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Rotten Tomatoes Ratings — How Does Rotten Tomatoes Work?

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How Does Rotten Tomatoes Work?

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T he Rotten Tomatoes ratings system―good or bad? Well, I’d say it’s a bit better than the original way tomatoes were used to judge entertainment. Because even if we want to throw fruit at the screen, 21st century technology reminds us we don’t have to. Rotten Tomatoes will provide us with a fair Critic consensus before we even get to the theatre (saving us a ton of food and money).

So how does Rotten Tomatoes work, exactly? Is it a reliable judge of… characters … Okay, okay, hold your tomatoes please. Let’s get a behind the scenes look at how it all works.

What do the Rotten Tomatoes symbols mean? Read on

Rotten tomatoes ratings system.

Rotten Tomatoes started in 2000 and it quickly became moviegoers go-to for reviews. But ever since Fandango acquired the company, it’s become even more well-known adding something called a “Tomatometer” score next to every movie and ticket listing. 

Critics have suggested that there is much more nuance and complication when it comes to the correlation between a Rotten Tomatoes rating and ticket sales. And while we will not get into that in this article, I think there is something to be said psychologically about seeing a rating right before you make your choice.

But I digress. 

I know for me, the ubiquitous nature of a Rotten Tomatoes score has made me feel like they hold more weight than they once did. But do they really hold more weight? How is the score actually calculated? And how are critics curated? 

Let's break it down.

Tomatometer Breakdown

Rotten tomatoes rating system, how does the tomatometer work.

The Rotten Tomatoes rating system uses a scale better known as the “The Tomatometer.” This represents the percentage of positive reviews for a given film or show. The Tomatometer score is calculated after five reviews.

As the reviews come in, The Tomatometer measures the positive reviews against the negative ones and assigns either an overall score of fresh or rotten rating to the film or television show. 

A red tomato score indicating its fresh status, is designated when at least 60% of the reviews are positive. 

A green splat indicating rotten status, is displayed when less than 60% of the reviews are positive. 

If there is no score available, it usually just means the movie or show hasn’t been released or there aren’t enough reviews yet. So, now that we know how they’re calculated, who’s doing the reviewing? 

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How Does Rotten Tomatoes Rate Their Movies

How is rotten tomatoes rated .

Rotten Tomatoes is careful in its Critic curation. It won’t include just any critic’s review. It aggregates those who have been regularly putting out movie reviews over the last two years, and those who are considered active by Rotten Tomatoes standards. This just means they’ve published a review within the last year. While there are about 3,000 accepted reviewers (see the Tomatometer-approved critics criteria), usually only several hundred are actively reviewing for any given film. 

Many times, it’s much less. And Top Critics are counted with a separate score. So while the the Rotten Tomatoes rating system is really just general consensus, you can see some of the more renowned critics in a different space.

But it’s not just about the critics! You also get a fully rounded out review because you can also see how the audience feels. 

What is the Tomatometer?

Popcorn rating explained, rotten tomatoes audience score.

This is a great feature of the site because it provides information from everyday moviegoers but also gives you some insight to see how close this score is to the critics’ scores. It can help you gauge if it’s truly a must-see or probably-pass. And it’s calculated similarly to critic reviews.

The Audience Score is designated by a popcorn bucket.

The score is the percentage of users who have rated the movie or show positively. There is also a section for Verified Ratings which includes those that have actually bought tickets. 

To receive a full popcorn bucket , at least 60% of users give a film or show a star rating of 3.5 or higher.

A tipped over popcorn bucket indicates that less than 60% of users have given it a 3.5 or higher. 

The most interesting finds are the ones that have a green splat for critics, and a full bucket of popcorn from the audience. 

While it’s rarely ever vice-versa, it happens, and it’s then when Rotten Tomatoes ratings may seem more subjective, and we wonder if the system works. And while reviews are opinion to some extent, the site boasts something called Certified Fresh, which brings a little more objectivity to the critique. 

Audience Score Breakdown

Certified rotten tomatoes score, what is certified fresh.

What does Rotten Tomatoes mean by Certified Fresh?

If a film or television show is awarded a Certified Fresh status, it’s being acknowledged that it’s met these requirements:

• It has at least five reviews from Top Critics
• A steady Tomatometer score of at least 75%
• Limited release films must have at least 40 reviews
• Wide release films must have at least 80 reviews
• TV shows are eligible by season and must have at least 20 reviews per season

Of course these stats could fluctuate, especially within the first few days or weeks of a film’s release. If it meets these requirements, it is automatically flagged for review.

When the Rotten Tomatoes staff can determine the movie or show is unlikely to fall below these numbers, it achieves its Certified Fresh status.

Similarly, if the Tomatometer score ever falls below 70%, it will lose this status. Because the Rotten Tomatoes ratings system is so general, RT certified fresh consideration gives the site more objective credibility. 

What does Rotten Tomatoes mean for movies

Is rotten tomatoes good for movies.

So, what's the bottom line? With the movie theater business under constant assault from the rise of streaming services, audiences are less and less likely to venture out to the movies. If they do happen to make it outside the house, they'll likely be extra picky about how they spend their money.

Will they choose an "untested" wildcard movie or one that has general approval from fans and critics? The answer is self-evident. On its surface, the Rotten Tomatoes rating system and Tomatometer seem to be a legitimate resource for the discerning consumer. 

However, there is also a legitimate concern for low-budget indie movies who already have the cards stacked against them in distribution. Since they don't have the marketing budget of the Hollywood tentpoles, curious moviegoers have little else to go on besides the Tomatometer. These "little fish" movies live or die by this system, which is ultimately opinion-based and subjective.

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What is a Cliche? Learn from Examples

If you’re a filmmaker or just love the movies, using cliches are a sure fire way to get awarded a nice big green splat, or a tipped over popcorn bucket.  Next up, are some examples of these tired situations and ways to avoid them.

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Decoding The Symbols: Understanding What The Rotten Tomatoes Ratings Mean

• Last updated Jul 27, 2023
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When it comes to film and television reviews, Rotten Tomatoes has become a household name. But have you ever wondered what those little symbols next to the movie or TV show ratings actually mean? Whether it's a juicy red tomato or a squished rotten tomato, these symbols hold the key to determining whether a film or show is worth your time. Join me as we delve into the world of Rotten Tomatoes and uncover the hidden meanings behind those iconic symbols.

What You'll Learn

What are the different symbols used by rotten tomatoes and what do they represent, how does rotten tomatoes determine the rating for a movie or tv show, are there any limitations or criticisms of the rotten tomatoes rating system, how do the symbols on rotten tomatoes, such as the certified fresh or rotten icons, affect the perception of a movie or show, can you explain the significance of the tomatometer score and how it relates to the symbols on rotten tomatoes.

Rotten Tomatoes is a popular website that aggregates reviews for movies and TV shows. It uses a variety of symbols to represent the reviews and give an overall score for each title. These symbols help viewers quickly understand the general consensus on a particular movie or show. Here are the different symbols used by Rotten Tomatoes and what they represent.

• Certified Fresh: This symbol, denoted by a red tomato with a green background, indicates that a movie or TV show has received positive reviews from critics. To earn the "Certified Fresh" label, a title must have a Tomatometer rating of 75% or higher, with a minimum number of reviews.
• Fresh: The Fresh symbol, also a red tomato, indicates that a movie or show has received mostly positive reviews. Titles with a Tomatometer rating between 60% and 74% are considered "Fresh."
• Rotten: The Rotten symbol is represented by a green splat over a red tomato. It signifies that a movie or TV show has received mostly negative reviews. Titles with a Tomatometer rating below 60% are labeled as "Rotten."
• Audience Score: In addition to the Tomatometer rating, Rotten Tomatoes also includes an Audience Score. This score represents the average rating given by verified audience members who have submitted reviews. The Audience Score is represented by popcorn tubs and can range from 0% to 100%. This score gives viewers an idea of how the general audience perceives a particular title.

It's important to note that the Tomatometer and Audience Score are separate metrics. The Tomatometer represents the opinions of critics, while the Audience Score reflects the opinions of general viewers. It is not uncommon for there to be a discrepancy between the two scores, as critics and audiences often have different tastes and preferences when it comes to movies and TV shows.

Rotten Tomatoes' use of symbols makes it easy for viewers to quickly understand the overall consensus on a movie or TV show. Whether it's the "Certified Fresh" label, the "Fresh" symbol, the "Rotten" splat, or the Audience Score, these symbols provide valuable information that can help viewers make informed decisions on what to watch.

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Rotten Tomatoes is a popular website that aggregates reviews from professional critics and calculates a rating for movies and TV shows based on those reviews. The website has become a go-to source for moviegoers and television enthusiasts who are looking for recommendations or simply want to gauge the critical reception of a particular film or show. But how exactly does Rotten Tomatoes determine the rating for a movie or TV show?

Rotten Tomatoes uses a unique system to calculate the rating called the Tomatometer. The Tomatometer is a percentage score that represents the overall positive reviews for a movie or TV show. A high percentage on the Tomatometer indicates that the film or show has received mostly positive reviews, while a low percentage indicates that it has received mostly negative reviews.

To determine the Tomatometer score, Rotten Tomatoes collects reviews from accredited critics, including professional journalists, bloggers, and other media members. These critics are carefully selected based on their expertise and credibility, ensuring that the reviews used to calculate the score come from trusted sources.

Once the reviews are collected, Rotten Tomatoes assigns each one a rating of either "fresh" or "rotten". A fresh rating indicates a positive review, while a rotten rating indicates a negative one. The rating is determined by the critic's overall opinion of the movie or TV show.

After assigning the fresh or rotten rating, Rotten Tomatoes calculates the overall percentage of positive reviews to determine the Tomatometer score. If a movie or TV show receives at least 60% positive reviews, it is considered "fresh" and receives a certified fresh badge. If the percentage falls below 60%, it is considered "rotten". The Tomatometer score is then displayed prominently on the movie or TV show's page on the Rotten Tomatoes website.

It's important to note that the Tomatometer score does not reflect the average rating of the reviews. For example, a movie or TV show with a 90% Tomatometer score does not mean that it received an average rating of 9 out of 10. Instead, it means that 90% of the reviews collected were positive.

While the Tomatometer score is a useful tool for quickly gauging critical reception, Rotten Tomatoes also provides additional information to help users make informed decisions. The website includes an Audience Score, which represents the percentage of Rotten Tomatoes users who rated the movie or TV show positively. This score can provide a different perspective, as it is based on the opinions of regular viewers rather than professional critics.

In conclusion, Rotten Tomatoes determines the rating for a movie or TV show by collecting reviews from accredited critics and assigning them a fresh or rotten rating. The overall percentage of positive reviews is then used to calculate the Tomatometer score. While the Tomatometer is a helpful tool, it's just one aspect of Rotten Tomatoes' comprehensive approach to providing valuable information to moviegoers and TV enthusiasts.

What Does the Yellow Eye Symbol Mean on TikTok: Decoding Its Meaning and Significance

Rotten Tomatoes is a popular movie and TV review aggregator that is widely used by both critics and audiences to determine the overall consensus on a particular film or TV show. While it is generally regarded as a useful tool for gauging the quality of a film or TV show, there are some limitations and criticisms that have been raised regarding the Rotten Tomatoes rating system.

One of the main criticisms of the Rotten Tomatoes rating system is its reliance on binary ratings, where a film or TV show is either classified as "fresh" or "rotten" based on whether its average rating is above or below a certain threshold. This binary system fails to capture nuance and can lead to misleading results. For example, a film with a rating of 6/10 can be classified as "rotten," despite having an overall positive reception from audiences and critics.

Another limitation of the Rotten Tomatoes rating system is that it does not take into account the intensity of the reviews. A film with a high percentage of positive reviews may have a lower average rating compared to a film with a lower percentage of positive reviews but higher average rating. This can distort the overall perception of a film's quality, as the average rating may be a more accurate representation of the critics' opinions than the percentage of positive reviews.

Furthermore, the Rotten Tomatoes rating system does not take into account the demographic breakdown of the reviews. While it provides an overall consensus on a film or TV show, it fails to acknowledge that different demographics may have varying opinions on a particular work. This can lead to a skewed representation of a film's quality and may not accurately reflect the opinions of specific demographics, such as minority groups or niche audiences.

