Thousands of Marvel-themed popcorn buckets are recalled for risk to kids

Thousands of Marvel-themed popcorn buckets sold at movie theaters nationwide have been recalled due to a risk of serious injury or death to kids.

Popcorn buckets for blockbuster films have become all the rage with people collecting and even reselling them. The comedically shaped buckets often make sounds and light up, which can be fun for kids but also a potential danger that parents should be aware of.

The popcorn bucket offered to superhero fans during the release of Captain America: Brave New World last year was recalled Thursday by the global cinema concessions company Golden Link.

Federal safety regulators warned that the light-up helmet-shaped souvenirs contain button cell batteries that children can easily access.

If kids get to the small batteries, they could swallow them, causing serious injuries, including internal chemical burns, and even death, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned in a new notice.

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Golden Link also recalled light-up Invisible Woman and Human Torch cups sold ahead of the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps last summer over the same issue.

More than 55,000 of these popcorn buckets and cups were sold at AMC Theatres and lesser-known movie theaters, such as Harkins Theatres and GQT Movies.

There have been no reports of injuries linked to the recall as of Thursday, but parents are advised to throw away the popcorn buckets and cups. They can contact Golden Link for a refund via email at productrecall@goldenlinkinc.com.

The Independent has reached out to Golden Link for comment.

The Captain America and Fantastic Four souvenirs were recalled just as the latest movie in the Spider-Man franchise came out. Spider-Man: Brand New Day was released Friday, and, of course, there is a collectable all-in-one popcorn bucket and drink cup for it.

This souvenir holds your popcorn in a translucent plastic web that shoots out of Spider-Man’s glove, which serves as a vessel for your soda. There appear to be no light-up or sound-making features included in the souvenir, which is selling for about $50.

AMC Theatres estimates that it will make a staggering $100 million in revenue from collectible popcorn buckets this year, The New York Times reported.

“Seven years ago, this business effectively didn’t exist for AMC,” Nels Storm, the company’s vice president of food and beverage product strategy, told the publication.

“I would never suggest that popcorn buckets are the reason people go to the movies, or that movie-themed merch is saving the industry, but over the last few years they’ve become a big part of the conversation around major releases,” Storm added.