21 Movie Theater Candies Ranked Best to Worst
Movie Theaters instantly bring three things to mind: The anticipation of the lights dimming, the excitement for the film, and the fantastic array of candy options. These snacks often add to the atmosphere just as much as the decorum or film itself.
But not all of these snacks are created equally. With so many options, how is a moviegoer supposed to choose? Don’t worry; we ranked 21 different movie candies from best to worst. This way, you can be prepared the next time you walk into a theater to see the newest blockbuster film.
1. Sno-Caps
These fan-favorite theater candies are just the best. Sno-Caps are small chocolate candies capped with white nonpareils and shaped like snowflakes. This provides a crunchy yet silky smooth chocolate texture that moviegoers love.
This wonderful candy first became available in the late 1920s and has been enjoyed by moviegoers ever since. Some bold individuals even throw Sno-Caps in their popcorn to create an unrivaled salty-sweet snack.
2. M&M’s
These colorfully decorated chocolates have had a more significant impact on American culture than any candy should have the right to. The delicious snack was based on a ration given to Spanish Civil War soldiers. These candies coated in hard sugar would not melt and can be enjoyed during wartime.
Following this trend, the candy was exclusively sold to the U.S. Military during World War II. M&M’s would later become the first candy to enter space in 2011. This iconic treat has become a staple of American culture and is an excellent option for theater attendees.
3. Buncha Crunch
Released in 1994, Buncha Crunch is a miniature version of the delightful Nestle Crunch Bar. It was initially only sold in theaters before being moved to retailers. These treats are small balls of chocolate mixed with rice clusters to create an irresistible texture.
Buncha Crunch is a versatile snack that can be eaten on its own, mixed with popcorn, or even added as a topper to some delicious movie theater ice cream.
4. Reese’s Pieces
Made famous by the hit film E.T., Reese’s Pieces is a small candy consisting of peanut butter coated in a candy shell. Similar to M&M’s, this prevents the candy from melting and allows theater attendees to enjoy them throughout the film.
The Hershey Company created Reese’s Pieces in the 1970s to utilize panning machines left over from the days of Hershey-ETS. The product was first called PBs before later being remarketed as the delectable treat we all know and love.
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5. Whoppers
This famous malted milk ball was created in 1939 as Giants. The candy was reinvented as Whoppers in 1949 and later purchased by the Hershey Company in 1996. A thin layer of chocolate covers these malted milk balls, adding more pop to the iconic malt flavor.
Whoppers are a classic staple of theater candy and have been enjoyed by generations of audiences. Although a great candy, it tends to melt in your hand, which some moviegoers may not enjoy.
6. Milk Duds
This theater candy legend has a humorous origin. In 1928, the F. Hoffman & Company of Chicago attempted to make a round caramel candy but needed help figuring out how to achieve the desired shape.
Because of this blunder, the famous candy was referred to as duds, which is how Milk Duds came to life. The Hershey Company now owns these delightful candies. Milk Duds are loved for their chewy texture and wonderful caramel flavor.
7. Junior Mints
Invented in 1949, these fabulous mint chocolate candies heighten any movie-going experience. Created by the James O. Welch Company, the creators of Welch’s Grape Juice, Junior Mints are the company’s foray into the world of candy making.
Junior Mints are small mint pieces covered in dark chocolate. They can serve as a nice treat at the movies or even as a palate cleanser for all that salty popcorn. In 1963, Tootsie Roll purchased the James O. Welch Company and has produced this famous snack ever since.
8. Goobers
First introduced to the United States in 1925, Goobers are roasted peanuts wrapped in chocolate to provide a unique texture experience. The candy is named from the common term for peanuts at the time, goober.
The Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Company invented the candy in 1925 and sold it to Ward Foods in 1969. It was sold again to the Terson Company in 1981 and finally found its home with Nestle in 1984. Since then, the candy has been a mainstay at theaters in America.
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9. Starburst
This U.K. based candy is loved by theatergoers for its delightful chewiness and bold fruit flavors. Starburst, originally called Opal Fruits, was created by Peter Phillips in 1960. He soon sold the product to Mars, who began manufacturing the candy on a large scale.
Starburst would be released to the American public under M&M’s Fruit Chewies before rebranding as Starburst. Movie attendees love Starburst for its variety of fruit flavors and unique texture. Some candy lovers even take the treat home to place in the freezer, thus turning it into a hard candy.
10. Welch’s Fruit Snacks
Welch Food Inc. created one of the more recent creations on the list, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, in 1998. Moviegoers love Welch’s Fruit Snacks as they provide a healthier alternative still packed with flavor.