Additionally, some critics argue that the Rotten Tomatoes rating system has an inherent bias towards mainstream blockbusters and popular films. This is because the system calculates the average rating by assigning equal weight to each review, regardless of the publication or the credibility of the critic. As a result, films with a larger number of reviews, such as big-budget Hollywood films, tend to have a higher average rating, even if some of the individual reviews may be negative. This can create a bias towards commercially successful films and may overlook smaller independent films that may have critical acclaim but a smaller number of reviews.

Despite these limitations and criticisms, the Rotten Tomatoes rating system remains a popular and influential tool for many moviegoers and TV viewers. It provides a general consensus on the quality of a film or TV show, which can be helpful for those looking for recommendations or to get an idea of the overall reception. However, it is important to approach the ratings with a critical eye and consider other factors, such as individual reviews and personal preferences, in order to make an informed decision about what to watch.

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When it comes to evaluating movies and TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes has become one of the most influential platforms. The website aggregates reviews from both professional critics and audience members, and assigns a score based on the percentage of positive reviews. However, it is not just the numerical score that holds power over the perception of a movie or show – the symbols used by Rotten Tomatoes, such as the Certified Fresh or Rotten icons, also play a significant role in shaping public opinion.

The Certified Fresh icon, represented by a red tomato, is a highly coveted symbol that signifies a movie or show has received positive reviews from critics and has achieved a certain threshold of overall approval. This symbol is accompanied by a numerical score, usually above 75%, which further reinforces the notion of quality. When a movie or show displays the Certified Fresh symbol, it instantly gains credibility in the eyes of the audience.

Conversely, the Rotten icon, represented by a green splatter, indicates that a movie or show has received negative reviews from critics and falls below the threshold of overall approval. This symbol is often accompanied by a score below 60%, which further cements the notion of a film's lack of quality. When a movie or show carries the Rotten icon, it can be seen as a warning sign for audiences to stay away.

These symbols have a psychological impact on viewers and influence their decision-making process. Seeing the Certified Fresh icon can create a sense of assurance and legitimacy, making viewers more inclined to watch the movie or show. On the other hand, the Rotten icon can create a sense of skepticism and doubt, leading viewers to opt-out of watching the content altogether.

The symbols themselves are visually striking and easy to understand, making them highly effective at grabbing the attention of potential viewers. The use of colors – red for Certified Fresh and green for Rotten – taps into the emotional associations we have with these colors. Red is often associated with positivity, success, and desirability, while green is associated with negativity, failure, and warning signs. This further reinforces the impact of the symbols on the perception of a movie or show.

Moreover, Rotten Tomatoes' symbols have become widely recognized and are frequently referenced in popular culture. They have become shorthand for the perceived quality of a movie or show, which has further solidified their influence on public perception. In today's digital age, audiences often rely on quick and easy ways to judge the worthiness of a movie or show, and these symbols provide exactly that.

However, while the symbols on Rotten Tomatoes can be helpful indicators, it is essential to approach them with caution. The symbols only represent aggregated reviews and may not necessarily align with an individual's personal taste. A movie or show that receives a Certified Fresh rating may still not resonate with every viewer, and a Rotten rating does not automatically make a film or show unwatchable. It is always important to consider individual preferences and interests when deciding what content to consume.

In conclusion, the symbols used by Rotten Tomatoes, such as the Certified Fresh or Rotten icons, play a significant role in the perception of a movie or show. They provide a quick and visually impactful way for audiences to judge the quality and desirability of content. However, it is crucial to remember that these symbols are just one piece of the puzzle and should be considered alongside personal preferences and interests.

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The Tomatometer score is a critical tool used by Rotten Tomatoes to measure the consensus of film and television reviews. It is a helpful way for audiences to gauge the overall reception and quality of a movie or TV show. The significance of the Tomatometer score lies in its ability to provide a snapshot of popular opinion among critics.

Rotten Tomatoes assigns a Tomatometer score to each movie or TV show based on the percentage of positive reviews it receives. A high Tomatometer score indicates that a larger percentage of critics have given positive reviews, while a low score suggests a larger percentage of negative reviews. For example, a movie with a Tomatometer score of 90% means that 90% of the reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes were positive.

Understanding the symbols associated with the Tomatometer score is important when interpreting the score. Rotten Tomatoes uses two symbols, the certified fresh tomato and a splattered green tomato, to visually represent a positive or negative review. A certified fresh tomato symbol is placed next to movies or TV shows with a Tomatometer score of 75% or higher, indicating a majority of positive reviews. On the other hand, a splattered green tomato symbol is used for movies or TV shows with a score below 75%, indicating a majority of negative reviews.

The certified fresh tomato symbol carries an added significance. In addition to having a Tomatometer score of 75% or higher, a movie or TV show must also have a minimum number of reviews (80 for wide releases and 40 for limited releases) to be considered certified fresh. This requirement helps to ensure that the positive reviews are not the result of a small sample size.

The Tomatometer score and its associated symbols allow audiences to quickly and easily assess the critical reception of a movie or TV show. Many viewers find it helpful to use the score as a starting point in deciding whether to watch something. However, it's important to remember that the score is based on the opinions of professional critics, and individual tastes may vary. It's always a good idea to read a variety of reviews and consider personal preferences when choosing what to watch.

In summary, the Tomatometer score and its symbols on Rotten Tomatoes are significant because they provide a reliable measure of critical consensus. The score helps audiences determine if a movie or TV show has received predominantly positive or negative reviews. By using the certified fresh tomato and splattered green tomato symbols, Rotten Tomatoes makes it easy for viewers to quickly assess the critical reception of a film or television program. However, it's essential to remember that personal preferences may differ, and reading a variety of reviews can provide a more comprehensive understanding of a movie or TV show.

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Frequently asked questions.

The Certified Fresh symbol on Rotten Tomatoes indicates that a movie or TV show has received positive reviews from a certain number of professional critics. To be Certified Fresh, a movie must have a Tomatometer score of 75% or higher, with at least 40 reviews from approved critics, including 5 Top Critics.

The Fresh symbol on Rotten Tomatoes means that a movie or TV show has received positive reviews from professional critics. However, unlike Certified Fresh, there is no specific threshold for the percentage of positive reviews required to receive the Fresh symbol.

The Rotten symbol on Rotten Tomatoes means that a movie or TV show has received mostly negative reviews from professional critics. To receive the Rotten symbol, a movie must have a Tomatometer score of 59% or lower.

The Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes is the percentage of Rotten Tomatoes users who have rated a movie or TV show positively. It is a separate rating from the Tomatometer score, which is based on reviews from professional critics.

The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is a summary of the general critical consensus for a movie or TV show. While it may not be as important as individual reviews, it can give a general idea of the overall critical reception. Some users find it helpful in determining whether or not to watch a particular title.

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Against gossip & scandal, independent media network, global stories from local perspective, factual culture news, how to understand rotten tomatoes: an in-depth guide to help you decide what movies to watch next.

Caroline is currently a writer and contributor for Hollywood Insider. She believes in constant critical thinking and applied analysis when it comes to media consumption. Her goal aligns with Hollywood Insider’s mission statement, and she strives to educate readers on the nuances of the entertainment industry and to hopefully encourage them to form their own opinions on the media they consume daily.

Mar 10, 2021

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In 2020 alone, there were more than 320 films released in the United States and Canada. That was with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent movie theater closures. The year before, there were over 800 films released. With the ever-growing number of films to watch both in theaters and on streaming platforms , it’s becoming a harder decision for viewers to pick what they want to watch. The overwhelming nature of choice has dominated the movie market for years now, but the aim of critical review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes , is to help make that choice a little easier. 

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Rotten Tomatoes was launched in August 1998 with the goal of merging critical reviews into an easily-readable and understandable score that viewers could use to determine whether a movie was worth their time or not. It is important to note that, in 2016, Fandango , a movie ticketing company, acquired Rotten Tomatoes and now displays their scores next to films when you’re deciding on which tickets to purchase, so to say that Rotten Tomatoes scores are incredibly influential would be an understatement. They, in front of IMDB , are one of the most trusted sources for accurate, critical ratings on all your favorite movies. But where exactly do all the critical scores come from? And what do they mean? Let’s break it down.

What Are Critical Scores? How Are They Calculated?

When you click on a movie on Rotten Tomatoes, the first thing you see are two independent scores. One signifies an aggregation of critical ratings of a film (the “Tomatometer” ) and the other, denoted by a popcorn bucket, displays audience consensus on a film. In regards to critical reviews, there are three categories that a film can fall under: rotten, fresh, and certified fresh. To put it simply, if a film is marked as “rotten”, it means that under 60% of the total reviewers left a positive review. A positive review is usually marked by a score of 6 or more out of 10, but there is also room for interpretation as to what a positive score can be due to the wide variety of rating systems that critics use.

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Some critics use a letter grade such as “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” to judge films and others use a rating system out of 4 instead of 10. Ultimately, it falls to the curators of Rotten Tomatoes to clarify whether a review is positive or negative, and categorize it as such. As a side note, the overall percentage that you see at the top of the screen is the total amount of reviewers that scored the film positively. For example, ‘Coming 2 America’ currently holds a critical rating of 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning that of the 182 reviews, only 52% of them ranked the film positively. Got it? Great, let’s move on. If a film qualifies as “fresh”, that means that more than 60% of reviewers ranked the film positively.

That number increases to 75% or more if a film is “certified fresh”, however, that title is also accompanied by a different set of qualifying rules. For example, the film in question must have been reviewed 80 times or more, as well as have reviews by five of the “top critics” to qualify as certified fresh. But let’s back up even further to examine who these critics are and what qualifying categories they have to meet in order to be accepted into the Rotten Tomatoes club.

Who Are the Critics?

Rotten Tomatoes deems that all critics meet a set of eligibility guidelines that are meant to exemplify that this person or publication is influential (and experienced) enough to write well-articulated reviews. They do this through an application-based system with some of the requirements being: you must have been writing reviews for at least two years that are being published through a non-self-published source, whether that be online or print. For social media influencers, these qualifications are different in that you must have a subscriber count of at least 30,000 to be considered “widespread” enough in your audience scope. To put it simply, most Rotten Tomatoes reviewers are qualified to review films and have already been doing so, consistently, on a different platform. 

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Once a critic has been approved to write for Rotten Tomatoes, they either self-submit reviews to the website or continue to publish reviews via the medium they were previously published through. In the case of the latter, Rotten Tomatoes has a team of expert curators determine whether or not the review is “fresh” or “rotten”. This team of curators poses a morally gray area as they introduce a middleman who opens the reviews to the possibility of misinterpretation. Mostly, however, Rotten Tomatoes critics submit scores themselves in order to rule out any areas of miscommunication. 

Audience Scores Versus Critical Scores: Different Guidelines

Let’s switch gears a bit to talk about what an audience score is and what it means. Similarly to critical scores, the percentage at the top of the page (next to the popcorn bucket) represents the overall number of audience members who gave a film a positive review. However, it’s important to note that audience reviews have a different rating system than those described for critics, one that is universal and easier to aggregate. All audience reviews must score the film in question out of 5 stars. This shifts the rating system to a 3.5 out of 5 counting as a positive review while anything below that counts as a negative review. In this instance, and throughout this article, I’ve been using “positive” and “fresh” interchangeably as well as “negative” and “rotten” interchangeably too. Just a side note for anyone who feels confused! Luckily, the rest of the audience rating system is easier to digest. There’s a full popcorn bucket for any film that receives 60% or higher positive reviews from audience members while a spilled popcorn bucket denotes a film where less than 60% of reviewers scored the film positively.

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How You Can Use Rotten Tomatoes in Your Everyday Life

Okay, so now that I just rattled off a bunch of confusing numbers and percentages to you, let’s talk about why you should care. The main takeaway I hope you have from this article is that Rotten Tomatoes, at its core, is a review aggregator, which means that ultimately those percentages you see at the top of the screen are general estimates meant to give you an overall idea of what critics think about this film. Obviously, films with higher scores that are certified fresh, and films that fall to the other extreme of the rotten scale, are easier to judge because critical consensus is more unanimous. However, all these gray areas and film critics opinions shouldn’t matter to you unless you know for certain that you like their opinions. If you are a more traditional cinephile, aka a fan of the Criterion collection or HBOMax’s lineup, then you will probably benefit from looking at solely critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

For example, ‘L’Avventura’ directed by Michaelangelo Antonini in 1960, has a critical score of 94%, but an audience score of 88%. In a more abstract sense, if you prefer fun, entertaining blockbusters like the majority of the general public, you may not like this film as much as the professional critics who rated it very highly. At the end of the day, Rotten Tomatoes is in no way, shape, or form a Bible that determines a film’s quality. It is best used in a subjective way that accounts for nuances and personal taste. However, in this time of ever-growing film releases via all sorts of platforms, it can be helpful to look at a number and use it to make a quick judgment of a film before you dedicate an hour or more of your life to it. 

