No modern blockbuster is complete with its own bucket of popcorn. It is a trend that has been happening for a few years but reached viral levels when Dune: Part Two released one that, well, looked like a sex toy. Since then, the popcorn bucket war has taken viewers on all kinds of adventures and now the latest, for Ridley Scott. Gladiator II, you are adding a completely new element.
Coming exclusively to Cinemark theaters, the Gladiator II The popcorn bucket isn’t just a popcorn bucket in the shape of the Roman Colosseum at the center of the franchise. It also has an AR element that allows you to watch a real battle inside the Colosseum… but hopefully not while you’re still in the theater.
You can see a small example below of the Gladiator II social media account.
Finish the popcorn, scan the code and let the games begin. Experience your own gladiator battle in augmented reality with the #GladiatorII AR-ENA Popcorn Bucket. Get yours at @cinemark opening weekend and get tickets today. pic.twitter.com/qINBIfJhg2
– Gladiator Movie (@GladiatorMovie) October 22, 2024
So the idea here is that you ask for the Gladiator II popcorn bucket, finish the popcorn, then after the movie, scan the AR code and watch the battle. Which, we have to admit, isn’t a bad idea. It promotes phone use with something you can only buy in a movie theater, which isn’t great, but the idea of extending the story outside of the movie theater is a good one. Plus, in terms of actual popcorn receptacles, the Colosseum is one of the best-shaped cubes yet. Plus, it’s decidedly asexual, which we can’t say about all the popcorn buckets released this year.
Overall, though, the 2024 popcorn bucket war, with movies like Dune: Part Two and Deadpool and Wolverine, but also Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Terrifier 3, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and others—what they have done is give people another reason to go to the movies. Not only do you get bigger screens and better sound, but now you can also get collectibles and that’s a smart addition.
Something that could be highlighted in the case of Gladiator II although it is the topic. All the other movies mentioned below were science fiction, fantasy, and blockbusters. Gladiator II It certainly has blockbuster potential, but it’s much more of an awards-attracting drama than anything else. Do audiences who show up to see Gladiator II Do you care about this popcorn bucket or even its AR evolution? Do they even know what AR is? It just seems like an odd combination of forward-thinking with a sure sequel.
He Gladiator II The popcorn bucket will be available soon. stay tuned on Cinemark social networks. Gladiator II It’s in theaters November 22.
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