Where to Get Delicious Discounts at the Movies for National Popcorn Day

This weekend, movie watching gets a wonderfully weird, Dallas-sized upgrade. Monday, Jan. 19 is National Popcorn Day, and the deals are bringing golden, salty treasure to North Texas.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 19, Cinemark theaters across the area are swinging big with a kernel-fueled quest with the return of their “Bring Your Own Popcorn Bucket” event.

For a mere $5, the popcorn at all Cinemark locations, including local spots like Cinemark Dallas XD & IMAX and Cinemark West Plano XD, will fill nearly any container you bring.

The rules are simple but crucial: your chosen vessel must be clean, safe for food and no larger than a Lowe’s 5-gallon bucket (Lowe’s is their event partner). So, leave the laundry bins and inflatable pools at home, but feel free to get creative with that giant mixing bowl in the back of your cabinet or that pristine cowboy hat you’ve never worn.

The timing couldn’t be better, as the silver screen is currently graced with films practically demanding an oversized snack companion. If you’ve yet to dive into Avatar: Fire and Ash in all its IMAX 3D glory, this is your moment. A three-hour spectacle is the perfect partner for a bucket of popcorn so large it requires its own seat.

For those craving something new with more bite, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a visceral, haunting experience that will likely be discussed for the rest of the year. It’s a powerful film that pairs well with nervous handfuls of popcorn. On the afternoon of the 18th only, you can revisit a cinematic titan with the 25th-anniversary screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Four hours of epic storytelling practically necessitate a journey-worthy supply of sustenance.

Beyond the blockbusters, you can catch up on awards season contenders like the much-lauded Marty Supreme. And for the younger cinephiles (or those young at heart), the animated classic Madagascar is celebrating its 20th anniversary with special screenings.

Meanwhile, the Angelika Film Center at Mockingbird Station is offering 50% off popcorn, regardless of size, on Monday, Jan. 19. Angelika members (the membership program is free, so this is your moment to take advantage) get additional perks, like an XXXL bag of popcorn for only $10.

The Angelika is known for more indie gems, so you can catch films like Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring a stacked cast featuring Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and more. But you can also see the blockbuster Golden Globe award winners like Hamnet and Marty Supreme. Best of both worlds, really.

So, Dallas, the gauntlet has been thrown. Dust off your most audacious container, gather your fellow film lovers and head to the movies this weekend. It’s a rare opportunity to blend the familiar comfort of the movies with a dash of delightful absurdity. Choose your film and pick your buttery poison.