By  Caroline Adamec

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Popcorn Vs Rotten Tomatoes: How They Differ In Texture, Flavor, And Uses

What To Know

• Popcorn reviews often lack detailed analysis or critical insights, making it difficult to understand why a movie received a particular rating.
• This score serves as a barometer of critical opinion and is often used as a benchmark for a film’s quality.
• It’s important to remember that both Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to evaluating a film.

In the realm of film criticism, two giants stand tall: Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes. Both wield immense influence over moviegoers, yet their approaches to reviewing films couldn ‘t be more different. Popcorn represents the voice of the masses, while Rotten Tomatoes aggregates the opinions of professional critics. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricate relationship between these two titans, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and the unique perspectives they offer on the world of cinema.

Popcorn: The People’s Choice

Popcorn is a ubiquitous symbol of movie-going. Its crunchy texture and buttery aroma evoke memories of cozy theaters and shared cinematic experiences. As a crowd-sourced review platform, Popcorn allows moviegoers to rate and review films based on their personal enjoyment. This democratic approach gives voice to the opinions of everyday viewers, providing a glimpse into what the general public thinks about a particular movie.

• Authenticity: Popcorn reviews are unfiltered and genuine, reflecting the unvarnished opinions of moviegoers.
• Diversity: Popcorn’s massive user base ensures a wide range of perspectives, from casual viewers to avid film enthusiasts.
• Simplicity: The rating system is straightforward and easy to understand, making it accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Weaknesses:

• Subjectivity: Popcorn reviews are highly subjective and can be influenced by personal preferences and bias.
• Lack of Context: Popcorn reviews often lack detailed analysis or critical insights, making it difficult to understand why a movie received a particular rating.
• Potential for Manipulation: Popcorn’s open nature can make it susceptible to manipulation by studios or individuals seeking to boost or suppress ratings.

Rotten Tomatoes: The Critics’ Consensus

Rotten Tomatoes is a review aggregator that collects and analyzes reviews from professional film critics . It calculates a “Tomatometer” score, which represents the percentage of positive reviews a movie has received. This score serves as a barometer of critical opinion and is often used as a benchmark for a film’s quality.

• Expertise: Rotten Tomatoes relies on the opinions of experienced film critics, ensuring a level of knowledge and professionalism.
• Objectivity: The Tomatometer score provides a quantitative measure of critical consensus, reducing the influence of subjective factors.
• Transparency: Rotten Tomatoes displays the individual reviews behind the Tomatometer score, allowing users to see the basis for the consensus.
• Limited Perspective: Rotten Tomatoes only considers the opinions of a select group of critics, potentially excluding valuable perspectives from other sources.
• Potential for Bias: Critics can have their own biases and preferences, which can influence their reviews.
• Lack of Nuance: The Tomatometer score is a binary measure that doesn’t capture the full range of critical opinion.

Popcorn vs. Rotten Tomatoes: A Comparative Analysis

• Authenticity vs. Expertise: Popcorn provides genuine reactions from moviegoers, while Rotten Tomatoes offers informed opinions from critics.
• Diversity vs. Consensus: Popcorn represents a broad spectrum of perspectives, while Rotten Tomatoes provides a consensus view.
• Simplicity vs. Transparency: Popcorn’s straightforward rating system is easy to understand, while Rotten Tomatoes offers transparency by displaying individual reviews.
• Subjectivity vs. Objectivity: Popcorn reviews are highly subjective, while Rotten Tomatoes attempts to provide a more objective measure of critical opinion.
• Lack of Context vs. Potential for Bias: Popcorn reviews often lack analysis, while Rotten Tomatoes reviews can be influenced by critic bias.
• Potential for Manipulation vs. Limited Perspective: Popcorn’s open nature can be manipulated, while Rotten Tomatoes’ reliance on a select group of critics limits the range of perspectives considered.

The Role of Personal Preferences

Ultimately, whether you prefer Popcorn or Rotten Tomatoes depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you value authenticity and a broad range of opinions, Popcorn may be a better choice. If you prefer informed analysis and a consensus view , Rotten Tomatoes may be more suitable.

The Importance of Context

It’s important to remember that both Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to evaluating a film. They provide valuable insights , but they should not be the sole basis for your decision on whether or not to see a movie. Consider other factors such as the genre, cast, director, and personal recommendations.

The Evolution of Film Criticism

The relationship between Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes is constantly evolving . As the film industry and audience demographics change, so too will the role of these review platforms. It’s likely that we’ll see continued innovation and adaptation in the way movies are reviewed and consumed.

Recommendations: The Power of Choice

In the ongoing debate between Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes , there is no clear winner. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best approach is to use them in conjunction with other sources of information to form a well-rounded opinion about a film. The power lies in your hands as a moviegoer to decide which platform resonates with you the most and to use it as a tool to enhance your cinematic experience.

Top Questions Asked

Q: Which platform is more reliable for accurate movie reviews? A: Both Popcorn and Rotten Tomatoes have their own strengths and weaknesses. Popcorn provides authentic reactions from moviegoers, while Rotten Tomatoes offers informed opinions from critics. Ultimately, the best approach is to use both platforms in conjunction with other sources of information to form a well-rounded opinion.

Q: Can Rotten Tomatoes reviews be manipulated? A: While Rotten Tomatoes has measures in place to prevent manipulation , it’s not entirely immune to it. Studios or individuals may attempt to influence critic reviews or manipulate user ratings . It’s important to be aware of this potential and to consider the source and context of the reviews when making decisions based on them.

Q: How do I decide which platform to trust when choosing a movie? A: Consider your personal preferences and priorities. If you value authenticity and a broad range of opinions, Popcorn may be a better choice. If you prefer informed analysis and a consensus view, Rotten Tomatoes may be more suitable. Additionally, consider other factors such as the genre, cast, director, and personal recommendations to make an informed decision.

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Rotten Tomatoes, explained

Does a movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score affect its box office returns? And six other questions, answered.

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In February 2016, Rotten Tomatoes — the site that aggregates movie and TV critics’ opinions and tabulates a score that’s “fresh” or “rotten” — took on an elevated level of importance. That’s when Rotten Tomatoes (along with its parent company Flixster) was acquired by Fandango , the website that sells advance movie tickets for many major cinema chains.

People had been using Rotten Tomatoes to find movie reviews since it launched in 2000, but after Fandango acquired the site, it began posting “Tomatometer” scores next to movie ticket listings. Since then, studio execs have started to feel as if Rotten Tomatoes matters more than it used to — and in some cases, they’ve rejiggered their marketing strategies accordingly.

It’s easy to see why anyone might assume that Rotten Tomatoes scores became more tightly linked to ticket sales, with potential audiences more likely to buy tickets for a movie with a higher score, and by extension, giving critics more power over the purchase of a ticket.

But that’s not the whole story. And as most movie critics (including myself) will tell you, the correlation between Rotten Tomatoes scores, critical opinion, marketing tactics, and actual box office returns is complicated. It’s not a simple cause-and-effect situation.

My own work is included in both Rotten Tomatoes’ score and that of its more exclusive cousin, Metacritic . So I, along with many other critics , think often of the upsides and pitfalls of aggregating critical opinion and its effect on which movies people see. But for the casual moviegoer, how review aggregators work, what they measure, and how they affect ticket sales can be mysterious.

So when I got curious about how people perceive Rotten Tomatoes and its effect on ticket sales, I did what any self-respecting film critic does: I informally polled my Twitter followers to see what they wanted to know.

Here are seven questions that many people have about Rotten Tomatoes, and review aggregation more generally — and some facts to clear up the confusion.

How is a Rotten Tomatoes score calculated?

The score that Rotten Tomatoes assigns to a film corresponds to the percentage of critics who’ve judged the film to be “fresh,” meaning their opinion of it is more positive than negative. The idea is to quickly offer moviegoers a sense of critical consensus.

“Our goal is to serve fans by giving them useful tools and one-stop access to critic reviews, user ratings, and entertainment news to help with their entertainment viewing decisions,” Jeff Voris, a vice president at Rotten Tomatoes, told me in an email.

The opinions of about 3,000 critics — a.k.a. the “Approved Tomatometer Critics” who have met a series of criteria set by Rotten Tomatoes — are included in the site’s scores, though not every critic reviews every film, so any given score is more typically derived from a few hundred critics, or even less. The scores don’t include just anyone who calls themselves a critic or has a movie blog; Rotten Tomatoes only aggregates critics who have been regularly publishing movie reviews with a reasonably widely read outlet for at least two years, and those critics must be “active,” meaning they've published at least one review in the last year. The site also deems a subset of critics to be “top critics” and calculates a separate score that only includes them.

Some critics (or staffers at their publications) upload their own reviews, choose their own pull quotes, and designate their review as “fresh” or “rotten.” Other critics (including myself) have their reviews uploaded, pull-quoted, and tagged as fresh or rotten by the Rotten Tomatoes staff. In the second case, if the staff isn't sure whether to tag a review as fresh or rotten, they reach out to the critic for clarification. And critics who don't agree with the site’s designation can request that it be changed.

As the reviews of a given film accumulate, the Rotten Tomatoes score measures the percentage that are more positive than negative, and assigns an overall fresh or rotten rating to the movie. Scores of over 60 percent are considered fresh, and scores of 59 percent and under are rotten. To earn the coveted “designated fresh” seal, a film needs at least 40 reviews, 75 percent of which are fresh, and five of which are from “top” critics.

What does a Rotten Tomatoes score really mean ?

A Rotten Tomatoes score represents the percentage of critics who felt mildly to wildly positively about a given film.

If I give a film a mixed review that’s generally positive (which, in Vox’s rating system, could range from a positive-skewing 3 to the rare totally enamored 5), that review receives the same weight as an all-out rave from another critic. (When I give a movie a 2.5, I consider that to be a neutral score; by Rotten Tomatoes' reckoning, it's rotten.) Theoretically, a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating could be made up entirely of middling-to-positive reviews. And if half of the critics the site aggregates only sort of like a movie, and the other half sort of dislike it, the film will hover around 50 percent (which is considered “rotten” by the site).

Contrary to some people’s perceptions, Rotten Tomatoes itself maintains no opinion about a film. What Rotten Tomatoes tries to gauge is critical consensus.

Critics’ opinions do tend to cluster on most films. But there are always outliers, whether from contrarians (who sometimes seem to figure out what people will say and then take the opposite opinion), or from those who seem to love every film. And critics, like everyone, have various life experiences, aesthetic preferences, and points of view that lead them to have differing opinions on movies.

So in many (if not most) cases, a film’s Rotten Tomatoes score may not correspond to any one critic’s view. It’s more like an imprecise estimate of what would happen if you mashed together every Tomatometer critic and had the resulting super-critic flash a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

Rotten Tomatoes also lets audiences rate movies, and the score is often out of step with the critical score. Sometimes, the difference is extremely significant, a fact that's noticeable because the site lists the two scores side by side.

There’s a straightforward reason the two rarely match, though: The critical score is more controlled and methodical.

Why? Most professional critics have to see and review many films, whether or not they’re inclined to like the movie. (Also, most critics don’t pay to see films, because studios hold special early screenings for them ahead of the release date, which removes the decision of whether they’re interested enough in a film to spend their hard-earned money on seeing it.)

But with Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score, the situation is different. Anyone on the internet can contribute — not just those who actually saw the film. As a result, a film’s Rotten Tomatoes score can be gamed by internet trolls seeking to sink it simply because they find its concept offensive. A concerted effort can drive down the film’s audience score before it even comes out, as was the case with the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters .

Even if Rotten Tomatoes required people to pass a quiz on the movie before they rated it, the score would still be somewhat unreliable. Why? Because ordinary audiences are more inclined to buy tickets to movies they’re predisposed to like — who wants to spend $12 to $20 on a film they’re pretty sure they’ll hate?

