The magic of a movie night isn’t just in the flickering images on the screen; it’s also in the popcorn, candy, and sodas that double the fun. While we all have a soft spot for those classic snacks we’ve grown up munching in the dark, it’s a well-known secret that not all treats are created equal. So, before you part with your next mortgage payment in exchange for that oversized snack combo, let’s rundown which ones people really don’t like and should be avoided.
Raisinets
While combining fruit and chocolate might seem like a good idea, this combination probably could’ve worked if it were any other dried fruit besides raisins. Considering the amount of raisin haters in the world, we’re not sure why movie snack creators thought this one was a good idea. They couldn’t have picked something more universally accepted in the world of fruit like cherries or cranberries?
Hot Dogs
Anyone who gets hot food at a movie theater deserves a side eye but people who order hot dogs are on a whole other level of gross. Thanks for making the entire theater smell that stench for two hours or more. Not to mention, do you really trust the quality or food safety of the teenagers behind the counter selling this stuff?
Junior Mints
If you’re a chocolate and mint person, Junior Mints might be your jam, but for most of us this candy hovers more on the toothpaste tasting line than sweet treat. They’re also notorious for melting together and making a mess in your hands during the movie so when the lights turn up at the end you find your shirt or pants smeared in chocolate.
Nachos
Movie theaters are not restaurants and nothing exemplifies this more than the pathetic movie theater tray of nachos. Nachos at the movies are usually simplified down to a mound of tortilla chips with a cup of fake nacho cheese sauce on the side. If that’s your thing, go for it, but we’d rather go out after the movie and dive into a plate of real nachos. Plus, the crunching during the movie isn’t something any row-mate enjoys.
Potato Chips
Another crunchy option that should be banned due to the noise distraction in the theater is a bag of potato chips. The crunch of potato chips might sound satisfying, but in the silent suspense of a movie theater, it’s anything but. The constant rustling of hands in the bag and the loud crunching can disrupt not just your own focus, but that of others around you. Plus, the greasy residue they leave behind can turn your movie-watching experience into an oily ordeal.
SweeTarts
SweeTarts may win some points for their perfectly balanced sour kick, steering clear of overwhelming the palate. However, the real setback lies in their texture. Their chalkiness is largely due to maltodextrin, a substance that zealously saps moisture, transforming your mouth into a desert after just a few pieces. While tolerable and even enjoyable in small doses, such as the tiny packets from Halloween, a whole box during a movie can leave you longing for relief from their parching effect.
Mike and Ike
These colorful candies boast a burst of fruit flavors, but their stickiness and the effort needed to chew them can be off-putting. Unlike some other fruit candies, Mike and Ike’s different colors actually taste different too but they’re a sugar crash waiting to happen. Eat the whole box and you may end up passed out midway through the plot.
Twizzlers
Twizzlers, with their distinctive chewy texture are more reminiscent of chewing plastic than food. Not to mention, could a candy maker pick a more polarizing flavor than licorice? The coolest thing about a Twizzler is biting off the end and using it as a straw. Beyond that, this candy has no place in a movie theater or elsewhere. Yes, that’s how strongly we feel about it.
Slushies
Slushies might seem like a cool, refreshing choice for a movie drink, but the loud slurping sounds and the inevitable brain freeze can detract from the experience. Plus, movie theaters are notoriously kept at ice box levels. Do you really want to add to that by slurping down a frozen drink? You’ll be shivering the entire movie!
Gummy Bears
Bright and fruity, these chewy treats are a silent movie’s worst nightmare. The stickiness and the effort to pry them off your teeth can be distracting, not just to you but potentially to others. That said, we’ll take them over a Mike and Ike any day.
Sno-Caps
Sno-Caps, those nostalgic nonpareils whose name suggests unparalleled flavor, might benefit from a humility check. Made with semi-sweet chocolate, a departure from the usual milk chocolate found in theaters, they unfortunately lack depth in taste. While the bittersweet notion is appealing to anyone over the age of 16, the reality is a bland chocolate base sprinkled with equally flavorless white dots. Despite their lower fat content, a perk hardly sought after in cinema snacks, Sno-Caps seem to ride solely on their vintage charm.
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Read it Here: 10 Fast Food Fries Ranked From No, Thanks To Yes, Please!
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See them all here: We Stuffed Our Faces to Rank The 10 Best Fast Food Sandwich Chains
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Let’s face it, when we think fast food, it’s the burgers and fries that usually steal the show. But what about the unsung heroes of the menu, those side dishes that can turn a quick meal into something special? From the crispy, golden perfection of onion rings to the fluffy, buttery bliss of biscuits, there’s a whole world of flavor waiting to be explored. We’re diving into some of the most delicious and underrated fast food sides out there.
See them all here: The Best Fast Food Sides That Go Beyond Fries
Images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
