Popcorn is a popular snack food, especially when watching a movie at the theater. Cinemark is one of the largest movie theater chains in the United States. When going to see a movie at Cinemark, many people get popcorn as a snack to enjoy during the film. But how many calories are actually in Cinemark’s large popcorn serving? This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the nutrition facts for Cinemark popcorn.
Calories in Cinemark Popcorn
According to Cinemark’s website, a large popcorn contains 1,200 calories. This is based on their classic popcorn which is popped in coconut oil and then seasoned with salt.
Here is a summary of the nutrition information for a large Cinemark popcorn:
Cinemark Large Popcorn Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | Large (19 cups popped corn) |
| Calories | 1,200 |
| Total Fat | 60g |
| Saturated Fat | 24g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 1,500mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 158g |
| Dietary Fiber | 12g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Includes Added Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 10g |
As you can see, a large popcorn from Cinemark packs a whopping 1,200 calories. This is over half the daily calorie needs for most people.
Popcorn Nutrition Facts
To better understand the high calorie count of Cinemark popcorn, let’s take a look at the nutrition facts for a comparable amount of air-popped popcorn without any oil or salt:
Nutrition Facts for 19 Cups of Air-Popped Popcorn
| Serving Size | 19 cups popcorn |
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 5mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Dietary Fiber | 9g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Includes Added Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 8g |
Plain air-popped popcorn only has 180 calories for 19 cups. So where do all those extra calories in the Cinemark popcorn come from?
Sources of Extra Calories in Cinemark Popcorn
There are two main reasons why Cinemark’s large popcorn has so many more calories than plain air-popped popcorn:
1. Oil
Cinemark pops their popcorn in coconut oil. While coconut oil is considered a healthier oil, it still adds a significant amount of fat and calories. 19 cups of popcorn popped in oil can have over 1000 extra calories from fat compared to air-popped popcorn.
2. Flavoring
Cinemark’s standard popcorn seasoning is salt. While salt doesn’t directly add calories, it enhances flavor which can lead to overeating. The urge to continue eating more handfuls of that salty, buttery popcorn adds to the high calorie tally.
Tips for Making Cinemark Popcorn Healthier
If you want to enjoy popcorn at Cinemark without consuming over half your daily calories in one snack, here are some tips:
Size Down
Opt for a small or medium popcorn instead of large. This immediately cuts a significant amount of calories.
Flavor Lightly
Ask for light butter flavoring or just salt. You can also season with low-cal spices like garlic powder, oregano, or chili powder.
Share
Split a large popcorn with a friend or two. Portion control is key with ultra-indulgent movie theater popcorn.
Alternate Snack
Sub in a lower calorie snack like a small box of candy, frozen fruit bar, or protein bar.
Popcorn Calorie Comparison at Other Movie Theaters
How does Cinemark’s large popcorn stack up against other movie theater chains calorie-wise? Here is a comparison:
Movie Theater Popcorn Calorie Comparison
| Theater Chain | Popcorn Size | Calories |
| Cinemark | Large | 1,200 |
| AMC | Large | 1,200 |
| Regal | Extra Large | 1,040 |
| Alamo Drafthouse | Large | 1,100 |
As you can see, Cinemark’s large popcorn is nearly as high-calorie as other major movie theater chains. AMC’s large is tied for the most calories. Regal’s extra large actually contains slightly fewer calories than Cinemark’s large. Independent chain Alamo Drafthouse also clocks in at around 1,100 calories for a large popcorn.
Healthiest Movie Theater Popcorn Options
If you want to indulge in movie theater popcorn without the mega calorie bomb, here are some of the lowest calorie popcorn options at major chains:
Lowest Calorie Popcorn at Movie Theaters
| Theater Chain | Popcorn Size | Calories |
| Cinemark | Junior | 370 |
| AMC | Kids | 470 |
| Regal | Medium | 610 |
| Alamo Drafthouse | Snack | 370 |
Ordering the smallest size available avoids the calorie pitfalls of movie theater popcorn. At Cinemark and Alamo, the junior size has around 370 calories. AMC’s kids and Regal’s medium are also better options with well under 1,000 calories.
Healthier Ways to Make Popcorn
When making popcorn at home, there are lots of ways to enjoy this snack while avoiding high calories:
Tips for Lower Calorie Popcorn
- Air pop your popcorn instead of using oil
- Spray lightly with olive oil spray instead of drenching in butter
- Flavor with herbs, spices, salt-free seasoning blends
- Sweeten lightly with a dusting of cinnamon or zero-calorie sweetener instead of sugar
- Portion into snack bags to avoid overeating
With smart preparation methods and portion control, popcorn can be part of a healthy diet, even without sacrificing flavor.
Conclusion
A large popcorn from Cinemark packs a whopping 1,200 calories, which is over half the recommended daily intake for most people. All that added fat and flavoring from coconut oil and salt leads to a mega calorie movie snack. To enjoy popcorn more healthfully, size down at the theater or make smart swaps when popping your own. With the right techniques, popcorn can still be savored without the extra calories derailing your diet.