So audience scores at Rotten Tomatoes (and other audience-driven scores, like the ones at IMDb) naturally skew very positive, or sometimes very negative if there’s any sort of smear campaign in play. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But audience scores tend to not account for those who would never buy a ticket to the movie in the first place.

In contrast, since critics see lots of movies — some of which they would have gone to see anyhow, and some of which they would’ve never chosen to see if their editors didn’t make the assignment — their opinion distribution should theoretically be more even, and thus the critical Rotten Tomatoes score more “accurate.”

Or at least that’s what Rotten Tomatoes thinks. The site displays a movie’s critics’ scores — the official Tomatometer — at Fandango and in a more prominent spot on the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes landing page. The audience score is also displayed on the Rotten Tomatoes page, but it’s not factored into the film’s fresh or rotten rating, and doesn’t contribute to a film being labeled as “certified fresh.”

Why do critics often get frustrated by the Tomatometer?

The biggest reason many critics find Rotten Tomatoes frustrating is that most people’s opinions about movies can’t be boiled down to a simple thumbs up or down. And most critics feel that Rotten Tomatoes, in particular, oversimplifies criticism, to the detriment of critics, the audience, and the movies themselves.

In some cases, a film really is almost universally considered to be excellent, or to be a complete catastrophe. But critics usually come away from a movie with a mixed view. Some things work, and others don’t. The actors are great, but the screenplay is lacking. The filmmaking is subpar, but the story is imaginative. Some critics use a four- or five-star rating, sometimes with half-stars included, to help quantify mixed opinions as mostly negative or mostly positive.

The important point here is that no critic who takes their job seriously is going to have a simple yes-or-no system for most movies. Critics watch a film, think about it, and write a review that doesn't just judge the movie but analyzes, contextualizes, and ruminates over it. The fear among many critics (including myself) is that people who rely largely on Rotten Tomatoes aren't interested in the nuances of a film, and aren't particularly interested in reading criticism, either.

But maybe the bigger reason critics are worried about the influence of review aggregators is that they seem to imply there's a “right” way to evaluate a movie, based on most people's opinions. We worry that audience members who have different reactions will feel as if their opinion is somehow wrong, rather than seeing the diversity of opinions as an invitation to read and understand how and why people react to art differently.

Plenty of movies — from Psycho to Fight Club to Alien — would have earned a rotten rating from Rotten Tomatoes upon their original release, only to be reconsidered and deemed classics years later as tastes, preferences, and ideas about films changed. Sometimes being an outlier can just mean you're forward-thinking.

Voris, the Rotten Tomatoes vice president, told me that the site is always trying to grapple with this quandary. “The Rotten Tomatoes curation team is constantly adding and updating reviews for films — both past and present,” he told me. “If there’s a review available from an approved critic or outlet, it will be added.”

What critics are worried about is a tendency toward groupthink, and toward scapegoating people who deviate from the “accepted” analysis. You can easily see this in the hordes of fans that sometimes come after a critic who dares to “ruin” a film's perfect score . But critics (at least serious ones) don't write their reviews to fit the Tomatometer, nor are they out to “get” DC Comics movies or religious movies or political movies or any other movies. Critics love movies and want them to be good, and we try to be honest when we see one that we don't measures up.

That doesn't mean the audience can't like a movie with a rotten rating, or hate a movie with a fresh rating. It's no insult to critics when audience opinion diverges. In fact, it makes talking and thinking about movies more interesting.

If critics are ambivalent about Rotten Tomatoes scores, why do moviegoers use the scores to decide whether to see a movie?

Mainly, it’s easy. You’re buying movie tickets on Fandango, or you’re trying to figure out what to watch on Netflix, so you check the Rotten Tomatoes score to decide. It’s simple. That’s the point.

And that’s not a bad thing. It's helpful to get a quick sense of critical consensus, even if it's somewhat imprecise. Many people use Rotten Tomatoes to get a rough idea of whether critics generally liked a film.

The flip side, though, is that some people, whether they’re critics or audience members, will inevitably have opinions that don't track with the Rotten Tomatoes score at all. Just because an individual's opinion is out of step with the Tomatometer doesn't mean the person is “wrong” — it just means they're an outlier.

And that, frankly, is what makes art, entertainment, and the world at large interesting: Not everyone has the same opinion about everything, because people are not exact replicas of one another. Most critics love arguing about movies, because they often find that disagreeing with their colleagues is what makes their job fun. It's fine to disagree with others about a movie, and it doesn't mean you're “wrong.”

(For what it’s worth, another review aggregation site, Metacritic, maintains an even smaller and more exclusive group of critics than Rotten Tomatoes — its aggregated scores cap out around 50 reviews per movie, instead of the hundreds that can make up a Tomatometer score. Metacritic’s score for a film is different from Rotten Tomatoes’ insofar as each individual review is assigned a rating on a scale of 100 and the overall Metacritic score is a weighted average, the mechanics of which Metacritic absolutely refuses to divulge . But because the site’s ratings are even more carefully controlled to include only experienced professional critics — and because the reviews it aggregates are given a higher level of granularity, and presumably weighted by the perceived influence of the critic’s publication — most critics consider Metacritic a better gauge of critical opinion.)

Does a movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score affect its box office earnings?

The short version: It can, but not necessarily in the ways you might think.

A good Rotten Tomatoes score indicates strong critical consensus, and that can be good for smaller films in particular. It’s common for distributors to roll out such films slowly, opening them in a few key cities (usually New York and Los Angeles, and maybe a few others) to generate good buzz — not just from critics, but also on social media and through word of mouth. The result, they hope, is increased interest and ticket sales when the movie opens in other cities.

Get Out , for example, certainly profited from the 99 percent “fresh” score it earned since its limited opening. And the more recent The Big Sick became one of last summer's most beloved films, helped along by its 98 percent rating. But a bad score for a small film can help ensure that it will close quickly, or play in fewer cities overall. Its potential box office earnings, in turn, will inevitably take a hit.

Yet when it comes to blockbusters, franchises, and other big studio films (which usually open in many cities at once), it’s much less clear how much a film’s Rotten Tomatoes score affects its box office tally. A good Rotten Tomatoes score, for example, doesn't necessarily guarantee a film will be a hit. Atomic Blonde is “guaranteed fresh,” with a 77 percent rating, but it didn‘t do very well at the box office despite being an action film starring Charlize Theron.

Still, studios certainly seem to believe the score makes a difference . Last summer, studios blamed Rotten Tomatoes scores (and by extension, critics) when poorly reviewed movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales , Baywatch , and The Mummy performed below expectations at the box office. ( Pirates still went on to be the year’s 19th highest-grossing film.)

2017’s highest grossing movies in the US

But that correlation doesn’t really hold up. The Emoji Movie , for example, was critically panned, garnering an abysmal 6 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. But it still opened to $25 million in the US, which put it just behind the acclaimed Christopher Nolan film Dunkirk . And the more you think about it, the less surprising it is that plenty of people bought tickets to The Emoji Movie in spite of its bad press: It's an animated movie aimed at children that faced virtually no theatrical competition, and it opened during the summer, when kids are out of school. Great reviews might have inflated its numbers, but almost universally negative ones didn't seem to hurt it much.

It's also worth noting that many films with low Rotten Tomatoes scores that also perform poorly in the US (like The Mummy or The Great Wall ) do just fine overseas, particularly in China. The Mummy gave Tom Cruise his biggest global opening ever . If there is a Rotten Tomatoes effect, it seems to only extend to the American market.

Without any consistent proof, why do people still maintain that a bad Rotten Tomatoes score actively hurts a movie at the box office?

While it’s clear that a film’s Rotten Tomatoes score and box office earnings aren't correlated as strongly as movie studios might like you to think, blaming bad ticket sales on critics is low-hanging fruit.

Plenty of people would like you to believe that the weak link between box office earnings and critical opinion proves that critics are at fault for not liking the film, and that audiences are a better gauge of its quality. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, co-star of Baywatch , certainly took that position when reviews of the 2017 bomb Baywatch came out:

Oh boy, critics had their venom & knives ready . Fans LOVE the movie. Huge positive scores. Big disconnect w/ critics & people. #Baywatch https://t.co/K0AQPf6F0S — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 26, 2017

Baywatch ended up with a very comfortably rotten 19 percent Tomatometer score , compared to a just barely fresh 62 percent audience score. But with apologies to The Rock, who I’m sure is a very nice man, critics aren't weather forecasters or pundits, and they’re not particularly interested in predicting how audiences will respond to a movie. (We are also a rather reserved and nerdy bunch, not regularly armed with venom and knives.) Critics show up where they’re told to show up and watch a film, then go home and evaluate it to the best of their abilities.

The obvious rejoinder, at least from a critic’s point of view, is that if Baywatch was a better movie, there wouldn’t be such a disconnect. But somehow, I suspect that younger ticket buyers — an all-important demographic — lacked nostalgia for 25-year-old lifeguard TV show, and thus weren't so sure about seeing Baywatch in the first place. Likewise, I doubt that a majority of Americans were ever going to be terribly interested in the fifth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (which notched a 30 percent Tomatometer score and a 64 percent audience score), especially when they could just watch some other movie.

A pile-up of raves for either of these films might have resulted in stronger sales, because people could have been surprised to learn that a film they didn’t think they were interested in was actually great. But with lackluster reviews, the average moviegoer just had no reason to give them a chance.

Big studio publicists, however, are paid to convince people to see their films, not to candidly discuss the quality of the films themselves. So when a film with bad reviews flops at the box office, it’s not shocking that studios are quick to suggest that critics killed it.

How do movie studios try to blunt the perceived impact when they’re expecting a bad Rotten Tomatoes score?

Of late, some studios — prompted by the idea that critics can kill a film’s buzz before it even comes out — have taken to “ fighting back ” when they’re expecting a rotten Tomatometer score.

Their biggest strategy isn’t super obvious to the average moviegoer, but very clear to critics. When a studio suspects it has a lemon on its hands, it typically hosts the press screening only a day or two ahead of the film's release, and then sets a review “embargo” that lifts a few hours before the film hits theaters.

Consider, for example, the case of the aforementioned Emoji Movie . I and most other critics hoped the movie would be good, as is the case with all movies see. But once the screening invitations arrived in our inboxes, we pretty much knew, with a sinking feeling, that it wouldn’t be. The tell was pretty straightforward: The film’s only critics' screening in New York was scheduled for the day before it opened. It screened for press on Wednesday night at 5 pm, and then the review embargo lifted at 3 pm the next day — mere hours before the first public showtimes.

Late critics’ screenings for any given film mean that reviews of the film will necessarily come out very close to its release, and as a result, people purchasing advance tickets might buy them before there are any reviews or Tomatometer score to speak of. Thus, in spite of there being no strong correlation between negative reviews and a low box office, its first-weekend box returns might be less susceptible to any potential harm as a result of bad press. (Such close timing can also backfire; critics liked this summer's Captain Underpants , for example, but the film was screened too late for the positive reviews to measurably boost its opening box office.)

That first-weekend number is important, because if a movie is the top performer at the box office (or if it simply exceeds expectations, like Dunkirk and Wonder Woman did this summer), its success can function as good advertising for the film, which means its second weekend sales may also be stronger. And that matters , particularly when it means a movie is outperforming its expectations, because it can actually shift the way industry executives think about what kinds of movies people want to watch. Studios do keep an eye on critics’ opinions, but they’re much more interested in ticket sales — which makes it easy to see why they don’t want risk having their opening weekend box office affected by bad reviews, whether there’s a proven correlation or not.

The downside of this strategy, however, is that it encourages critics to instinctively gauge a studio’s level of confidence in a film based on when the press screening takes place. 20th Century Fox, for instance, screened War for the Planet of the Apes weeks ahead of its theatrical release, and lifted the review embargo with plenty of time to spare before the movie came out. The implication was that Fox believed the movie would be a critical success, and indeed, it was — the movie has a 97 percent Tomatometer score and an 86 percent audience score.

And still, late press screenings fail to account for the fact that, while a low Rotten Tomatoes score doesn’t necessarily hurt a film’s total returns, aggregate review scores in general do have a distinct effect on second-weekend sales. In 2016, Metacritic conducted a study of the correlation between its scores and second weekend sales , and found — not surprisingly — that well-reviewed movies dip much less in the second weekend than poorly reviewed movies. This is particularly true of movies with a strong built-in fan base, like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice , which enjoyed inflated box office returns in the first weekend because fans came out to see it, but dropped sharply in its second weekend, at least partly due to extremely negative press .

