
Your not the only person who is confused by this. This subreddit has had many, and I’m sure many more, threads with questions about popcorn buckets. Basically if what I’ve read in the past is correct bellow is a brief history explaining AMC Classic.
AMC Classic are what we’re formally Carmike theaters, which AMC bought out years ago. Carmike was a theater chain that focused on small often ignored towns. Due to the quality of many of the theaters and the fact that ticket prices were generally lower, AMC decided to relabel these theaters as AMC Classics. Apparently Carmike sold refillable buckets and due to their popularity AMC decided to continue that tradition and label/sell them as AMC Classics [current year] Annual Popcorn Buckets.
The confusion comes in when trying to figure out where they’re actually sold. AMC Classics are a very safe bet, but not all actually sell them. Some “regular” AMCs also sell them, but it’s hard to tell which ones do and it that can change for year to year. Some people assume that other old theater chains that AMC has bought out are more likely to sell them. To make things even more confusing it’s not uncommon for AMC to ship locations one batch of buckets a year and once they’re gone that location won’t get any more. Mine didn’t get them in until late February this year and when I tried to buy them around this time last year they were out of them.
Anyways sorry if I bored you with this post, but hope you found it helpful. 😆
Thank you sir. That helps a lot. I think the AMC I bought the bucket from years ago in fact was originally a Carmike theater. Or a private one, or a dollar theater. Something like that. Now it all makes sense. I wish the Disney Springs location would get some...
They could be trying to incentivize non-movie goers who are coming to see the hype around Barbie and Oppenheimer to come back. The fact that it wasn’t being sold in the A list/Premier line (people who probably go to the movies) supports this.
Agree, I was basically wondering the same thing but like @purplefreak3 stated, they also tend to drop the price around this time of the year. I’m curious if anyone of the buckets ended up the trash after the movie?
Can someone post a pic of what it looks like? Might get one for my grandparents who love to pop in the theater just for the popcorn.
Not all locations carry them. AMC Classics should, but some regular ones (like mine) also do. They also have lids, but it’s hit or miss if they include one, charge extra or don’t have any in stock.
My closest AMC has the paper avatar one still 🙄🙄🙄. I wish I could see the cool refillable ones you all have been talking about.
What does the popcorn bucket look like?
Edit: spelling
I posted an image of one on this thread.