The Best Offers and Freebies for National Popcorn Day

Many Americans will have Monday, January 19 as their first day off of the new year for Martin Luther King Day, but they may not be aware of a decades-old tradition that could land them a tasty treat.

January 19 is National Popcorn Day in the United States, and several movie theater chains and restaurants are offering major deals to celebrate.

Cinemark theaters are running a "BYOB" (Bring your own bucket) deal, giving customers the option to fill a container of their choice with as much popcorn as they'd like for only $5.

Rules for the Cinemark deal state that the container of choice must not exceed 400 ounces, which the chain equates to two extra-large portions.

"It's time to get creative," Cinemark said on Instagram, displaying potential container options like Halloween buckets and camping coolers.

Popcorn Promotions At Various Theaters

Not to be outdone, AMC is running a promotion for National Popcorn Day that could give customers a reason to return to the chain all year long. For moviegoers who purchase the AMC Popcorn Pass ($29.99 per year), their first large popcorn will be free.

The Popcorn Pass entitles users to 50% off a large popcorn at AMC theaters every day for the remainder of the calendar year.

Regal Cinemas will offer a free large popcorn to visitors on Monday who arrive at their theaters in costume.

The chain is also offering a prize of three free months of its Regal Unlimited subscription service to those who post photos of their National Popcorn Day costumes online. Ten winners will be chosen this week from those who enter the promotion.

See A Movie, Get Free Popcorn

Cineplex will offer a free small popcorn with the purchase of a ticket on Monday, while Marcus Theaters offers a free large popcorn and the potential for more prizes through scratch-off coupons at the concession stand.

Backstage Pass members at B&B Theaters will receive a free regular popcorn with the purchase of a movie ticket on Monday, and Harkins Theaters will offer a 50% discount on any size popcorn to celebrate the holiday. Awards members with the chain who visit on National Popcorn Day will also receive a voucher for a free popcorn next month.

Fans looking for films to view on National Popcorn Day have a variety of films to choose from. Critically acclaimed hits like "Marty Supreme" and "No Other Choice" are showing ahead of the highly-anticipated Oscar nominations, and early-year horror hits like "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" and "Primate" give fans more options.