Halloween isn't the only day of sweets that crops up late in the year. November 4 is National Candy Day, and we're excited to share our love of colorful snacks with all our guests. We've compiled data from Cinemark locations around the country to see what people consider to be the best candy for the movie theater.
Check out the results, and learn a bit more about each of the most popular candies. When you're ready to go to the theater, you can keep these popular candies in mind as you pre-buy using our Snacks in a Tap system. Choose your snacks at the same time as you buy your movie tickets, and your choices will be waiting when you arrive for the movie.
The Most Popular Movie Candy in Each State
So what is the most popular candy? At Cinemark, the biggest seller is Peanut M&Ms by a long shot.
But that's not the most popular candy in each state nationwide. Other concenters for the top spot are Red Vines, Twizzlers, Buncha Crunch, and Cookie Dough Bites. The popularity of Red Vines vs Twizzlers is a long-standing topic of contention among movie fans, who often have a strong preference for one over the other.
When Did National Candy Day First Take Place?
National Candy Day dates back to 1916 when the idea of a candy-oriented holiday was first proposed. (By candy makers, naturally.) At the time, candy was largely a local or regional product, with sweets delivered fresh to shops weekly, if not daily. Over time the production of candy became a national affair, with packaged treats that stayed fresh on the shelf for much longer. That might have made the first National Candy Day program more viable, if it weren't for Halloween. October 31 gained ground as a sweet-fueled celebration.
The newer idea of National Candy Day falling on November 4 is difficult to trace, surprisingly. But it seems to have started about 20 years ago. Now we celebrate National Candy day on the 4th, which is like a lovely coda to Halloween. It's also a great excuse to enjoy your favorite candy at the movies.
The History of the Most Popular Movie Candy
M&Ms
The precise origin of M&Ms is difficult to pinpoint. Reportedly, Forrest Mars Sr., the son of the founder of the Mars candy company, saw Spanish soldiers eating sugar-coated candies in the 1930s. But that story may actually be a cover for the fact that a rival company created Smarties in 1937, and Mars wanted to compete.
Regardless, Forrest Mars devised a means to make M&Ms at scale in 1941, and the rest is history. The two "M"s in the title stand for Mars and Murrie. The latter is Bruce Murrie, whose father was the president of Hershey's. That famous chocolate company provided the chocolate in M&Ms until 1949.
Peanut M&Ms were the first alternate version of the hard-shelled candy — now the varieties seem nearly endless — but even those took time to create. Peanut M&Ms were first available in 1954.
Red Vines
The American Licorice Company originally made only classic black licorice, just like everyone else. It was crafted daily for many years, but during World War II the company developed a packaged licorice. In the 1950s, Raspberry Vines were added to the company's lineup, and in 1958 the candy was rechristened as Red Vines.
Twizzlers
Like Red Vines, Twizzlers were born decades ago. The company that originally created the confection, Young and Smylie, was founded in 1845. Eventually, it was renamed Y&S. The company's signature Twizzlers style candy — originally available in black licorice flavor — was introduced in 1929. Unlike chocolate, Twizzlers would remain stable at high temperatures, which gave the candy a competitive edge. The now-ubiquitous strawberry flavor was created in the mid- to late-1970s. In 1977, Hershey's bought the company, which increased the candy's distribution dramatically.
Buncha Crunch
The Nestle's Crunch bar was distinctive for decades thanks to its packaging, which nestled a foil-wrapped chocolate bar inside a paper sleeve. Many things have changed in the Cryuunch world. The packaging is simpler, which makes things easier on the manufacturing side. And in the United States, Nestle's name is no longer on the wrapper, as Crunch products are sold by Ferrara Candy Company.
There is something unique about Buncha Crunch, however, which is like the classic candy in nugget form. The candy, created in 1994, was originally available exclusively in movie theatres. That has also changed — you can buy Buncha Crunch at the grocery store, too — but clearly this sweet remains one of the best movie theatre candies thanks to its unique origin.