A screenshot of the “Deadpool & Wolverine” popcorn bucket shared by Ryan Reynolds. (Ryan Reynolds/YouTube)

Ryan Reynolds/YouTube

hide caption

toggle caption

Ryan Reynolds/YouTube

A screenshot of the “Deadpool & Wolverine” popcorn bucket shared by Ryan Reynolds. (Ryan Reynolds/YouTube)

Ryan Reynolds/YouTube

Even before the Dune: Part 2 popcorn bucket went viral this year, movie theaters have been trying all types of ways to lure customers back. There’s reclining seats, expanded menu options, and even more merchandise. Today on the show, we track the rise of the popcorn bucket and its afterlife on eBay.

Related episodes:
Coyote vs. Warner Brothers Discovery (Apple / Spotify)
​​Why platforms like HBO Max are removing streaming TV shows (Apple / Spotify)
Is movie night back?

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.