Cinemark Offers $5 All-You-Can-Fill Popcorn Deal for Any Container

On January 19th, Cinemark Theatres will load any container with up to 400 ounces of fresh, buttery popcorn for $5. No movie ticket needed - just bring your container and dig in.

"Popcorn has always been the star of movie theater concessions, though popcorn vessels have become an award-worthy supporting actor," said David Haywood, Cinemark's senior vice president of food and beverage, to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

This popcorn deal shows how theaters are changing their marketing approach. Since theaters make little money on tickets, they rely heavily on snack sales. Special movie-themed buckets tied to big releases have become a clever way to boost their bottom line.

You can enjoy this popcorn deal at several Cinemark theaters in the area, including two in Delaware, one in New Jersey, and one in Philadelphia. The Cinemark University City Penn 6 is located at 4012 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

The bring-your-own-container idea isn't anything new. Corner stores like 7-Eleven do similar deals with Slurpees. While National Popcorn Day kicked off in 2003, nobody really knows how it started.

History shows us popcorn goes back thousands of years, according to daysoftheyear.com. Scientists found 5,600-year-old popped kernels in a New Mexican cave. Jump to 1885, when Charles Cretors created the first commercial popcorn machine on Chicago's streets.

Things really changed in 1981. When microwave popcorn bags came out, they changed how people enjoyed movie snacks at home, letting folks make their favorite treat without going to the theater.

Some of the greatest bands of all time are actually fictional bands from movies and TV shows. If only we could actually see them perform live!

Over the years, there have been countless movies and TV shows focusing on bands that aren't actually real. Sometimes, it's quite obvious and comical, while other times, you might have had no idea it wasn't about a real band. They can be grounded in reality or over the top--there are examples of it all in your favorite pieces of entertainment. However, can we all agree we wish these five fictional bands from movies and TV were real?

Recently, I shared some examples of fictional food from movies and shows that look delicious. Now, it's time for some fictional bands. Not only are there shows and movies about fake bands, but there have also been several songs that were made specifically for these works of art. One of my favorite examples is "Scotty Doesn't Know" from the movie EuroTrip. It became a hit classic, but it's actually from a real band--so it can't make the list. Granted, the real band doesn't have Matt Damon on vocals, but I count them as non-fiction, nonetheless.

We've seen fictional bands in comedies, mockumentaries, dramas, and even in some animated shows. It can be a great way to create comedic situations or to parallel what real bands go through without having to worry about securing a band's rights or anything. I imagine that can be quite the process when you could simply invent a band instead.

When thinking about some of the fictional bands from movies and TV to add to the list, several came to mind right away. However, that doesn't necessarily make them the best. I wanted this list to be quality and agreed upon by the majority. So, I had to do a bit of homework. While doing my research, I was blown away by how many there are! I had forgotten about some of these, and in many cases I didn't realize they were fictional bands! I guess I always thought "Josie And The Pussycats" was a real band. I guess I didn't really pay attention to the movie. Likewise, the same thing with "Cheetah Girls" I thought it was a real group. However, they only became a real group after the movie came out and they did some shows and stuff. Those bands will not appear on the list below. We can consider them to be honorable mentions, though?

Let's get to the list! What bands would you add to the list that you'd love to see live and in person but will likely never be able to because they aren't real? Let us know!

Look, you can't talk about fictional bands without talking about Spinal Tap. They're arguably the greatest fictional band of all-time. Sure, they did end up playing some shows but that doesn't count! They're from a movie and so I'm calling them fake. Also, you'd be surprised how many people don't realize they aren't real. It's a mockumentary! Ugh. The actors are all quality musicians but it remains a fake band.

https://youtu.be/voVY3-Xe8KY?si=YeBR8Uc94RdXceOK Do you remember The Beets from "Doug?" I had this song stuck in my head for the better part of my childhood growing up. It was so catchy! I wanted to see them. Doug and everyone seemed so hype about them. I wanted that feeling! It would be so cool to see them perform their songs live. I bet you'd remember more lyrics than you;d expect. 

This is one of the newer examples on the list. I watched this show and it was fantastic. The music is cool, the characters are relatable, and the songs are awesome! I'd definitely see them perform live. This would have been my type of band back in the day. If you haven't watched it yet, it's highly recommended!

https://youtu.be/rPIt52BwTak?si=gOr0nQzjbplACb3d Anything Steve Smith sings gets instantly stuck in my head. Just like Family Guy and South Park, American Dad does a great job incorporating original songs. They are always great and they are always funny. Somehow, they never seem to miss. It's funny how the show will reference Boyz 12 and their music even outside of the original episode. A nice Easter Egg for fans of the show.

Of course this had to make the list! It's one of the most memorable moments and episodes of SpongeBob! Can you image being at the Bubble Bowl to see this one-of-a-kind performance? That crowd definitely looked hype. Honestly, I don't think you're ever too old for SpongeBob. It remains hilarious to this day. Or am I just immature?