Most critics who are serious about their work make a good-faith effort to approach each film they see with as few expectations as possible. But it's hard to have much hope about a movie when it seems obvious that a studio is trying to play keep-away with it. And the more studios try to game the system by withholding their films from critics, the less critics are inclined to enter a screening devoid of expectations, however subconscious.

If you ask critics what studios ought to do to minimize the potential impact of a low Rotten Tomatoes score, their answer is simple: Make better movies. But of course, it’s not that easy; some movies with bad scores do well, while some with good scores still flop. Hiding a film from critics might artificially inflate first-weekend box office returns, but plenty of people are going to go see a franchise film, or a superhero movie, or a family movie, no matter what critics say.

The truth is that neither Rotten Tomatoes nor the critics whose evaluations make up its scores are really at fault here, and it’s silly to act like that’s the case. The website is just one piece of the sprawling and often bewildering film landscape.

As box office analyst Scott Mendelson wrote at Forbes :

[Rotten Tomatoes] is an aggregate website, one with increased power because the media now uses the fresh ranking as a catch-all for critical consensus, with said percentage score popping up when you buy tickets from Fandango or rent the title on Google Market. But it is not magic. At worst, the increased visibility of the site is being used as an excuse by ever-pickier moviegoers to stay in with Netflix or VOD.

For audience members who want to make good moviegoing decisions, the best approach is a two-pronged one. First, check Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic to get a sense of critical consensus. But second, find a few critics — two or three will do — whose taste aligns with (or challenges) your own, and whose insights help you enjoy a movie even more. Read them and rely on them.

And know that it’s okay to form your own opinions, too. After all, in the bigger sense, everyone’s a critic.

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What Does the Popcorn Mean on Movie Ratings?

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Whether you’re a movie buff or just an occasional viewer, chances are you’ve seen the ubiquitous popcorn symbol that often accompanies movie ratings. But have you ever stopped to wonder what this symbol actually means? This article seeks to explore the meaning behind movie ratings and the significance of the popcorn symbol.

Exploring the Meaning Behind Movie Ratings and Popcorn Symbols

Movie ratings are an important factor when it comes to deciding which films to watch. From G-rated films suitable for all ages to R-rated films intended solely for adults, each rating tells viewers something about the content of the film. But what do those ratings really mean?

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is responsible for assigning ratings to films in the United States. According to the MPAA, films are rated based on language, violence, drug use, nudity, and other factors. The ratings range from G (general audiences) to NC-17 (no one 17 and under admitted).

But what is the significance of the popcorn symbol? While movie ratings provide information about the content of a film, the popcorn symbol is used to indicate whether or not a movie is worth watching. In other words, the symbol is meant to be an indicator of quality.

What Do Those Popcorn Ratings Really Mean?

The popcorn symbol is often used to denote a film’s “popcorn value” or entertainment quality. In other words, the symbol is meant to signify whether or not a film is entertaining and enjoyable. However, the symbol has been criticized by some as being overly simplistic and subjective.

According to a study published in the journal Psychology & Marketing, the popcorn symbol can influence movie ratings. The study found that movies with the popcorn symbol were more likely to receive higher ratings than movies without it.

But does the popcorn symbol accurately reflect the quality of a movie? Not necessarily. The symbol is often based on personal opinion and may not accurately reflect the actual quality of a film.

Movie Ratings: What Does the Popcorn Symbol Represent?

So what does the popcorn symbol signify in terms of movie ratings? According to the MPAA, the symbol is meant to represent a film’s entertainment value, but it should not be used as a substitute for ratings. The symbol is simply meant to provide additional information about a film.

Is the popcorn symbol used as an indicator of quality? Again, not necessarily. The symbol is often based on personal opinion, which can vary greatly from person to person.

Unpacking the Significance of the Popcorn Symbol in Movie Ratings

How does the popcorn symbol affect moviegoers’ decisions? A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that the symbol can influence viewers’ decisions when it comes to selecting a movie. The study found that viewers were more likely to choose a movie if it had the popcorn symbol.

What other factors influence movie ratings? There are many other factors that can influence a movie’s rating, such as the quality of the acting, the story, the cinematography, and the special effects. These factors can significantly impact a movie’s overall rating.

Decoding the Popcorn Symbol – What Does it Mean for Moviegoers?

What should moviegoers take into consideration when evaluating movies? While the popcorn symbol can provide some insight into a film’s entertainment value, it should not be used as the sole basis for making a decision. Moviegoers should also consider other factors, such as the reviews from critics and fellow viewers.

Should moviegoers rely solely on the popcorn symbol when making their decision? No. While the symbol can be useful, it should not be the only factor considered when making a decision. Moviegoers should also read reviews, watch trailers, and consider other factors before making their choice.

A Closer Look at the Popcorn Symbol and Its Role in Movie Ratings

What is the importance of the popcorn symbol in movie ratings? The symbol is meant to provide additional information about a film’s entertainment value, but it should not be used as a substitute for ratings. The symbol is simply meant to provide viewers with additional information.

How can moviegoers use the popcorn symbol to make more informed decisions? Moviegoers can use the symbol as one piece of the puzzle when deciding which movies to watch. However, they should also consider reviews, trailers, and other factors before making their choice.

In conclusion, the popcorn symbol is often used as an indicator of quality when it comes to movie ratings. The symbol can influence moviegoers’ decisions and provide them with additional information about a film’s entertainment value. However, the symbol should not be used as the sole basis for making a decision. Moviegoers should also consider reviews, trailers, and other factors before making their choice.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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What Does the Tomato and Popcorn Mean on Peacock

What Does the Tomato and Popcorn Mean on Peacock: 9 Interesting Facts

Peacock, the popular streaming service, has gained considerable attention for its unique rating system. Instead of the traditional star rating, Peacock utilizes a tomato and popcorn symbol to denote the quality of a movie or TV show. If you’re wondering what these symbols mean and how they are determined, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore the significance of the tomato and popcorn symbols on Peacock, along with some interesting facts surrounding this rating system.

1. Tomato Symbol:

The tomato symbol on Peacock represents positive reviews for a particular movie or TV show. It signifies that a substantial number of critics and viewers have given favorable feedback, indicating a high-quality production. This symbol is inspired by the popular review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Popcorn Symbol:

On the other hand, the popcorn symbol on Peacock denotes popular and highly entertaining content. It represents a significant level of audience engagement and interest, indicating that a particular movie or TV show has captivated viewers across the platform.

3. Determining Factors:

Peacock’s rating system is not solely based on reviews or popularity. The algorithm takes into account various factors, including audience feedback, critical response, engagement metrics, and watching patterns, to determine the tomato and popcorn ratings for each title.

4. Algorithmic Analysis:

Peacock employs advanced algorithms to analyze data and identify patterns in viewership and engagement. This analysis helps the platform understand viewers’ preferences and recommend content that aligns with their interests.

5. Timely Updates:

Peacock’s rating system is dynamic and constantly updated. The tomato and popcorn ratings may change over time as new reviews, feedback, and viewer data are considered. Therefore, it’s essential to check the current ratings before choosing what to watch.

6. A Fresh Take:

The tomato and popcorn symbols offer a fresh perspective on content quality, allowing users to make informed decisions based on the opinions of both critics and the general audience. This approach provides a comprehensive view of a title’s worth and ensures a diversified range of recommendations.

7. User Reviews and Recommendations:

Peacock encourages users to leave reviews and ratings for the content they watch. These user-generated reviews contribute to the overall rating system, offering a more inclusive and community-driven approach to evaluating movies and TV shows.

8. Genre-Specific Ratings:

Peacock tailors its rating system to specific genres, recognizing that different audiences may have distinct preferences. This approach ensures that ratings accurately reflect the quality and entertainment value of various types of content, from comedy to drama and everything in between.

9. Content Variety:

Peacock’s vast library of movies and TV shows ensures a wide range of ratings, giving users the opportunity to explore and discover content that suits their taste. With the tomato and popcorn symbols, users can easily identify highly acclaimed and popular titles within their preferred genres.

Common Questions:

1. Can I trust the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock?

Yes, Peacock’s rating system is designed to provide reliable insights into the quality and popularity of content based on various metrics.

2. How often are the ratings updated?

The ratings are updated regularly to ensure they reflect the latest feedback, reviews, and viewing patterns.

3. Do the tomato and popcorn ratings influence the content available on Peacock?

While the ratings do not directly impact content availability, they help users make informed choices by highlighting highly acclaimed and popular titles.

4. Are the ratings influenced by sponsored content or advertising?

No, Peacock’s rating system remains unbiased and independent from any advertising or sponsored content considerations.

5. Are the tomato and popcorn ratings similar to Rotten Tomatoes’ ratings?

The tomato symbol on Peacock is inspired by Rotten Tomatoes, but the algorithms and data analysis used by Peacock are unique to its platform.

6. Can users contribute to the ratings?

Yes, users can leave reviews and ratings for the content they watch, which contribute to the overall rating system.

7. What if a movie or TV show has a tomato rating but not a popcorn rating, or vice versa?

This indicates that the content may be critically acclaimed but might not have garnered significant popularity, or it could be highly popular but not critically acclaimed.

8. Are the tomato and popcorn ratings available for all titles on Peacock?

Yes, the ratings are available for most movies and TV shows on the platform, allowing users to easily identify highly regarded and popular content.

9. How can I find the ratings for a specific title on Peacock?

The tomato and popcorn ratings are prominently displayed on the content’s detail page, making it easy for users to assess its quality and popularity.

10. Can I filter content based on the tomato and popcorn ratings?

Peacock does not currently offer a filtering option based on tomato and popcorn ratings alone. However, users can sort content by popularity or explore curated recommendations.

11. Are there plans to expand the rating system beyond tomato and popcorn symbols?

While there haven’t been any official announcements, Peacock may consider expanding the rating system in the future based on user feedback and evolving preferences.

12. Do the ratings consider international content?

Yes, Peacock’s rating system is inclusive of international movies and TV shows, ensuring a diverse range of recommendations for users.

13. Can I change my rating for a title?

Currently, Peacock does not allow users to modify their ratings once submitted.

14. Are there any age-specific ratings on Peacock?

Peacock provides parental controls and content filters to help users limit access to age-inappropriate content, but it does not offer specific age ratings for titles.

15. Do the ratings affect content recommendations?

Peacock’s recommendation algorithm considers various factors, including ratings, to suggest content that aligns with users’ preferences.

16. Are there plans to integrate the tomato and popcorn ratings with other streaming platforms?

Peacock’s rating system is currently exclusive to its platform, and there haven’t been any indications of plans for integration with other streaming services.

17. Can I access Peacock’s rating system without a subscription?

Some basic information about ratings may be available without a subscription, but to fully utilize Peacock’s features, including ratings, a subscription is required.

In summary, Peacock’s unique tomato and popcorn rating system offers users a comprehensive view of content quality and popularity. By combining critical reviews, user ratings, and advanced algorithms, Peacock provides a reliable and engaging way to explore its vast library of movies and TV shows. The tomato and popcorn symbols serve as valuable indicators, helping users discover highly acclaimed and popular titles within their preferred genres.

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What do tomatoes and popcorn mean on movies?

A red tomato means the movie received positive reviews. A splattered green tomato means the movies has been negatively reviewed. The popcorn images are from Flixster, the full popcorn container means the audience generally liked the movie. The spilled popcorn container means audiences didn’t find the movie More.

What do tomatoes mean in movies?

A red tomato score indicating its fresh status, is designated when at least 60% of the reviews are positive. A green splat indicating rotten status, is displayed when less than 60% of the reviews are positive. If there is no score available, it usually just means the movie or show hasn’t been released or there aren’t enough reviews yet.

You should be asking “What do tomatoes mean in movie ratings?”

This is what I found. when at least 60% of reviews for a movie or TV show are positive, a red tomato is displayed to indicate its Fresh status. When less than 60% of reviews for a movie or TV show are positive, a green splat is displayed to indicate its Rotten status.

What is the meaning of the tomatoes in the movie popcorn?

