National Popcorn Day

National Popcorn Day History

National Popcorn Day is dedicated to celebrating one of America's favorite snacks: popcorn. This full-flavored delight, whether doused in butter during a movie, air-popped for a healthy snack, or caramelized for a sweet treat, is observed nationwide with fans indulging in their preferred style of popcorn.

Though the origins of National Popcorn Day are unclear, popcorn itself has a history as rich as its flavor profile. Native to the Americas, popcorn has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Not just a snack, it served many purposes from decorating ceremonial headdresses to providing food for survival during hard times. Popcorn became particularly popular in the United States in the mid-1800s, and its prominence has been growing ever since, particularly during times of economic hardship when the inexpensive popcorn treat became an affordable luxury.

Today, National Popcorn Day is a time to celebrate this versatile and beloved grain. The day often sees companies offering special deals or new popcorn flavors, encouraging popcorn enthusiasts and newcomers alike to explore the breadth of experiences popcorn can offer. Desserts, snack mixes, and even popcorn-themed crafts and decorations help bring enthusiasm and joy to the celebration. National Popcorn Day is observed annually on January 19th.

Top 10 Facts for National Popcorn Day in 2026

• The upcoming celebration of National Popcorn Day on January 19, 2026, serves as a focal point for enthusiasts of food history, cinematic culture, and record-breaking trivia. One of the most sought-after details involves the massive promotional events held by theater chains, such as the Cinemark 2026 "Bring Your Own Bucket" deal where fans can fill containers as large as a five-gallon Lowe's home improvement bucket for a flat fee
• The only variety of corn capable of popping is Zea mays everta, which requires an internal temperature of exactly 356 degrees Fahrenheit to burst
• History buffs often investigate the 1948 archaeological discovery in the Bat Cave of New Mexico, where researchers found popcorn kernels over 4,000 years old that were still well-preserved enough to potentially pop
• The cultural link between popcorn and the silver screen is a major point of interest, particularly the trivia that movie theaters initially banned the snack for being too noisy before the Great Depression turned it into a vital, low-cost revenue stream that saved the industry
• Fans of cult cinema may research the 1991 slasher film titled Popcorn, which centers on a group of film students being stalked during a horror movie marathon
• Another popular topic is the 1985 comedy Real Genius, which features a climactic scene involving a house being destroyed by the world's largest explosion of popcorn, a feat that many wonder if science can actually replicate
• Competitive food enthusiasts often track the world record for the largest popcorn ball, currently held by the community of Sac City, Iowa, for a massive edible creation weighing 9,370 pounds
• Social media trends frequently highlight the 1885 invention of the first commercial steam-powered popcorn machine by Charles Cretors, a breakthrough that allowed the snack to move from home hearths to street corners and traveling circuses
• Educational searches often lead to the 1978 children's classic The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola, which remains a primary resource for teaching the indigenous history and folklore associated with the grain
• Modern culinary explorers often seek out "bizarre" flavor profiles such as everything bagel, pink gin, or milo dinosaur, which have recently gained traction in gourmet popcorn markets worldwide.

In the News and Trending for National Popcorn Day

Top things to do for National Popcorn Day

• Watch this short video on how popcorn is made.
• Try making your own popcorn. There are many Recipes that range from sweet, salty, to cheesy. Find you like and try it out.
• Put on a movie at home or go out and catch one in a theater. Be sure to grab your popcorn. No snack pairs better with a movie than popcorn. Be sure to add some butter and special toppings while you're at it.