In an age of on-demand streaming at home, movie theaters have had to get creative to sell tickets.
Nothing exemplifies this era better than AMC’s “Dune: Part Two” popcorn bucket, which the theater released alongside the movie earlier this year — generating a truly viral phenomenon ranging from disgust over its possibly “anatomical” appearance to a legitimate collectible craze.
They appear to sell for around $100 on eBay still, more than six months since its release.
Collectible popcorn buckets aren't new. Just this week on eBay there have been sales of more than $500 for buckets produced for 1960s science fiction films called the "Monster Bucket" and the first Pokémon movie.
AMC took the modern success enjoyed by the "Dune" bucket and ran with it, applying the same concept to “DESPICABLE ME 4,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and most recently, "Deadpool and Wolverine."
As 2022’s “The Batman” is set to hit theaters for a one-day screening Wednesday, in honor of the 85th anniversary of Batman, AMC will offer moviegoers what it calls a “Batman 85th Popcorn Collectible Concession Vessel (CCV).”
Promising a “near prop quality" 85-ounce light-up Bat Signal popcorn bucket and a 32-ounce lenticular drink cup, AMC will offer the bundle for $44.99 (plus tax). While the buckets are not explicitly described as limited-edition, they are offered at select theaters and available as supplies last.
Of course, eBay has already been flooded with presale orders, with multiple selling Monday for around $80 (nearly twice the retail price).
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.