Percentage of critics and audience members who liked the movie; Red tomato means movie got positive reviews Splattered green tomato means The tomatoes and popcorn are related to the cultural way to represent something that is good or bad.

Some sources claimed a splattered green tomato means the movies has been negatively reviewed. The popcorn images are from Flixster, the full popcorn container means the audience generally liked the movie. The spilled popcorn container means audiences didn’t find the movie appealing.

Tomatoes = critics. Popcorn = audience. This was useful info! Was this comment helpful? Yes | No 87% Helpful What do the tomato and popcorn icons stand for? What do the icons mean next to the movies title , such as the tomato and the bag of popcorn? What are the tomato and popcorn box symbols in info?

Popcorn means the movie got postive response red tomatoes means positive . Source: What do the popcorn and tomatoes symbols mean on direct tv ratings? Was this answer helpful?

A question we ran across in our research was “What is the difference between red tomato and popcorn?”.

You see, red tomato is rotten tomatos review; red tomato=positive, splattered= negative. Popcorn means flixster review; popcorn=positive, tipped over popcorn= negative .

What do the Tomatometer and Rotten Tomatoes mean?

Here’s what they mean. The Tomatometer is a “ Fresh ” critic rating – a high 60% minimum overall rating and reviews from at least 40 critics. Is a “Rotten” critic rating 59% or less positive. (That’s not an asterisk it’s a green tomato that’s gone splat!).

This begs the question “What does the Rotten Tomatoes rating mean?”

I learned as the reviews of a given film accumulate, the Rotten Tomatoes score measures the percentage that are more positive than negative, and assigns an overall fresh or rotten rating to the movie. Scores of over 60 percent are considered fresh, and scores of 59 percent and under are rotten.

You might be thinking “Where did the term Rotten Tomatoes come from?”

One way to consider this is although the name “Rotten Tomatoes” connects to the practice of audiences throwing rotten tomatoes when disapproving of a poor stage performance, the original inspiration comes from a scene featuring tomatoes in the Canadian film Léolo (1992).

What is Rotten Tomatoes used for?

Rotten Tomatoes and the Tomatometer score are the world’s most trusted recommendation resources for quality entertainment . As the leading online aggregator of movie and TV show reviews from critics, we provide fans with a comprehensive guide to what’s Fresh – and what’s Rotten – in theaters and at home.

What is a tomatometer rating?

The Tomatometer is a “ Fresh ” critic rating – a high 60% minimum overall rating and reviews from at least 40 critics. Is a “Rotten” critic rating 59% or less positive. (That’s not an asterisk it’s a green tomato that’s gone splat!) means less than a 59% positive score (less than 3.5 star) from audiences at Flixter and Rotten Tomatoes.

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What those tomato & asterisk icons mean next to movies on comcast's x1 xfinity.

What does the tomato and popcorn mean on Peacock?

The meaning of tomato and popcorn on peacock.

The tomato and popcorn symbols on the Peacock streaming platform are used to rate movies and TV shows. These symbols are a way for viewers to express their opinion on the content they are watching. The tomato symbol, which is similar to the Certified Fresh logo on Rotten Tomatoes, signifies that a movie or TV show has received positive reviews from critics. On the other hand, the popcorn symbol is an indicator of audience approval. When a viewer gives a movie or TV show a popcorn rating, it means that they enjoyed it. These symbols provide a quick and easy way for Peacock users to gauge the overall reception of a particular piece of content.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tomato and Popcorn Ratings on Peacock

What do the tomato and popcorn ratings mean on peacock.

The tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock are indicators of critical and audience approval, respectively. The tomato symbol represents positive reviews from critics, while the popcorn symbol reflects audience enjoyment.

How are the tomato and popcorn ratings determined on Peacock?

The tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock are determined based on the aggregated ratings and reviews from critics and viewers, respectively. The higher the percentage of positive reviews, the higher the rating of the content.

Can I trust the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock?

While the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock can provide a general idea of the reception of a movie or TV show, it’s important to remember that individual tastes may vary. It’s always a good idea to read the actual reviews and ratings to get a fuller picture.

Do all movies and TV shows on Peacock have tomato and popcorn ratings?

Not all movies and TV shows on Peacock have tomato and popcorn ratings. Some content may not have enough reviews to generate a rating, or it may not be eligible for ratings due to various reasons.

Are the tomato and popcorn ratings updated regularly on Peacock?

Yes, the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock are updated regularly to reflect new reviews and ratings from critics and viewers. This ensures that the ratings remain relevant and up to date.

How can I use the tomato and popcorn ratings to choose what to watch on Peacock?

You can use the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock to help you make decisions about which movies and TV shows to watch. If a content has a high popcorn rating and a favorable tomato rating, it’s likely to be well-received by both critics and audiences.

Do tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock influence the content available on the platform?

The tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock do not directly influence the content available on the platform. However, they can provide valuable feedback to the creators and producers of the content.

Can I leave my own tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock?

Yes, Peacock allows users to leave their own tomato and popcorn ratings for movies and TV shows. This helps to contribute to the overall ratings and provides valuable feedback for other users.

Is there a minimum number of reviews required for a tomato or popcorn rating to appear on Peacock?

Yes, Peacock requires a minimum number of reviews and ratings for a tomato or popcorn rating to appear. This ensures that the ratings are based on a substantial amount of feedback.

What do I do if I disagree with a tomato or popcorn rating on Peacock?

If you disagree with a tomato or popcorn rating on Peacock, you can always leave your own rating and review to contribute to the overall feedback. Additionally, you can read the individual reviews to gain more insight.

Are there any other rating systems used on Peacock besides tomato and popcorn?

In addition to the tomato and popcorn ratings, Peacock also provides other indicators of content reception, such as audience ratings and user reviews. These additional ratings can offer more comprehensive insight.

About Rachel Bannarasee

Rachael grew up in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai until she was seven when her parents moved to the US. Her father was in the Oil Industry while her mother ran a successful restaurant. Now living in her father's birthplace Texas, she loves to develop authentic, delicious recipes from her culture but mix them with other culinary influences. When she isn't cooking or writing about it, she enjoys exploring the United States, one state at a time. She lives with her boyfriend Steve and their two German Shepherds, Gus and Wilber.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Why do we eat popcorn at the movies.

The movie theater’s most popular concession wasn’t always associated with the movies—in fact, it used to be explicitly banned

Natasha Geiling

Movie theater popcorn is a concession stand staple whose scent has spawned  marketing ploys  and  copycat recipes , but movie theaters haven't always been saturated with the tempting smell of salt and butter. The history of popcorn is vast, and it intersects with movies in the relatively recent past–a symbiosis of taste and place created to save the fledgling movie theater industry from near collapse during the Great Depression.

About 8,000 years ago, maize was cultivated from  teosinte , a wild grass that doesn't look much like the modern corn we know today. Popcorn–a name mostly associated with puffed kernels of corn–is actually a strain of corn, characterized by especially starchy kernels with hard kernel walls, which help internal pressure build when placed over heat. It was one of the first variations of maize cultivated in Central America. "Popcorn went north and it went south, but as far as I can see, it really only survived in South America," says Andrew Smith, author of  Popped Culture: A Social History of Popcorn . Eventually, trade and commerce brought the unique kernels northward. "Most likely, North American whalers went to Chile, found varieties of popcorn, picked them up and thought that they were cute, and brought them back to New England in the early 19th century," Smith explains.

After popcorn made its way to the eastern part of North America, it spread rapidly. Eaters found the act of popping corn wildly  entertaining , and by 1848, popcorn, the snack food, was prevalent enough to be  included in  the  Dictionary of Americanisms . Popcorn had literally exploded onto the scene and was available everywhere—especially at entertainment sites like circuses and fairs. In fact, there was really only one entertainment site where the snack was absent: the theaters.

One reason for popcorn's increasing popularity was its mobility: in 1885, the first steam-powered popcorn maker hit the streets, invented by  Charles Cretor . The mobile nature of the machine made it the perfect production machine for serving patrons attending outdoor sporting events, or circuses and fairs. Not only was popcorn mobile, but it could be mass-produced without a kitchen, an advantage that another crunchy snack—the potato chip—lacked (the earliest potato chips were made in  small batches  in kitchens, not ideal for mass snack appeal). Another reason for its dominance over other snacks was its appealing aroma when popped, something that street vendors used to their advantage when selling popcorn. Still, movie theaters wouldn’t allow the popular street snack into their auditoriums.

"Movie theaters wanted nothing to do with popcorn," Smith says, "because they were trying to duplicate what was done in real theaters. They had beautiful carpets and rugs and didn't want popcorn being ground into it." Movie theaters were trying to appeal to a highbrow clientele, and didn't want to deal with the distracting trash of concessions—or the distracting noise that snacking during a film would create.

When films added sound in 1927, the movie theater industry opened itself up to a much wider clientele, since literacy was no longer required to attend films (the titles used early silent films restricted their audience). By 1930, attendance to movie theaters had reached  90 million  per week. Such a huge patronage created larger possibilities for profits—especially since the sound pictures now muffled snacks—but movie theater owners were still hesitant to bring snacks inside of their theaters.

The Great Depression presented an excellent opportunity for both movies and popcorn. Looking for a cheap diversion, audiences flocked to the movies. And at 5 to 10 cents a bag, popcorn was a luxury that most people were able to afford. Popcorn kernels themselves were a cheap investment for purveyors, and a $10 bag could last for years. If those inside the theaters couldn't see the financial lure of popcorn, enterprising street vendors didn't miss a beat: they bought their own popping machines and sold popcorn outside the theaters to moviegoers before they entered the theater. As Smith explains, early movie theaters literally had signs hung outside their coatrooms, requesting that patrons check their popcorn with their coats. Popcorn, it seems, was the original clandestine movie snack.

Beyond wanting to maintain appearances, early movie theaters weren't built to accommodate the first popcorn machines; the theaters lacked proper ventilation. But as more and more customers came to the theater with popcorn in hand, owners couldn't ignore the financial appeal of selling the snack. So they leased "lobby privileges" to vendors, allowing them to sell their popcorn in the lobby of their theater (or more likely on a bit of street in front of the theater) for a daily fee. Vendors didn't complain about this arrangement—selling popcorn outside the theater widened their business potential, as they could sell to both moviegoers and people on the street.

Eventually, movie theater owners realized that if they cut out the middleman, their profits would skyrocket.  For many theaters, the transition to selling snacks helped save them from the crippling Depression. In the mid-1930s, the movie theater business started to go under. "But those that began serving popcorn and other snacks," Smith explains, "survived." Take, for example, a Dallas movie theater chain that installed popcorn machines in  80 theaters , but refused to install machines in their five best theaters, which they considered too high class to sell popcorn. In two years, the theaters with popcorn saw their profits soar; the five theaters without popcorn watched their profits go into the red. Eventually, movie theater owners came to understand that concessions were their ticket to higher profits, and installed concession stands in their theaters.

World War II further solidified the marriage between popcorn and the movie theaters. Competing snacks like candy and soda suffered from sugar shortages and in turn, rationing, as traditional sugar exporters like the Philippines were cut off from the United States.

By 1945, popcorn and the movies were inextricably bound:  over half  of the popcorn consumed in America was eaten at the movie theaters. Theaters began pushing advertisements for their concessions harder, debuting commercials that played before (and sometimes in the middle of) movies that enticed audiences to check out the snacks in the lobby. Maybe the most famous of these is " Let’s All Go to the Lobby ," a 40-second advertisement that debuted in 1957.

In 2000, the advertisement was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the  United States National Film Registry  due to its cultural and historical value.

But for all their marketing ploys, movie theaters saw their popcorn sales steadily decrease into the 1960s. The culprit was a new technology, the television, which lessened the need to go out to the movies. "The popcorn industry sags in the '50s as Americans begin to watch more and more television and go less and less to movie theaters," Smith says.

Popcorn wasn't widely eaten in homes, mostly due to how difficult it was to make: consumers needed a popper, oil, butter, salt and other ingredients to replicate their favorite movie theater snack at home. To ease this burden, one commercial product, EZ Pop,  marketed itself  as an all inclusive popcorn maker–simply move the container over a heat source, and the popcorn pops, completely flavored. After EZ Pop came  Jiffy Pop , a famous at-home popcorn product that used the same "all-in-one" philosophy. By making popcorn an easy-to-make snack, commercial popcorn products were able to gain a foothold in the home. In the 1970s, microwave ovens become increasingly common in homes, creating another boom for popcorn: now, families can enjoy popcorn in minutes simply by pressing a button.