These incredible gummies are made with real fruit juice and provide candy enthusiasts with a variety of flavors in a tiny bag. Welch’s Fruit Snacks are enjoyed by children and adults alike and have become a fan favorite over the years.
11. Haribo Gummy Bear
These adorable bear-shaped gummies continue to impress moviegoers with their exceptional flavor profile and unique texture. Haribo created the first gummy candy in 1922. These gummy bears, called Gummibarchen, inspired all gummy candy that followed.
Although it took nearly 60 years for American candy lovers to embrace the idea of gummy-based treats, Haribo Gummy Bears are now considered an excellent snack for moviegoers. The snack can be eaten alone, tossed in with popcorn, or added as a topper to theater sundaes.
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12. Sour Patch Kids
Initially known as Mars Men, Sour Patch Kids is an excellent option for the more adventurous movie fanatic. These small, chewy candies are smacked with sour, fruity flavors that fans can’t get enough of. To balance out the sour effects of the treat, Sour Patch Kids adds a generous layer of sugar to the snack’s coating.
Created in the 1970s by Frank Galatolie, Sour Patch Kids have been a mainstay in the theater candy world for some time. They offer a unique snack experience that moviegoers love. But their sour taste and rough sugar coating aren’t for everyone.
13. Swedish Fish
The Swedish candy company Malaco first created these fish-shaped candies in the 1950s. Swedish Fish was inspired by a popular dish at the time called Surstromming, or sour herring. Luckily, the candy does not taste like pickled fish and has become a popular sweet treat for theatergoers.
Today, Mondelez International owns and distributes Swedish Fish. Despite its origin, moviegoers world wide have fallen in love with the candy’s wonderful gummy texture. Unfortunately, some candy enthusiasts are not thrilled by its unique flavor and texture.
14. Mike and Ike
The exact inspiration for Mike and Ike’s is unknown. These creative bite-size fruit candies were invented by Sam Born in 1923 via his small candy company Just Born. Since then, the candy has become a hit in theaters with its vibrant colors and sweet, fruity flavor.
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15. Good & Plenty
Believed to be the oldest branded candy in the United States, Good & Plenty is a sweet licorice candy coated in a hard candy shell. We don’t often think of black licorice as being a hit with moviegoers, but Good & Plenty has proven that there is still a high demand for it.
First created by the Quaker City Chocolate & Confectionery Company of Philadelphia in 1893, Good & Plenty has been a hit with candy lovers for over a hundred years. This is primarily because the candy offers a flavor profile that cannot be found anywhere else.
16. Lemonheads
There are many spherical fruit-flavored candies out there, but none can match the alluring zing offered by Lemonheads. First introduced by the Ferrara Candy Company in 1962, Lemonheads provide a quick bite of lemon sour followed by a delicious sugar finish. Many theatergoers enjoy these wonderful candies, but some find the sourness off-putting.
17. Red Vines
Although not technically licorice since they contain no licorice, Red Vines are still a fun snack found in most movie theaters. In the 1920s, the American Licorice Company decided to try something new and created the iconic red raspberry licorice flavor that candy lovers have adored.
Thirty years later, they rebranded the product as Red Vines. This delightfully fruity candy eventually overtook the market and became their top seller. Many moviegoers still enjoy Red Vines today, but this delicious snack has a hard time competing with its chocolate-based rivals.
18. Twizzlers
One of the oldest candies around, Twizzlers can be traced back to 1929. The candy was invented by Young and Smylie, one of the oldest candy companies in the United States. The firm would eventually be sold to The Hershey Company in 1977.
Twizzlers are one of the most iconic candies around. The sweet treat is instantly recognizable for its bright color and unique aroma. Moviegoers love the candy for its flavor and texture and have even been known to use it as a straw.
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19. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
You can have all the cookie dough flavor you love without risks! Scott Samet and Douglas Chu conceived Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites in 1995 after their company, Taste of Nature, failed to profit from healthier movie theater snack options.
Since their creation, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites have been a massive hit for movie theater attendees. Their unique cookie dough flavor provides an excellent snack option for those who love baked goods. However, some people complain that the treats are too much on the chalky side.
20. Dots
This gum drop candy is owned and distributed by The Tootsie Roll Corporation. Dots are an iconic snack familiar to anyone who has been inside a movie theater for the past fifty years. The candy is known for its bright colors and fruity flavors. Unfortunately, the candy has a hard time competing with its more sugary opponents.
21. Raisinets
Attempting to make a candy out of raisins is a bold move under the best circumstances. Raisinets were created by the Blumenthal Chocolate Company in 1927 and have continued to be a staple in theaters since their introduction. Some candy enthusiasts love this chocolate-covered fruit snack, while others don’t care for the dried grapes flavor profile.
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