Ghostbusters popcorn bucket starts war with Dune fans

Everyone’s been talking about the Dune popcorn bucket, but the new Ghostbusters version has fans battling over which piece of merchandise is better.

The popcorn bucket wars have begun. Initially, it looked like nothing could top the Dune 2 tie-in. From memes to full-blown SNL sketches, everyone was obsessed with the questionable design of the sci-fi merch. However, there’s a new popcorn bucket in town, and it’s coming for Dune’s crown.

To celebrate the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, theaters are selling a Slimer popcorn bucket. The bucket, which is based on the design of the classic ghost, has quickly made the rounds on social media, and it’s easy to see why. With neon green skin and eyes that can penetrate the depths of your soul, he’s a little off-putting.

Over on X, moviegoers are split between standing strong for the Dune monstrosity and pledging their loyalty to Slimer and his popcorn dispensing ways.

Ghostbusters and Dune fans battle over best popcorn bucket

After the design of the Ghostbusters popcorn bucket made its way to social media, fans were quick to compare it to the infamous Dune bucket, with the two fandoms divided by which one is best.

Quickly, the bucket attracted a multitude of responses, with a split among moviegoers over which one is the better product tie-in. One user summarized the debate perfectly with their post: “Slimer son or Dune daughter.”

Many Dune fans were instantly put-off by the Ghostbusters counterpart, expressing their disdain towards a popcorn bucket that would even dare try to compete with their beloved sandworm design.

“Viscerally upsetting in a way the Dune worm bucket is not,” one user wrote. “I don’t want to look at this thing puking popcorn. Disgusting. I hope whoever designed this falls down the stairs.”

“Lacks the edge that made Dune popcorn bucket a star,” said another.

“You’ll never be her,” one comment said, accompanied by a picture of the now-famous Dune popcorn bucket.

However, the Ghostbusters merchandise did have its defenders. In fact, many fans made the case that the it managed to outshine the Dune creation.

“Now THIS is a popcorn bucket. Dune, take notes,” said one comment, while another user wrote: “Need doesn’t quite express the level of desire I have rn.”

“Dune: you’ll never get over our popcorn bucket. Ghostbusters: hold my popcorn,” another said.

Ultimately, maybe the war between the Ghostbusters and Dune fans is a needless one. After all, can we ever have too many cool popcorn buckets? Surely they’re able to co-exist. As one comment diplomatically said: “The dudes who collect these gotta have the greatest shelves of all time.”

Of course, there are always the outliers, too. Some moviegoers can’t fathom the idea of spending so much money on a piece of merch, and would rather take the good ol’ fashioned approach.

“No thanks just put mine in a regular popcorn bucket thanks,” one user said.

Whether you’re up for collecting the Ghostbusters and Dune buckets (and beyond), it’s hard not to acknowledge the genius in these products. They’ve got people talking, and if that translates to audiences flocking to theaters, then the more the merrier.