Summer Movies Are Here, and So Are the New Popcorn Buckets

The year 2024 firmly changed movie theater concession stands forever. Thanks to Dune: Part Two, and dozens of films after the fact, the themed popcorn bucket has become a staple of the multiplex. Anytime a new movie comes out, fans now think “Well, what is the popcorn bucket going to be?”

The answer to that question came a few times this week with the official start of the summer movie season. Marvel’s latest film, Thunderbolts, is now in theaters and it brought along at least three new popcorn buckets. But beyond that, buckets for the May 23 release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, June 13 release of How to Train Your Dragon, and the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece Jaws were all revealed recently. Let’s check out each of them.

First up, Thunderbolts. Marvel isn’t playing around.

You’ve gotta love the Red Guardian helmet but the limo? And the asterix? Come on. Too cool.

Next up, Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning. This one can only be unlocked with a key, just like the all-important submarine in the movie.

That’s both really interesting and also potentially frustrating. How soon until you lose the key? For me, it would be immediately. Moving on a bit more traditional, but still adorable, is How to Train Your Dragon.

Come on! How cute is that? And finally, probably the best of the bunch, the Jaws popcorn bucket for the film’s 50th anniversary.

Now, not all of these buckets will be available at every theater so be sure to check your local theaters for availability. And some are even available on the website of the theater chain, such as the Thunderbolts asterix and Jaws bucket via Drafthouse.

We’ll keep an eye on more popcorn buckets all summer, but which are you most looking forward to? Personally, I’m excited to see what theaters come up with for Fantastic Four. Will we get a stretchy bucket? Surely a rocky orange Thing bucket. One that’s invisible? One that lights up in flames? The possibilities are endless.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.