If you’re like me, you can’t watch a movie without a bowl or bucket of popcorn to munch on. Popcorn is just a part of the whole experience, it’s what makes the theater experience a treat! When I went vegan, I feared that meant I couldn’t enjoy popcorn at the movies any more. At first, I started to sneak in my own. Then I learned that movie theater popcorn isn’t always cooked in or topped with dairy-based butter!

So, to save you the leg work, I’ve been running around confirming with different Baltimore-area theatres that their popcorn either is, or is not suitable for vegans. Where possible, I’m providing the documentation so you can follow up and rest assured while making a decision you feel comfortable about. My research is incomplete at this point, but I will continue to provide new information as it becomes available to me.

The movie theatres I’ve researched include those listed below. Click on the theatre name to see what I’ve uncovered so far!

• AMC
• The Charles
• CinéBistro
• Cinemark 
• Flagship Cinemas
• Hoyts
• Landmark Theatres
• Regal Cinemas
• The Senator Theatre

AMC Loews, Security Square & White Marsh

Security Square, 1717 N Rolling Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244
(410) 298-7533

The Avenue at White Marsh, 8141 Honeygo Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21236
(410) 933-9428

Is the popcorn vegan? Yes, their popcorn is cooked in coconut oil. The buttery topping is not vegan.

[See documentation.]

The Charles, Station North

1711 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 727-3464

Is the popcorn vegan? Yes. It’s cooked in canola oil. The butter is not vegan.

[See documentation.]

CinéBistro, The Rotunda/Hampden

727 W 40th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
(667) 219-2434

Cinemark, Towson

111 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21286
(410) 828-1262

Is the popcorn vegan? Emailed 2/24/17.

Flagship Cinemas, Eastpoint

7938 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 284-3100

Is the popcorn vegan? The Director of Concessions and Purchasing replied to an email and was able to provide documentation which included ingredients and nutrition facts for the popcorn, the cooking oil (canola), the butter, and the butter salt. All four spec sheets had a stamp “vegan approved” at the bottom. However, both the butter and the salt use yellow #5 and #6 color which, to my understanding, are tested on animals. I would personally feel comfortable with the popcorn, but hesitant about the toppings.

[See documentation.]

Hoyts Cimenas 14, Linthicum Heights

1591 W Nursery Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
(410) 850-8999

Is the popcorn vegan? Inquiring. Contacted via a website contact form on 3/5/17.

Landmark Theatres, Harbor East

645 S President St, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 244-6636

[ See documentation.]

Regal Cinemas, Hunt Valley

11511 McCormick Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21030
(844) 462-7342

Is the popcorn vegan? Contacted via webform 3/5/17.

The Senator Theatre, Towson

5904 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 323-4424

Documentation

AMC Theatres

SUN 3/5/17 4:52PM
From: Megan

Hello, I can’t find a contact form on your website. I’d like to know if your popcorn is vegan? What oil is it cooked in, and is the buttery topping vegan? Specifically, for the locations in and around Baltimore, MD. I am using this information to share publicly on my website. Thank you.
MON 1:41PM

From: AMC Theatres
Hi Megan, thanks for reaching out. I’ll look into this and will get back to you once I have something to share! -Liz

MON 3/6/17  9:11PM
From: Megan

Thank you, Liz!

TUE 3/7/17 3:13PM
From: AMC Theatres

Hi Megan! I just wanted to let you know we haven’t forgotten about you. I’m still looking into this, and will follow up with you once I have something to share – thanks for the patience! -Liz

THU 3/9/17 3:16PM
From: AMC Theatres

Hi Megan, I wanted to let you know that coconut oil is the type of oil we use, and the buttery topping is not vegan. Thanks! -LizSeen by AMC Theatres at Thursday 3:16pm

SAT 3/11/17 7:27PM
From: Megan

Thanks so much! I appreciate you investigating this!

For my intel on the CinéBistro, I had to make a phone call. The emails were bouncing back and they weren’t responding on Facebook—they’ve only been open for one week, so I’ll cut some slack. However, I will post updated information if/when they do email me back.

From the Charles Theatre: <charlestheatre@yahoo.com>

Our popcorn is cooked in canola oil, so by itself it is vegan. Customers add butter at their discretion and our butter is not vegan-friendly. But I never add butter on my popcorn and think it tastes great the way it is.

Best,
Brianna Giarratano
General Manager, Charles Theater

Flagship Cinemas, Eastpoint

from: Desmond Asberry <desmonda@flagshipcinemas.com>
to: crunchyvegangal@gmail.com
date: Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 11:38 AM
subject: Popcorn Information

Hello,

Please see the attachment provided with all of our popcorn products. All of our popcorn is suitable for Vegans. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,
Desmond Asberry
Flagship Cinemas
Director of Concessions and Purchasing
7938 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
C-484-650-9042

Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2016 5:42 PM
To: Megan Griffith
Subject: RE: Contact Us: Baltimore: Harbor East

Our Harbor East location uses a Butter Topping (butter substitute) that is non dairy and soybean-based. I have included a link for more information as I am assuming you are wondering if the product is vegan and I am not 100% sure that any additives are OK.

http://www.popntop.com/documents/Odells-SuperKistNT.pdf

I also wanted to let you know that many of our locations do use REAL butter as a topping so if you visit other Landmark Theatres please make sure to ask the staff or management (they should be able to let you know).

I hope this helps

Enjoy the show!

Thank you
Customer Service

The Senator, Towson

SUN 3/5/17 5:10PM
From: Megan

Hello, I’m writing a piece for my website on which Baltimore-area movie theaters have vegan popcorn/popcorn butter. Harbor East Landmark, and Hunt Valley Regal have both confirmed that their popcorn is vegan-friendly.

Is your popcorn and popcorn butter vegan? Would you be willing to share the ingredients?

Additionally, if there are any other vegan items (e.g., pretzels or something) on the menu which you’d like me to advertise on my site, please let me know.

Thank you!

From: The Senator Theatre

Thanks for messaging us. We try to be as responsive as possible. We’ll get back to you soon.

THU, 3/9/17  11:53AM

Sorry for the delay, Megan. Our popcorn is definitely vegan-friendly. We use canola oil to make the popcorn and the buttery topping is a soy-based oil. Also, we only offer Soda, popcorn and candy at the concession stand. Hope this helps (and that I’ve submitted it in time.) Thanks for the inquiry!