Family movie night is one of the best traditions out there. There is nothing better than gathering the family together to watch a fun, exciting movie. Of course, any good movie night needs delicious snacks to be complete.
The most popular snack for movie night is definitely popcorn. It is loved by so many people since it is easy to make, inexpensive and also pretty tasty. We must admit, we love popcorn, too. But we also found the 18 best movie snack ideas that you may want to try for your next family movie night. Take a look at all the sweet, savory and salty options to see which snack recipes you want to try. You may just want to try them all.
Savory Movie Night Snacks
Savory, salty snacks are great for movie night. Buttery popcorn would fall into this category and we all know that it is the classic treat for any movie night. However, if you want to break out of your popcorn comfort zone and try new simple recipes, here are a few savory options that are really delicious.
1. Popcorn with Movie Theater Butter
All movie theaters serve salty, buttery popcorn. It is so delicious and has become the signature snack of movie night. You can make your own movie theater butter popcorn right at home to give yourself a traditional treat.
Make microwave, bagged popcorn or try using an air popper to make really fluffy popcorn. Cooking popcorn kernels on the stovetop is also a great idea and very easy to do. Top your popped popcorn with melted butter and sea salt. You will never grow tired of this combination.
2. Jalapeno Lime Popcorn
If you want a spicy, salty snack, then you should definitely try jalapeno lime popcorn. It will definitely shake up your movie night and is very easy to make. Grab some jalapeno lime seasoning to sprinkle over your popped popcorn. You can also squeeze fresh lime juice on top of your popcorn and then toss it with some freshly chopped jalapenos. Both versions will make for a great movie night snack.
3. Trail Mix
Turn your popcorn into a tasty trail mix. You can customize your trail mix popcorn in so many ways, making it a personalized snack. We love the crispy, chewy, crunchy textures of popcorn trail mix and think you will too.
Pour your popped popcorn into a big bowl then toss in your favorite nuts. Pecans, walnuts, peanuts and cashews all work well. Then, add some dried fruit. Cranberries and raisins are all fantastic. Toasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds are the perfect finishing touch.
4. Finger Foods
Finger foods are great for movie night as they are easy to eat while reclining on the couch. Bite sized chicken wings, sliders or mozzarella sticks are a few of our favorite finger food snacks.
Toss some store-bought, frozen appetizers into your air fryer or try making homemade finger foods. Get creative.
5. Potato Chips
Potato chips or crisps are a very easy movie night snack. There are hundreds of different types of potato chips you can munch on, making this a salty snack you will never tire of. We like kettle cooked sea salt chips, BBQ flavored chips, or classic sour cream and onion.
6. Nachos
Put together a big plate of nachos for your next movie night and you are sure to enjoy every bite. You can customize your nachos with lots of toppings or keep them simple. Melt some shredded cheese over tortilla chips for a basic nacho platter or go gourmet. Our favorite easy recipe is to layer queso, tortilla chips, salsa, jalapenos and sour cream on a big plate. Heat the nachos in the microwave and they are ready to eat.
7. Savory Snack Mix
Just like trail mix, snack mix is easy to customize. Try pouring different ingredients into small bowls then letting your friends and family make their own snack mix. This custom snacking experience is perfect for movie night.
We like to make savory snack mix with Cheez Its, Chex, nuts, pretzels, popcorn and chocolates. The sweet and salty combination is amazing.
8. Buffalo Popcorn
Buffalo popcorn is a take on classic movie theater popcorn that you will adore. Buffalo seasoning can be sprinkled over popcorn or you can toss popcorn with real buffalo wing sauce. Serve the popcorn with some ranch for dipping to make this savory snack even more incredible.
9. Veggie Sticks
Veggie sticks are a wonderful, healthy snack that you can enjoy while watching a movie. Cust your favorite veggies into strips and serve them chilled. We like to make platters of carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and celery. Add some ranch dressing as a dip.
You can also sprinkle your veggie sticks with a little lime juice and some chili powder. This will really take your healthy movie night snack to the next level.
