Studio chief urges theater operators to trade in popcorn for peaches

Hold the butter on that popcorn.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton called on the nation's biggest circuits to think about the waist lines of their customers, not just their own bottom lines.

In a speech at the nation's largest theater convention in Las Vegas, Lynton urged theater owners to offer healthier snacks at their concession stands and not simply rely on the usual fare of candy, popcorn and soda.

"Adding healthier options to your existing menu is the right thing to do for our industry, for audiences and for our country," Lynton said at the annual movie industry convention known as ShoWest.

Lynton cited the childhood obesity epidemic and a poll conducted by Sony that found two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered them.

As for what kinds of healthy snacks he had in mind, Lynton said: "I don't thinks giant tubs of spinach or broccoli's a good idea. And nobody wants to eat cauliflower while watching Spider-Man or drink a 40-ounce cup of prune juice."

-- Richard Verrier

Photo: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[David]

You've got to be kidding. Popcorn and candy are integral to the movie treat experience. If one is using good judgement and making good choices in his or her regular diet, an occasional splurge on a tub of popcorn or a box of Milk Duds at the movies isn't going to be the obesity deal-breaker. We don't go to the movies to talk with the food police. :)

[Nightcrawler]

This is absurd. Movie theatres have been serving popcorn, candy, etc. for DECADES before the obesity epidemic began. People do not consume the majority of their food at movie theatres; per person, it amounts for only a tiny fraction of overall food consumption.

I don't even buy anything when I go watch a movie; it's already expensive just to walk in the door. No way am I going to spend another $10 on popcorn and a soda.

[hbwarden]

I would like to see some healthy options, but this headline is misleading. Popcorn isn't even bad for you.

[Movie Goer]

So offer healthier, just as expensive snacks, so health conscious people like me don't bring in a single serving bag of nuts. If you cared about my health so much I should be allowed to bring what I want from home and not get raped at the concession stand.

[Joe Torre]

How about better movies Michael? But I am with you on the seriousness of the Theater chains Greedy attitude where they serve crappy stale popcorn for $5.00 that cost 25-50 cents

[Popper]

Popcorn itself is healthy, but movie popcorn is outrageously BAD. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says:

"Regal’s medium and large sizes each had 1,200 calories and, thanks to being popped in coconut oil, 60 grams of saturated fat... A "small" at Regal has 670 calories and 34 grams of saturated fat."

The full story: http://www.cspinet.org/new/200911182.html

Getting movie-theater chains to offer healthy popcorn would be a great step forward.

[JM]

I don't get it: what does eating popcorn and drinking soda have to do with watching a movie? Are you so programmed that you can't watch a story or a sporting event without your nachos and fake cheese, your hot dogs and your popcorn?? I went to hear the Dalai Lama speak a few weeks ago at the Gibson Amphitheater and even there people were snacking and drinking beer and soda. Weird... Personally, I'd be happy if there weren't any snacks available for purchase in the theaters, but I understand they have to make a living. However, don't go talking about popcorn, soda and movies like it's the Holy Trinity and therefore covered by the U.S. Constitution!

[Smith]

Brewskis @ the movies!

[Grandpa]

I watch all my movies with a 40-ounce cup of prune juice.

[David]

Theaters do not need to get rid of popcorn; they should get rid of the butter and imitation butter -- which is what makes the popcorn unhealthy. In addition, they should eradicate soda and candy -- both are crap and very unhealthy -- and replace them with healthier items.

Just because popcorn, candy, and soda have historically been sold does NOT mean they need to continually be sold. There comes a time for change. Sony Picture's ideas are truly wonderful -- and the time has come.

[veggieMovies]

Bravo....I personally prefer healthier options.. a large bucket of popcorn is the equivalent of eating 3 McDonald Big Macs...thank goodness Sony is taking the lead in this fight against child obesity!!!

[Sabrina]

It's not the popcorn that is bad per se. It's the way it's prepared. Airpopped popcorn is fine. Just leave off the butter and excess salt.

[Mike]

This is poor journalism. The headline of the article is not at all what Mr. Lynton said and misleads the reader to believe there is some explosive issue here rather than a simple request. Alliteration is cute, Mr. Verrier, but not at the expense of truth.

[sebastian]

Sever whatever you want to serve - but please leave the popcorn and fake butter the way it is. i sometimes go to the movies just for the popcorn and extra butter. and now that we are talking about it, i want some movie theater flavored butter popcorn!! with so much butter it leaks through and stains my shirt!

[Niko]

Edamame would be a great movie food!

[Ricardo Soliz]

Why does it have to be all or nothing? Perhaps the movie theatres can think of evolving their menus the way that McDonald's has. Perhaps there's a more health conscious way to do popcorn, and market it as "low fat." Also, maybe there are more healthy snacks that can be developed (pita chips and hummous?) that may lead to the next generation's version of popcorn/candy/soda...more solutions, less griping...

[jimmy]

Movie theater popcorn is truly the best. I've bought all sorts of store popcorn and none of it tastes as good as the theater popcorn. When the movie isn't great, at least there is the popcorn. If they suddenly changed the popcorn to some healthier style or whatever, I would have less incentive to go see a movie

[Milo]

This is not absurd . Why do you ultra consumers have to eat while watching a movie its ridiculous . There is nothing more annoying than some freak sitting behind you and rummaging through plastic wrappers the whole show . By the way for sure get rid of the hot dogs those just dont smell right . America is really fat for a reason just take a look around next time in the movies . Bring yourself a bottle of water or cup of coffee and watch the movie .

[MotherLodeBeth]

Its not just obesity but various other health issues that make it hard to find anything to eat when at the movies. At least allow people to bring their own fresh fruit and water.

[ken]

I'm with Milo.. Noisy pigs chomping their noisy bags of food is one reason we don't go to public theaters much anymore - that and all the in-movie phone calls. It's either screenings where it's quiet because people are there to see the film or DVD in the home theater

[Gary]

Just because a few fat, lazy tubs can't control themselves doesn't mean the rest of us have to lose the time-honored traditions. Of course, if theaters would do away with pre-made popcorn and that fake imitation topping that tastes like cat pee, and go back to actual butter (like the Arclight and Landmark have,) we'd really have a better argument against getting rid of it. All those fatsos who can't fit in the theater seats have the right not to buy sodas and popcorn. Maybe they should "exercise" their rights along with their increasingly fatter behinds.

BTW, most chains, like AMC, have a kids menu. It has the normal-sized human portions, and lower prices. Look there if you're worried about your waist-size.

[Corean for Coco]

Kimchi fried rice with a sunny side egg on top.
That should be the one and only thing served in a movie theater.
and it better have spam in it.

[Peaches]

What Movie? I wouldn't go to a theater these days if they paid me!

[Peter]

Put Jamba Juice in theatres!!! Nothing beats their healthy menu. Plus I own stock in Jamba and it will soar if this happens!!!!

[Drew]

Though the title is misleading it would seem everyone in here glossed over what he actually said. "Adding healthier options to your existing menu is the right thing to do for our industry, for audiences and for our country," This is not get rid of the popcorn. This is add options to the EXISTING menu that are healthier. So fear not, tub lovers.