How to Get Free Popcorn This Friday for National Popcorn Day

Popcorn is a must-have when going to the movies. There’s something magical about diving into a tub of buttery goodness while watching your favorite stars on the silver screen. 

January 19th is National Popcorn Day. That’s the perfect excuse to go to your local cinema and enjoy your favorite snack! Best of all, Regal Theaters is offering free popcorn to moviegoers to celebrate this holiday.

What is National Popcorn Day, and how did it start?

This tasty holiday has a hazy history. October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. Why October? That’s when farmers harvest crops, including popcorn kernels. National Popcorn Day didn't have a set day during that month in the ‘70s. 

In the ‘80s, National Popcorn Day was moved to January 31 to coincide with the Super Bowl. Since the early aughts, January 19 has become the official holiday. It doesn't matter when you celebrate, as long as you take advantage of the free deals. 

How to get your free popcorn at Regal Theaters

Hot, freshly popped popcorn, with or without butter, is free at Regal Theaters on National Popcorn Day. How do you get it? Become a member of the Regal Crown Club. It’s free to sign up and use. 

Membership comes with perks. Save money while shopping for food and tickets. Members receive upgrades and accrue credits every time they see a movie. In turn, those credits can earn rewards that range from free food to movie posters.

As a member of the Regal Crown Club, pony up to the concession stand on January 19th, and you’ll pick up a free small popcorn. Nonmembers get 50% off any size of their classic popcorn.

All Regal Crown Club members who own a Regal Refillable popcorn bucket can also get a free fill-up! There are many reasons to be excited about a holiday that you may not have known about before now. 

Location of Regal Theaters

Regal Theaters owns 428 movie theaters in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Gaum. Almost every theater has multiple screens. The total number of that is 5808. That’s a lot of movies. 

The easiest way to find your local Regal is to use their movie theater locator. Many states only have a single location but here are the only states you won't find any Regal Theaters in: 

• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

More popcorn deals 

The National Cinema Foundation and Fandango have teamed up with movie theaters across the country to promote this delicious day of freebies and good deals. If there isn’t a Regal theater near you, other movie chains might have an appetizing popcorn deal. Here are some to know:

• AMC Theatres offers free popcorn refills
• Cinemark is taking $2 off all medium and large tubs of popcorn
• Cinepopolis is celebrating with 50% off all popcorn purchases
• Alamo Drafthouse gives customers a free bowl of popcorn doused with clarified butter with a $5 minimum food and drink order
• Showcase Cinemas is giving Starpass members a free small popcorn
• Fandango, the movie ticketing site, lists all popcorn deals at participating movie theaters nationwide
• Evo Entertainment Theaters has free popcorn whether or not you buy a movie ticket

All around, this Friday can be a great way to keep more money in your wallet while enjoying your favorite movie snack. 

Bottom line

January 19th is National Popcorn Day. It’s the perfect holiday that combines two great treats: movies and popcorn! All across the country, movie theaters are either giving away free popcorn or discounting snack food to their moviegoers. 

It might be a good idea to pre-purchase movie tickets to not miss out on this one-day fest. If you don't see your theater on the list, consider giving them a call in advance and seeing what deals they might be offering.