The latest showstopper in movie theater excess isn’t a blockbuster trailer or some cutting-edge projection—it’s a colossal, gleaming popcorn bucket modeled after Galactus, Marvel’s famously ravenous cosmic villain. According to Reuters, this $80 snack vessel—unveiled at Los Angeles’ TCL Chinese Theatre—is now a Guinness World Record holder for largest commercially available popcorn container.
When Popcorn Gets a Cosmic Upgrade
Eighty dollars for a popcorn bucket might sound like peak spectacle or a prank on your credit card statement, but this one is sized and styled less like a snack accessory and more like a hobbyist’s home planet. Details reviewed in Reuters show the Galactus bucket boasts a width of 20 inches (51 centimeters) and stands 17.5 inches tall, with a cavernous 341-ounce (10-liter) capacity. The Straits Times describes slightly different measurements—44 centimeters tall and a 9-liter volume—but in either case, the numbers are less “handheld treat” and more “conversation starter.”
The container doesn’t just lean on size for its claim to fame. Both The Straits Times and Reuters document that it features a metallic finish and bright blue LED eyes, giving the bucket an afterlife as a sci-fi display piece. Lacey Noel, a tour guide at the TCL Chinese Theatre, presented the item to onlookers, remarking in Reuters’ report, “It is $80 and people are currently eating it up.” Pun presumably intended.
Fandom, Collectibles, and the $80 Popcorn Dilemma
The rollout of the Galactus bucket wasn’t just about moving inventory—it was an event in itself, drawing Marvel fans eager for a dose of spectacle with their snacks. As The Straits Times details, crowds lined up at the concession stands, seeking the limited-edition bucket as a souvenir of both cinematic and snacking history. Chris Banda, one of the fans who snagged the oversized collectible, told Reuters, “I think these buckets are fantastic… I obviously wouldn’t have got this if I didn’t come to the theaters and I think it’s designed very well and it’s got a lot of popcorn, so cool.”
What stands out is how the humble popcorn bucket—once an unremarkable, disposable sidekick to the moviegoing experience—has morphed into a sought-after badge of fandom. Whereas exclusive drink toppers and themed snacks have become fixtures at theater chains over the years, The Straits Times points to this particular release as part of a more coordinated effort. Studios and cinemas are courting audiences with exclusive, tangible experiences—things that simply don’t translate to home streaming, no matter how good the soundbar.
Peak Collectible, or Just the Beginning?
There’s a gentle comic irony to this new era of snack collectibles—the notion of hundreds queuing (and paying $80) for the privilege to say, “Yes, my popcorn bucket lights up and contains more popped corn than my kitchen pot can handle.” In details highlighted by The Straits Times, the vessel’s memorabilia appeal is integral to the experience: even after the popcorn is gone, the Galactus head remains, glowing eyes and all.
This isn’t just about extra-large portions. It’s about the ritual of participating in pop culture’s latest oddity, owning a tiny piece (well, not that tiny) of Marvel’s universe, and supporting an industry still regaining its footing after years of upheaval. Reuters notes the bucket’s connection to the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps” film, framing it as both a marketing ploy and a bonafide collector’s item.
So, is this the final form of the movie theater collectible, or merely another escalation? Should we expect popcorn buckets the size of actual planets for the next crossover event? Or perhaps souvenir cola tanks in the shape of evil lairs? When the everyday is already this strange, does anything still surprise us?
For the moment, the world’s largest popcorn bucket—decked out in chrome, glowing fiercely—sits contentedly atop shelves and social feeds, quietly awaiting the next fan who wants to snack at cosmic scale.
