Hi there! I'm Glad you asked! My name is Orville Redenbacher, and I'm a popcorn connoisseur. I've dedicated my life to understanding the nuances of this incredible snack, and when it comes to popcorn, size definitely matters!

You want to know how many cups are in a "small" movie theater popcorn? Well, that's where things get a little tricky, and frankly, a bit buttery! Let me break it down for you:

The Elusive "Small"

First off, the concept of a "small" popcorn can vary wildly between theaters. It's like saying "a handful of popcorn" – my hands are much bigger than yours, probably! What one theater considers small, another might call "child-size," while yet another might not even offer a size that small.

Volume vs. Weight

Second, we need to be clear about what we mean by "cups." Are we talking about volume (the space the popcorn takes up) or weight? Popcorn is incredibly light and airy, especially when it's freshly popped. A "cup" of popcorn by volume might only weigh a few ounces.

The Factors at Play

Several factors influence how much popcorn you actually get:

* The Theater Chain: Larger chains often have standardized sizes, while smaller, independent theaters might have more flexibility.
* The Popcorn Bucket: Some theaters use those iconic conical buckets, while others use tubs or boxes. The shape and size of the container can significantly impact how much popcorn fits inside.
* Popping Method: Air-popped popcorn is generally denser than oil-popped, meaning you get less volume for the same weight. Movie theaters typically use oil poppers.
* Butter (Oh, the Butter!): Ah, the golden nectar of the movies! The amount of butter (or "topping" as some theaters like to call it) can drastically affect the volume of your popcorn. A generous drenching of buttery goodness can make a small popcorn look deceptively large.

So, How Many Cups?

While I can't give you an exact number of cups, here's a rough estimate based on my extensive popcorn knowledge:

* Small Popcorn (without butter): Could range anywhere from 4 to 7 cups by volume.
* Small Popcorn (with butter): Add another 2-3 cups in volume, depending on the butter situation.

The Bottom Line

The best way to know how much popcorn you're getting is to simply ask at the theater! Don't be afraid to inquire about the size of their small popcorn or if they have different size options. After all, knowledge is power, my friend, especially when it comes to popcorn!

Now, if you'll excuse me, all this talk about popcorn has made me hungry. Time for a snack!
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Translation: A "small" popcorn (that's about 11 cups' worth) with no buttery topping has 34 grams of saturated fat. So even if you split it with a friend (unlikely), you each get nearly a day's worth of artery paste. And it gets worse from there. A "medium" (20 cups) or a "large" (also 20 cups) has 60 grams of sat fat.read more >>