The extreme portions that theaters sell as “small” and “large.”
What the evidence says
- A “small” movie popcorn ranges from 8 cups (Cinemark) to 11 cups (Regal); a “large” can be 20 cups with free refill[1]
- Regal medium and large are both 20 cups — different container shape (tall bag vs wide tub) creates the illusion of more food in the large[1]
- Regal pops in coconut oil (90% saturated fat): small = 670 cal, 34g sat fat; medium/large = 1,200 cal, 60g sat fat (three days’ worth)[1]
- AMC systematically underreported calories: “225-calorie” small was 370 cal in independent lab testing (~50% more by weight than company claimed); “660-calorie” large was actually 1,030 cal[1]
- Cinemark uses non-hydrogenated canola oil — dramatically less saturated fat (small: 2g sat fat vs Regal’s 34g) but still high calories and sodium[1]
- Combo meals concentrate damage: Regal medium popcorn + medium soda = 1,610 cal; large popcorn + 2 sodas = 2,020 cal[1]