As popcorn re-entered the home, traditional associations of popcorn and movies, or popcorn and entertainment, persisted. Nordmende, a German electronics company, even used popcorn to advertise its microwave, purporting it to be a " sponsor of the midweek movie ."

Nowadays, the popcorn industry attaches itself to our home movie nights in a very direct way, through commercials that directly  engage with popular films  or " movie theater " styles of microwave popcorn that market themselves as a direct replica of the beloved theater snack.

But the relationship between popcorn and the movies has changed more than the smell of a theater lobby or the at-home movie night: it's changed the popcorn industry itself. Before the Great Depression, most popcorn sold was a white corn variety–yellow corn wasn't widely commercially grown, and cost twice as much as the white variety. Movie vendors, however,  preferred yellow corn , which expanded more when it popped (creating more volume for less product) and had a yellowish tint that gave the impression of a coating of butter. People became accustomed to the yellow popcorn and would refuse to buy the white variety at markets, requesting the kind that looked like " the popcorn at the movies ." Today, white popcorn accounts for  10 percent  of commercially grown popcorn; yellow popcorn takes up almost the rest of the commercial market (with some color varieties, like blue and black, grown in negligible amounts).

Popcorn is just as economically important to the modern movie theater as it was to movie theaters of old. Patrons often complain about the high prices of movie concessions, but there's an economic basis for this: popcorn, cheap to make and easy to mark-up, is the primary profit maker for movie theaters. Movie theaters make an  estimated 85 percent profit  off of concession sales, and those sales constitute 46 percent of movie theater's overall profits.

And so the history of popcorn and the movies was written in stone—sort of. In recent years, luxury theaters have begun popping up around the country–and they're reinventing the popcorn-snack model. These theaters offer an old school approach to the movies, trying to make the experience of attending a movie theater tantamount to going to a live show (much like the earliest movie theater owners once tried to do). As Hamid Hashemi, the CEO of iPic Theaters, a luxury theater chain with nine locations, says, "Think about going to a live Broadway show—our movie theaters provide that kind of experience. The average time spent in the theater at our theaters is around four hours." iPic Theaters still provide popcorn to patrons, but their focus is on a more gourmet level of movie theater dining, offering a menu of larger, cooked items like sliders and flatbreads.

Even as the demand for luxury theaters increases, Hashemi doesn’t think popcorn will ever be phased out. "Popcorn is the cheapest thing you can make, and to a lot of people it has that ritualistic experience," he says, suggesting that for movie theater owners, a cheap snack never loses its golden appeal.  

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Natasha Geiling | | READ MORE

Natasha Geiling is an online reporter for Smithsonian magazine.

Why Do We Eat Popcorn at the Movies? The Crunchy History of Cinema's Favorite Snack

P opcorn has become synonymous with the movie-going experience. This light, fluffy snack has a long-standing tradition of being the companion of choice in darkened theaters. Its origins at the movies can be traced back to the Great Depression, when the inexpensive nature of popcorn made it a hit with patrons seeking entertainment on a budget. The ritual of eating popcorn during a film grew out of economic necessity and has remained a cultural mainstay ever since.

In the earliest days of cinema, movie theaters were seen as grand and sophisticated venues, which initially rejected the idea of food within their hallowed halls. However, with the advent of sound films and the subsequent increase in attendance, theater owners warmed up to the idea of selling popcorn as a way to boost revenue. The integration of  popcorn-making machines  into theater lobbies cemented popcorn’s role in the movie experience.

The habit of munching on popcorn while watching a movie has been carried on through generations, creating a cultural imprint around the world. Its prevalence at the movies isn’t just about taste; it’s a practice wrapped up in the nostalgia of cinema’s golden age. It has endured as a shared tradition that enhances the sensory experience of watching a film, from the sound of kernels popping to the aroma that fills the air, making it an integral part of movie culture.

Historical Popcorn Evolution

Popcorn’s transformation from a simple maize kernel to a beloved movie theater snack is a story that ties together centuries of history, economic shifts, and cultural adoption.

Origins of Popcorn

Popcorn originates from the Americas where it has been discovered that  indigenous peoples  in  South America  were amongst the first to cultivate and pop  corn kernels . Ancient  teosinte —a wild grass that is considered the ancestor of modern  maize —was likely used by Native Americans to create an early form of popcorn. Evidence in  Central America  dates back over 5,000 years when these civilisations recognised the value of popped  maize  both as food and as decoration.

Popcorn’s Journey to Theaters

The journey of  popcorn  to cinema houses wasn’t immediate. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it found its way to the public via  popcorn carts , which became fixtures on the streets and at circuses. It wasn’t until enterprising theater owners, looking to boost their revenues, began installing popcorn machines in their lobbies that the tradition of pairing popcorn with movies began to take hold. The Smithsonian Magazine provides insights into  popcorn’s economically significant role  in modern-day theaters as well.

The Great Depression and Snack Popularity

During the  Great Depression , the affordability of popcorn made it an accessible indulgence for people who couldn’t afford other types of entertainment. In tough economic times, this snack grew in popularity in theaters as it was seen as a small luxury and an essential part of the emerging  popped culture . Popcorn’s low cost and high-profit margin for theater owners solidified its place in  America  as the go-to movie snack. Serious Eats sheds light on  popcorn’s history  that aligns with economic trends and consumer habits.

Science Behind Popcorn

Popcorn is a fascinating snack with its own unique science. When heat is applied, corn kernels undergo a remarkable transformation, and the  variety of corn  used is crucial to the quality of the pop.

Why Popcorn Pops

Popcorn pops because each kernel of  corn  contains a tiny drop of  water  stored inside a circle of  starch . As the kernel  heats  up, the water expands, creating  steam-powered  pressure. When the hull can no longer contain the pressure, it  explodes , and the starch inside puffs out, flipping the kernel inside out and cooling immediately to form the popcorn we eat.

Varieties of Corn for Popping

Not all corn can pop. The best  varieties for popping  are specifically bred to have a high starch content and a strong hull that can withstand internal pressure. These  kernels  usually have a moisture content of about 13-14.5%, which is ideal to create enough steam for the kernel to explode effectively. Different strains of popcorn are cultivated for their popping efficiency and the size and shape of the final product.

Popcorn in the Cinema Industry

The aroma of  buttery popcorn  is virtually synonymous with the movie-going experience. This section explores the integral role of  popcorn  in cinemas’ economics and how it enhances the overall experience for moviegoers.

Introduction to Movie Theater Popcorn

Popcorn has become a hallmark  snack  for movie enthusiasts across the globe. Its introduction to  movie theaters  struck an exquisite harmony with the advent of “talkies,” as silent films gave way to movies with sound. Throughout the years, movie theater popcorn has remained a  domesticated  staple, serving not just as a snack but as part of the fabric of cinema tradition.

Economics of Concession Stands

In the realm of  concession stands , popcorn stands out as a high-margin item contributing significantly to profits. For many movie theaters, concessions, including popcorn, are economically crucial, as revenues from ticket sales are often split with film distributors, leaving a considerable portion of a theater’s  profits  to be derived from  concessions  sales. This symbiotic relationship keeps both the projectors rolling and the popcorn popping.

Popcorn and Moviegoer Experience

The coupling of popcorn with movies has ingrained itself in moviegoers’ cultural expectations. Stepping into the theater lobby, customers are greeted with the scent of freshly popped kernels, leading to an almost Pavlovian association between popcorn and entertainment. This ritual enhances patrons’ overall sensory experience, solidifying popcorn’s presence in cinemas as not merely a  snack  but a key part of the movie-watching ritual.

Cultural and Social Role of Popcorn

Popcorn has evolved beyond a snack, ingraining itself into movie-watching culture and social rituals. Its presence in theaters is as much a part of the film experience as the screening itself.

Popcorn as a Societal Staple

Popcorn’s journey from a simple grain to a cinema icon is a tale woven into the fabric of  social history . It became synonymous with movie-going during the Great Depression when affordable indulgences were in demand. Theaters, looking to boost revenues, started selling this  inexpensive snack , and it quickly became a hit for its appealing aroma and taste. The trend solidified during World War II when sugar rationing diminished the availability of candy, which made popcorn an even more attractive option. Today, sharing a bucket of popcorn is almost a  ritualistic experience  that complements the communal aspect of watching films.

Rituals and Traditions

The act of eating popcorn at the movies has become a tradition tied to the collective  culture  of the cinema experience. Families and friends often enjoy popcorn together, enhancing the social aspect of movie-viewing. Beyond the theater’s darkened room, popcorn has found its way into home movie nights and is a staple at film-related gatherings, uniting people in a shared, almost unconscious  ritual . This  tradition  has turned popcorn into a symbol of togetherness and enjoyment, a vehicle for creating memories during shared storytelling moments.

Modern Innovations and Influences

In the realm of cinema snacks, modern technology and cultural shifts continue to mold the experience of munching popcorn. From the innovative designs of  popcorn makers  to the impact of street vendors who add a local flair, the tradition of enjoying popcorn at the movies is being reshaped with each passing year. Educational media has recognized popcorn’s fascinating story, weaving it into learning experiences across platforms like  TED-Ed  and  PBS .

Popcorn Makers and Street Vendors

Popcorn makers  have evolved from simple stovetop devices like  Jiffy Pop  to sophisticated, electric machines that can churn out large quantities of popcorn with minimal effort. The presence of these machines has become a common fixture not just in movie theaters, but also at carnivals and fairs where  street vendors  adapt to incorporate them. These vendors often add their unique twist with a variety of flavors that reflect local tastes and traditions.

Popcorn in Media and Education

Popcorn’s journey from a simple snack to a movie theater staple is a story told through various media and educational outlets.  TED-Ed ‘s engaging  animations , produced by creative talents like Mitchelle Tamariz and narrated by voices like Addison Anderson and Salil Bhayani, bring popcorn’s history to life. These animations are not only informative, but their widespread reach has further solidified popcorn’s association with entertainment and learning. PBS has also contributed to this popcorn narrative, offering content that explores its scientific and cultural significance.

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Popcorn Reviews

Popcorn’s by no means a masterpiece—not even among its slasher kin—but it is absolutely an earnest love letter to midnight movie madness.

Full Review | Sep 14, 2022

The offbeat angle eventually gives way to standard slasher-film tropes. Fortunately, the movies-within-the-movie are imaginatively realized.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 22, 2021

The film's metafiction and sense of intertextuality with other horror movies, as well as the genre itself, really sells the entire horrific deal.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 1, 2019

Popcorn has a lot going for it. There are some solid performances, the films-within-the-film are witty pastiches of sci-fi and horror of previous years, and it's all done with a good-natured sense of fun.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Oct 15, 2018

An ingenious and spoofy little shocker that with knowing affection pays tribute to irresistibly schlocky vintage exploitation pix.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 20, 2013

It is the recreation of these old horror movies that provide Popcorn with its few inspired moments... Unhappily, the real movie proceeds in the interim.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jun 20, 2013

Popcorn seems to be a case of too many ideas; the basic story could probably have made a very effective short.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 20, 2013

While it's not campy or spoofy enough to be worth its salt, this campy, spoofy horror movie shows some ingenuity and generates an occasional controllable chuckle.

Full Review | Jun 20, 2013

The plot becomes repetitive and tiresome, though the movies-within-the-movie (created by the filmmakers, rather than pulled from the film vaults) are funny.

The festival structure gives director Mark Herrier a chance to parody the delirious contrivances of '50s black and white horror to some effect, but the mock scenes are never as funny as the real thing.

It's just sad that it's not an iconic or even memorable slasher title in the sub-genre.

Full Review | Oct 12, 2012

Though it isn't even trying to scare you, this is a very nifty black-comic horror movie, one of the rare entries in the genre with some genuine wit and affection.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Sep 7, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 28, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 11, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 8, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 24, 2004

[Popcorn] is the best spoof of its kind since Alligator. It's especially funny when it allows the audience to see sequences from the movies-within-the-movie, each of which recalls some piece of cherished junk out of the 1950's or 60's.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 20, 2003

An underrated little horror gem. If you think you've seen all the scary movies and need a fix, give this one a try.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 8, 2002

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 25, 2002

On the whole, Popcorn is so amateurish in its development, with pseudo-hip dialogue that drops movie references every few lines, it winds up being neither scary nor funny.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

What Does the Tomato and Popcorn Mean on Peacock

[ad_1] What Does the Tomato and Popcorn Mean on Peacock: 9 Interesting Facts

Peacock, the popular streaming service, has gained considerable attention for its unique rating system. Instead of the traditional star rating, Peacock utilizes a tomato and popcorn symbol to denote the quality of a movie or TV show. If you’re wondering what these symbols mean and how they are determined, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore the significance of the tomato and popcorn symbols on Peacock, along with some interesting facts surrounding this rating system.

