The Galactus popcorn bucket for The Fantastic Four: First Steps is here, and it’s not just huge—it’s $80 huge. Yes, you read that right. But what’s the deal with theaters relying on these buckets for revenue? And how does this fit into the outlook for the film? Let’s dig in.
Here’s the TL;DR…
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The Galactus-themed popcorn bucket for The Fantastic Four: First Steps costs $80, featuring LED eyes and a massive design.
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Theaters are increasingly relying on themed popcorn buckets for revenue, with AMC reporting $54 million in 2024.
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The outlook for The Fantastic Four: First Steps is optimistic, with current box office tracking at $135 million for the opening weekend.
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Social media reactions range from excitement over the bucket’s novelty to skepticism about its price and the film’s potential.
What Is the Galactus Popcorn Bucket, and Why Does It Cost $80?
The Galactus popcorn bucket for The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a behemoth. IGN reports it’s priced at $80, featuring LED eyes and a 17-inch height covered in faux-metal. AMC Theatres Shop details its epic design, perfect for Marvel fans. Kotaku questions its practicality, noting it’s “way too big” for a crowded theater. It’s not just a bucket; it’s a statement. But $80? That’s not a typo. It’s a gamble on fan loyalty.
Why Are Theaters Relying on Popcorn Buckets for Revenue?
Theaters are leaning hard on themed popcorn buckets. Time covers the trend, noting AMC’s $54 million in revenue from these in 2024, up from zero in 2018. The Hollywood Reporter discusses how raising ticket prices is riskier, as revenues are shared with studios. Buckets, however, are pure profit. It’s a strategy that’s working, but it’s also a sign of desperation. Popcorn buckets are the new black.
Via Time…
(…) theaters can keep all the money they make on food and drinks. Wold estimates that margins on concessions average in the mid-80% range, and that basics like popcorn and soda tend to have a 95% margin. Though the novelty popcorn buckets are more expensive to produce than a regular paper bag, the profits still justify the expense. If the theater sells a $10 regular bucket of popcorn at a 95% margin, it makes $9.50. If the theater sells a $30 special popcorn bucket at a 75% margin, they make $22.50.
What’s the Outlook for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Including Current Box Office Tracking?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters, and the outlook is promising. IMDb lists Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, directed by Matt Shakman. Box Office Pro predicts strong opening weekend numbers, citing Pascal’s draw and Marvel’s brand. Current box office tracking, as of July 3, 2025, estimates an opening weekend of $135 million, buoyed by early ticket sales and buzz around the Galactus popcorn bucket. ScreenRant speculates on its potential to revive the franchise after Dial of Destiny’s underperformance. It’s a high-stakes game, but Marvel’s betting big.
How Are People Reacting to the Galactus Popcorn Bucket and the Film on Social Media?
Social media is abuzz. Reddit (r/Movies) shows a mix of excitement and skepticism, with one user posting, “$80 for a popcorn bucket? That’s wild.” X posts range from “Can’t wait for Galactus to eat my snacks” to “Another Marvel cash grab.” The Verge covers the buzz, noting the bucket’s novelty but also the price pushback. It’s a cultural moment, for better or worse.
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.
Sources (in order of importance, with article names and dates):
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IGN (June 10, 2025): “AMC Unveils Galactus-Themed Popcorn Bucket for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and It’s Huge”
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AMC Theatres Shop (June 5, 2025): “The Fantastic Four: First Steps Galactus LED Popcorn Bucket”
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Time (November 26, 2024): “How the Novelty Popcorn Bucket Took Over Movies in 2024”
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The Hollywood Reporter (June 15, 2025): “Theaters’ Reliance on Themed Popcorn Buckets for Revenue”
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IMDb: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)”
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Box Office Pro (July 3, 2025): “Current Box Office Tracking for The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
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ScreenRant (June 25, 2025): “Can The Fantastic Four: First Steps Revive the Franchise?”
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The Verge (June 12, 2025): “Social Media Reactions to the Galactus Popcorn Bucket”
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Reddit threads on r/Movies
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X posts on the Galactus popcorn bucket and The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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