Sweet Movie Night Snacks
Sweet treats are perfect for movie night. There is nothing better than eating a fresh chocolate chip cookie or bowl of candy while you watch a movie. Here are a few ideas and simple recipes that you may want to try to satisfy your sweet tooth on movie night.
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
A warm chocolate chip cookie pairs with pretty much every movie out there. You can make homemade cookies or bake a tray of refrigerated cookie dough. You can also just buy pre-made cookies and pop them into the microwave for a few seconds to make the chips melted and gooey. This is a perfect comfort food treat that everyone will adore.
2. Caramel Popcorn
Caramel corn is a classic carnival and movie theater snack. It is the best sweet treat for movie night as it combines traditional popcorn with your need for sweets.
You can try your hand at making caramel corn at home, using brown sugar, vanilla and butter. Or you can buy a big bag of pre-made caramel corn that will be perfect for family movie night.
3. Gummy Fruit Snacks
Gummy fruit snacks are a unique way to switch up your movie night. They are much chewier than a lot of snacks on this list which many people will enjoy.
Gummy fruit snack can be on the sweet side but there are actually healthier versions if you are interested. Look for low sugar fruit snacks or those made with 100% pure fruit juice. Or just go for the class movie theater gummy snacks like Swedish Fish or Sour Patch Kids. Whatever your taste buds desire.
4. Marshmallow Popcorn
Marshmallow popcorn snacks are a fun twist on classic rice krispie treats. They are easy to make and fun to eat. You can even add some rainbow sprinkles to elevate this delicious snack to the next level.
Pour your popped popcorn into a large bowl. Melt some marshmallows and butter together in a large bowl then pour the mix over your popcorn. Toss everything together then enjoy.
5. Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut butter cups may be our absolute favorite candy for movie night. The salty, savory peanut butter is perfect with chocolate and never grows old.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most iconic type of peanut butter cup but you can find other tasty brands as well. Try making your own, homemade peanut butter cups for a truly gourmet candy experience.
6. Ice Cream Bars
While ice cream does need to be eaten quickly, it is still a really tasty movie night snack. You can buy ice cream bars at any grocery store and keep them in the freezer until you are ready to eat. They are also fantastic for a summer time movie night as they will help you cool down.
We like M&M cookie sandwiches, snickers ice cream bars and bite sized Dibs. You can also just make ice cream sundaes that are sure to be a hit.
7. Puppy Chow
Puppy chow is a delicious snack made from Chex cereal, chocolate and powdered sugar. It is super easy to make and really fun to eat. It is the perfect snack mix to make for a movie night at home.
Puppy chow is also called Muddy Buddies. No matter the name, it is a great sweet and savory snack that has a similar crunch to popcorn. You may want to store it in the fridge until you are ready to eat so the chocolate doesn’t melt.
8. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
This is another great savory and sweet snack that you can make yourself or buy in the grocery store. Salty, crunchy pretzels are amazing with any kind of chocolate. Use pretzel twists or pretzel sticks to create a fun, easy to eat, movie night snack.
9. Junior Mints
We love the unique taste of minty Junior Mints. They are so powerful and surprisingly refreshing. This classic movie theater snack is one of the most popular candies and you can find them in any grocery store. Buy the big box as you will want them all.
Create The Perfect Movie Night Snack Board
Over the past few years, charcuterie boards have become super popular. They are made with snacks, meats and cheeses, creating a beautiful and tasty display of foods. Charcuterie boards are perfect for grazing on while you watch your favorite movies.
Create a charcuterie board using savory snacks like pretzels, chips, popcorn and nuts. Add some sweet treats like candy and chocolate. Make sure everything on the board goes well together and gives you a good selection of flavors and texture. This really is the ultimate movie snack.
Find Your New Favorite Movie Night Snack & Get Inspiration with Popsmith
There are so many delicious snack ideas for movie night. Keep your family movie night interesting and exciting by trying some of these yummy snack ideas. There is something here for everyone so your movie night experience will be even better than going to the movie theater.
We at Popsmith are always coming up with new and exciting ways to enjoy popcorn. We also have lots of information about popcorn so you can learn all about your favorite snack. Check back often so you can see what we are popping up.
