Dune 3 popcorn buckets are even more unhinged than the original
The second Dune movie's merchandise, widely deemed to be NSFW, is making a comeback ahead of Dune: Part Three. And movie theatre chains didn't dial it back. They've doubled down.
Clearly, simply putting popcorn in a bag just doesn't cut it anymore
Griffin Jaeger · CBC News
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Remember when Dune: Part Two gave the world that suggestive popcorn bucket that stopped you in your tracks and made you wonder: is this even allowed? Well, it's back. And this time it brought a friend.
Yes, you read that right. The movie merchandise widely deemed to be NSFW is making a comeback ahead of Dune: Part Three. And movie theatre chains didn't dial it back. They've doubled down.
Clearly, simply putting popcorn in a bag just doesn't cut it anymore.
Riding the viral success of the last movie's merchandise, two new suggestive designs are being sold — and they've already got people talking.
First up is a "shareable" popcorn tub featuring not one, but two sandworms. According to American theatre chain AMC, the design makes it "easier to share."
Cineplex is also rolling out an updated version of the original single-worm bucket, complete with a functional vibrating 'sandworm thumper'. (Cineplex)
And if two sandworms weren't enough to get the internet talking, Cineplex is also rolling out an updated version of the original single-worm bucket, complete with a functional "sandworm thumper."
For anyone who hasn't seen the film, a thumper is the device used to pound the desert and attract giant sandworms. The best (or worst) part of the sandworm thumper bucket? It has a working design: this one vibrates. Yes, you read that correctly.
The memes are so back
The original popcorn bucket kicked off countless memes when it dropped in 2024. Director Denis Villeneuve, in an interview with the New York Times, said his reaction to the bucket was: "Hoooooly smokes. What the [expletive]!?"
It even inspired a sketch on Saturday Night Live, which featured a teenager with a rather unconventional use for the popcorn bucket — proving everyone on the internet was thinking the exact same thing.
Naturally, fans took zero time reacting to the latest designs, flooding social feeds with unhinged memes and 18+ reactions.
For this story's purposes, we're keeping it PG. You can dive into that wormhole at your own risk.
"What if we both reached for more popcorn and accidentally touched hands inside the DUNE: PART 3 popcorn bucket 👉🏻👈🏻 >.<🩵✨" one user wrote on X. "Holding my wife's hand in the Dune 3 popcorn bucket, you sick freaks should take notes," another joked.
Over on Instagram, the comment sections were just as suggestive as you might've guessed.
"Double the worms double the fun," one user commented on Cineplex's post.
"Ya'll play too much 😂." said another. "Me ordering 12 of them 🧐🧐🧐," a third added.
Movie theatres have been selling novelty popcorn tins and containers for years. But the success of the previous Dune bucket seemingly inspired theatre chains to get more creative — and increasingly outrageous — with the designs.
Other notable mentions include: an entirely transparent bucket for You Can See Everything; a giant dinosaur footprint bucket for Jurassic Park Rebirth; a Trojan horse bucket for The Odyssey; and a red purse for The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Hitting theatres December 18, Dune: Part Three continues the sci-fi saga based on Frank Herbert's novels.
WATCH | Trailer for Dune: Part Three:
Directed by Villeneuve, the film has a star-studded cast featuring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson.
"We love that merchandise has become part of the moviegoing experience, giving fans an interactive way to enjoy concessions", Michelle Saba, vice-president of communications for Cineplex, wrote in a statement to CBC News.
The new merch will be up for grabs at most Cineplex locations across Canada starting Dec. 17, while supplies last.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Griffin Jaeger is a reporter and producer with CBC's entertainment unit. He also formerly hosted and produced content for The National’s digital platforms. You can reach him at griffin.jaeger@cbc.ca
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