Movie Popcorn and Candy

Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Oct 6, 2008

Recently, a New York judge ruled that a man attempting to sue a movie theater because he needed dental repairs totaling $1,250 U.S. from eating unpopped popcorn kernels didn’t have a legitimate case. In this Associated Press story, the Manhattan Civil Court judge ruled that the man could not reasonably expect every kernel to be popped in the box that he purchased at the theater.

It’s a shame that he broke a tooth, but realistically, everyone should know that attempting to pry open the duds at the bottom of the popcorn box is asking for trouble. Popcorn is such a problematic food that most orthodontists prohibit their patients from eating it the entire time they’re wearing braces.

Thankfully this case was thrown out of court. If the man had won, we could expect a barrage of similar cases, with newspaper headlines like the following:

The facts about movie food are quite simple: These are treats, often unhealthy and always overpriced, designed to enhance the movie-going experience. Like everything else associated with entertainment, moviegoers need to eat, drink, and watch at their own risk.