How many calories does a small Cinemark popcorn have?

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to official Cinemark nutrition information, a standard small bag of popcorn contains 700 calories before any additional buttery topping. That's the baseline to consider when asking how many calories does a small Cinemark popcorn have, but the real final total can climb much higher with extra flavorings.

Quick Summary

A standard small Cinemark popcorn bag contains 700 calories, with the total dramatically increasing depending on how much buttery topping is added. The popcorn is cooked in canola oil, a healthier option than coconut oil used by other theaters. The buttery topping can add hundreds of calories and grams of fat. Choosing smaller sizes or going without the topping can significantly reduce the intake.

Key Points

Small Bag Calories: A small Cinemark popcorn bag contains 700 calories before adding any buttery topping.
Topping Impact: The optional buttery topping adds approximately 130 calories per tablespoon, drastically increasing the total calorie count.
Popping Oil: Cinemark pops its popcorn in non-hydrogenated canola oil, which is a healthier alternative to the coconut oil used by some other chains.
Size Discrepancy: The Junior bag contains 350 calories, while the medium and large sizes are significantly higher, reaching 1,260 and 1,400 calories, respectively, without extra toppings.
Healthier Alternative: Skipping the buttery topping is the most effective way to reduce the calorie and fat content of your popcorn.
Custom Options: You can request a batch with less or no salt to manage sodium intake.

The Official Cinemark Nutrition Breakdown

When it comes to movie theater snacks, popcorn is a classic—and a major source of calories. While many assume that the size of the box corresponds to a manageable snack, the reality can be quite different. A glance at Cinemark's nutritional guide reveals that a small bag of popcorn is not as modest as it might seem. A single, small bag contains 700 calories. This is the calorie count for the popcorn alone, popped in canola oil and likely seasoned with salt, but without the optional buttery flavor topping.

What Adds to the Popcorn's Calorie Count?

Several factors contribute to the final calorie count of a Cinemark popcorn. The type of oil used for popping, the salt, and most significantly, the generous application of the buttery topping all play a role.

Popping Oil: Cinemark sets itself apart from some other chains by using non-hydrogenated canola oil instead of the highly saturated coconut oil. While this is a healthier choice, canola oil is still a fat and contributes substantially to the overall calorie and fat content.
Buttery Flavored Topping: This is the most calorie-dense addition. The 'buttery' topping is a flavored oil that customers can add freely. Each tablespoon of this topping adds approximately 130 calories. A single moviegoer could easily add multiple tablespoons, causing the calorie count to skyrocket. This topping is a primary driver of the significant calorie difference between plain and 'buttered' popcorn.
Salt: The popcorn is also seasoned with salt. While this adds very few calories, it significantly increases the sodium content, which can be a concern for blood pressure. The combination of salt and oil creates the highly addictive flavor profile.

Comparison of Cinemark Popcorn Sizes

Understanding the calorie counts for different sizes can help moviegoers make more informed decisions. The calorie content doesn't increase in a linear fashion, and the largest sizes often contain more than what one person should reasonably consume in a single sitting.

Size-by-size Breakdown

Junior Bag: This is the smallest size available and contains 350 calories before adding any topping. This is still a significant number but is the most manageable option for someone watching their intake.
Small Bag: As established, this option clocks in at 700 calories without the topping. Adding just a few tablespoons of buttery topping could push this total well over 1,000 calories.
Medium Bag: A medium bag contains a staggering 1,260 calories. This amount is more than half of the recommended daily calories for many adults and highlights the scale of movie snack sizes.
Large Tub: The large tub is the biggest standard option, offering 1,400 calories before any additions. With the possibility of free refills, as offered by some chains, the potential calorie intake is unlimited.

Table: Cinemark Popcorn Calorie Comparison


Size	Approximate Cups	Calories (without topping)	Calories per 1 Tbsp Topping	Calories (with estimated 3 Tbsp topping)
Junior Bag	8	350	130	740
Small Bag	11.25	700	130	1,090
Medium Bag	18.75	1,260	130	1,650
Large Tub	26.25	1,400	130	1,790

Healthier Choices at the Movies

For those who want to enjoy a film without the high calorie and sodium load of a standard Cinemark popcorn, there are smarter choices to be made. Even if you love popcorn, you can mitigate the impact of the snack.

Here are some tips for a healthier movie experience:

Go Without Topping: The easiest and most impactful way to reduce calories is to skip the buttery flavored topping entirely. Cinemark's popcorn is still flavorful on its own.
Opt for the Junior Bag: The smallest option provides a satisfying snack for a fraction of the calories found in larger sizes. This is a simple form of portion control.
Share with a Friend: Splitting a small bag with a companion immediately cuts the calorie count in half. Consider sharing a drink as well to further reduce calories and sugar intake.
Ask for No Salt: Cinemark employees are usually able to pop a batch without salt upon request. This is an excellent choice for anyone monitoring their sodium intake.
Bring Your Own Snacks: Some moviegoers choose to bring healthier, single-serving snacks from home. Air-popped popcorn, unsalted nuts, or dried fruit can provide a satisfying crunch without the high fat and sodium content.

For a complete list of official nutritional details, you can visit the Cinemark website.

Conclusion

While a movie and popcorn go hand-in-hand for many, it's important to be aware of the nutritional reality. A small Cinemark popcorn contains 700 calories without the buttery topping, a number that can easily swell to over 1,000 with even a modest amount of extra flavoring. By being mindful of portion sizes and additions, moviegoers can still enjoy their snack while making a healthier choice. The official nutritional information provided by Cinemark is the most reliable resource for making these decisions and understanding what is really in your bucket of popcorn.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small Cinemark popcorn bag has 700 calories before topping. Since each tablespoon of topping adds 130 calories, adding just a few tablespoons could easily push the total to over 1,000 calories.

Cinemark uses non-hydrogenated canola oil for popping, which is considered a healthier choice than the coconut oil used by some other major chains. However, the calorie count remains very high, especially with added toppings.

A Junior bag of Cinemark popcorn, the smallest size, contains 350 calories without any buttery topping.

Yes, it is possible to request a batch of popcorn with less or no salt at Cinemark. Staff at the concession stand can accommodate this request.

The buttery flavored topping is a flavored oil. Since customers often pump their own topping, they can add an excessive amount. Each tablespoon contains 130 calories, quickly increasing the total snack's energy content.

A small Cinemark popcorn has 700 calories, while a medium bag contains 1,260 calories, nearly double the amount without any additional topping.

Cinemark primarily offers a buttery flavored topping, which is a flavored oil. However, at some locations, a real butter option may be available, which significantly impacts the saturated fat content.