1. Tomato Symbol:

The tomato symbol on Peacock represents positive reviews for a particular movie or TV show. It signifies that a substantial number of critics and viewers have given favorable feedback, indicating a high-quality production. This symbol is inspired by the popular review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Popcorn Symbol:

On the other hand, the popcorn symbol on Peacock denotes popular and highly entertaining content. It represents a significant level of audience engagement and interest, indicating that a particular movie or TV show has captivated viewers across the platform.

3. Determining Factors:

Peacock’s rating system is not solely based on reviews or popularity. The algorithm takes into account various factors, including audience feedback, critical response, engagement metrics, and watching patterns, to determine the tomato and popcorn ratings for each title.

4. Algorithmic Analysis:

Peacock employs advanced algorithms to analyze data and identify patterns in viewership and engagement. This analysis helps the platform understand viewers’ preferences and recommend content that aligns with their interests.

5. Timely Updates:

Peacock’s rating system is dynamic and constantly updated. The tomato and popcorn ratings may change over time as new reviews, feedback, and viewer data are considered. Therefore, it’s essential to check the current ratings before choosing what to watch.

6. A Fresh Take:

The tomato and popcorn symbols offer a fresh perspective on content quality, allowing users to make informed decisions based on the opinions of both critics and the general audience. This approach provides a comprehensive view of a title’s worth and ensures a diversified range of recommendations.

7. User Reviews and Recommendations:

Peacock encourages users to leave reviews and ratings for the content they watch. These user-generated reviews contribute to the overall rating system, offering a more inclusive and community-driven approach to evaluating movies and TV shows.

8. Genre-Specific Ratings:

Peacock tailors its rating system to specific genres, recognizing that different audiences may have distinct preferences. This approach ensures that ratings accurately reflect the quality and entertainment value of various types of content, from comedy to drama and everything in between.

9. Content Variety:

Peacock’s vast library of movies and TV shows ensures a wide range of ratings, giving users the opportunity to explore and discover content that suits their taste. With the tomato and popcorn symbols, users can easily identify highly acclaimed and popular titles within their preferred genres.

Common Questions:

1. Can I trust the tomato and popcorn ratings on Peacock?

Yes, Peacock’s rating system is designed to provide reliable insights into the quality and popularity of content based on various metrics.

2. How often are the ratings updated?

The ratings are updated regularly to ensure they reflect the latest feedback, reviews, and viewing patterns.

3. Do the tomato and popcorn ratings influence the content available on Peacock?

While the ratings do not directly impact content availability, they help users make informed choices by highlighting highly acclaimed and popular titles.

4. Are the ratings influenced by sponsored content or advertising?

No, Peacock’s rating system remains unbiased and independent from any advertising or sponsored content considerations.

5. Are the tomato and popcorn ratings similar to Rotten Tomatoes’ ratings?

The tomato symbol on Peacock is inspired by Rotten Tomatoes, but the algorithms and data analysis used by Peacock are unique to its platform.

6. Can users contribute to the ratings?

Yes, users can leave reviews and ratings for the content they watch, which contribute to the overall rating system.

7. What if a movie or TV show has a tomato rating but not a popcorn rating, or vice versa?

This indicates that the content may be critically acclaimed but might not have garnered significant popularity, or it could be highly popular but not critically acclaimed.

8. Are the tomato and popcorn ratings available for all titles on Peacock?

Yes, the ratings are available for most movies and TV shows on the platform, allowing users to easily identify highly regarded and popular content.

9. How can I find the ratings for a specific title on Peacock?

The tomato and popcorn ratings are prominently displayed on the content’s detail page, making it easy for users to assess its quality and popularity.

10. Can I filter content based on the tomato and popcorn ratings?

Peacock does not currently offer a filtering option based on tomato and popcorn ratings alone. However, users can sort content by popularity or explore curated recommendations.

11. Are there plans to expand the rating system beyond tomato and popcorn symbols?

While there haven’t been any official announcements, Peacock may consider expanding the rating system in the future based on user feedback and evolving preferences.

12. Do the ratings consider international content?

Yes, Peacock’s rating system is inclusive of international movies and TV shows, ensuring a diverse range of recommendations for users.

13. Can I change my rating for a title?

Currently, Peacock does not allow users to modify their ratings once submitted.

14. Are there any age-specific ratings on Peacock?

Peacock provides parental controls and content filters to help users limit access to age-inappropriate content, but it does not offer specific age ratings for titles.

15. Do the ratings affect content recommendations?

Peacock’s recommendation algorithm considers various factors, including ratings, to suggest content that aligns with users’ preferences.

16. Are there plans to integrate the tomato and popcorn ratings with other streaming platforms?

Peacock’s rating system is currently exclusive to its platform, and there haven’t been any indications of plans for integration with other streaming services.

17. Can I access Peacock’s rating system without a subscription?

Some basic information about ratings may be available without a subscription, but to fully utilize Peacock’s features, including ratings, a subscription is required.

In summary, Peacock’s unique tomato and popcorn rating system offers users a comprehensive view of content quality and popularity. By combining critical reviews, user ratings, and advanced algorithms, Peacock provides a reliable and engaging way to explore its vast library of movies and TV shows. The tomato and popcorn symbols serve as valuable indicators, helping users discover highly acclaimed and popular titles within their preferred genres. [ad_2]

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MOVIE REVIEW : ‘Popcorn’: A Nifty Tribute to Its Genre

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One of the stars of “Popcorn” (citywide) calls it “ ‘Phantom of the Opera’ meets ‘Ten Little Indians’ in a horror movie festival.” That’s as apt and succinct a description as you could wish for this ingenious and spoofy little shocker that with knowing affection pays tribute to irresistibly schlocky vintage exploitation pix while borrowing a key motif from Georges Franju’s haunting “Eyes Without a Face” and lifting lots of gimmicks from the late William Castle, horror impresario supreme, who would have loved this movie.

To raise money for a university film department, a group of cinema students decides to stage, with the help of their professor (Tony Roberts), a “Horror-A-Thon,” an all-night, horror-movie festival at the Dreamland, a glorious old movie palace facing the wrecker’s ball. Directed with plenty of wit and zest by Mark Herrier in his feature debut, “Popcorn” was adapted by Tod Hackett from Mitchell Smith’s story.

“Popcorn’s” set pieces are several flawlessly parodied movies-within-the-movie. Among them: “Mosquito,” one of those ‘50s movies in which atomic experimentation inevitably produced the mutant in the title; “The Amazing Electrified Man,” in which a Death Row inmate (a hilarious Bruce Glover) receives an injection permitting him to thrive in the electric chair, and “The Stench,” an atrociously dubbed Japanese adventure. The last two are presented in “Shock-O-Scope” and “Aromarama,” respectively. Meanwhile, as these films unspool on the Dreamland screen, an elusive maniac emulates them as he commences a killing spree.

It’s possible that the filmmakers didn’t mean their lurid framing story to be quite as cheesy as what they’re making fun of, but that scarcely matters. Jill Schoelen, who appropriately was Christine in the recent Robert Englund “Phantom of the Opera,” is the heroine, a film student so consumed with movie-making she doesn’t unduly complain about the mysterious nightmares she’s experiencing because “they’re good story material.” Tom Villard plays the nerdiest, most rabid film nut among the students. In addition to Roberts and Glover, other familiar actors shown to advantage are Dee Wallace Stone as Schoelen’s mother and Ray Walston as a veteran promoter of exploitation pictures.

Essentially a Canadian venture, “Popcorn” (rated R for standard horror flick gore and some four-letter words) seems vaguely set in Los Angeles but was filmed in Jamaica, primarily at Kingston’s carefully preserved 19th-Century Ward Theater. “Popcorn” is such fun for lovers of schlock (intended or otherwise) that it hardly matters where it is set.

Jill Schoelen: Maggie

Tom Villard: Toby

Dee Wallace: Stone Suzanne

Tony Roberts: Mr. Davis

Ray Walston: Dr. Mnesyne A Studio Three Film Corp. presentation of a Movies Partners and Century Films production. Director Mark Herrier. Producer Torben Johnke, Gary Goch, Ashok Amritaj. Executive producers Howard Hurst, Karl Hendrickson, Howard Baldwin. Screenplay by Tod Hackett, from a story by Mitchell Smith. Cinematographer Ronnie Taylor. Editor Stan Cole. Costumes Heidi Cole. Music Paul J. Zaza. Production design Peter Murton. Art director John Myhre. Set decorator Hugh Scaife. Sound Oscar Lawson.

Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes.

MPAA-rated R (for strong violence and for some language).

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Movie Popcorn Buckets, Ranked From Most to Least Epic

Take a guess as to what’s in last place.

Going to the movie theater is an experience. For most people, that includes hitting the concession stand before the movie starts. True fans spring for the add-on specialty popcorn bucket. While some of these containers aren’t worth shelling out a couple of extra bucks, there are plenty that wowed me. I’ve ranked them below.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’

As a “ Star Wars ” fan who grew up watching the original trilogy, the R2-D2 popcorn and drink container is the best. The attention to detail is incredible; all it's missing are a few sound effects.

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

I’m obsessed with this popcorn tin. Who doesn’t want to feel like a superhero with their very own hero's weapon? The icing on the cake is the dirt holder that the hammer is “lodged” in, which means you have to pull to see if you’re worthy.

‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’

We don’t recommend rolling this 20-sided die; you might lose your popcorn stash! The details in the scaled corners of the die are fantastic, and any Dungeons and Dragons player will tell you that it’s all in the die.

‘Ghostbusters’

“Ghostbusters” is a classic ‘80s film, and I was so excited to see the ghost trap contraption recreated as a popcorn bucket. It’s playful and creative, and I love the purple paneling making it look like it’s sucking in a ghost.

Jump into the retro-esque “Barbie” universe with the hot pink convertible popcorn bucket. For most people, this will probably be the only convertible they get to own.

‘Mean Girls’

The Burn Book in “ Mean Girls ” is the most iconic prop from the film. While we don’t encourage keeping a Burn Book (in today’s slang, “keeping receipts”), I approve of this one.

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

The “Doctor Strange” popcorn vessel has collapsible sides and clear-colored plastic to create a holographic effect. The writing and symbols on the side match what audiences see in the Marvel films , making this a fantastic addition to any bucket collection.

‘The Little Mermaid’

As a popcorn enthusiast, I love this concept of turning it from “Under the Sea” to “Under the Popcorn.” My five-year-old self would’ve begged to have this bucket, and I can see so many other Ariel-loving kids enjoying this.

‘Captain Marvel’

There are two things that I love about the Flerkittens popcorn container. First, it’s interactive, with the pink egg flipping open and shut. Second, the kittens come in five different colors, and it’s a complete surprise which one you’ll get!

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

While there’s nothing wrong with the “Black Panther”-themed bucket, it could’ve been done better. With the black and gold colors and the mask shape on the clear paneling, it’s obvious which movie this was for. However, they could’ve gotten more creative with it.

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’

The “ Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour ” movie was an essential watch for Swifties on a budget; memorabilia we could take home, just like at a real concert, was a huge bonus. Plus, now we can bust it out when we watch the movie at home.

The little star character from “Wish” is adorable and silly, and seeing it as a popcorn bucket makes me smile. The best part is that it glows in the dark.

‘Black Adam’

Personally, I thought “Black Adam” was an excuse to watch Dwayne Johnson run around wreaking havoc. However, I would’ve seen it in theaters just to get the bucket! The lightning and yellow cracks even light up.

‘Dune: Part 2’

While I thoroughly enjoyed the first “Dune” film and have been looking forward to the second installment, I won’t be getting the popcorn bucket. It looks too weird, and imagining the sensation on my hand is cringe.

Which movie popcorn bucket design is your favorite? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!

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