A Definitive Ranking of Popcorn Brands
Today (Jan. 19) is National Popcorn Day.
As certified popcorn lovers, it's hard to imagine a universe where someone doesn't like this snack. It's so versatile. You can keep it simple with a classic buttery bag, or you can make it salty and savory by adding cheese, and that's not the end of its capabilities—you can make it sweet, too. The possibilities are endless.
Our mouth is watering just from writing this paragraph. We have to celebrate today's holiday by doing something spectacular. How about trying as many popcorn brands as we can find? That sounds like a good idea to us.
You couldn't see it by reading this paragraph, but that's exactly what we did. Continue reading to discover our findings in this definitive ranking.
8. Crunch 'n Munch
Spoiler alert: there's not a single brand on this list that we don't enjoy. But one brand has to land at the bottom spot. Unfortunately, it's Crunch 'n Munch. These days, we don't often crave caramel popcorn. It is good—we just aren't always in the mood for it. And between the other brands we tried (more on that later), Crunch 'n Munch didn't taste as fresh and flavorful.
Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Wilde Protein Chips Flavor
7. Lesser Evil
In 2024, we vowed to have better dietary habits. Theoretically, Lesser Evil should be up our alley. This popcorn uses non-vegetable oils to "boost the nutritional value." Sadly, it left the popcorn tasting a bit bland. Don't get us wrong—the texture of it was still delightful. It was light and fluffy. They have so many great flavors, like their Matcha White Chocolate. Maybe they should use more seasoning?
6. Cracker Jack
Remember that other brand of caramel popcorn we mentioned? It was Cracker Jack. We thought this brand had a much richer caramel flavor. The crunch was equally satisfying, and it might get a few extra nostalgia points because it brought us back to our childhood days of visiting baseball games. We're still not a huge fan of caramel popcorn, though.
5. Skinny Pop
Skinny Pop sneaks up on you because it's a guilt-free brand. One minute, you're sitting there with a shiny new bag. Two hours later, you've accidentally eaten the whole bag. We don't even like the popcorn that well. But hey, since it brainwashes us, it must be pretty decent.
4. Angie's Boom Chicka Pop
Boom Chicka Pop is like the mildly better version of Skinny Pop. However, it's unpredictable. We can't differentiate between their butter popcorn and Skinny Pop. However, when you try their kettle corn, you can definitely tell. It's salty and sweet, one of our favorite combinations, and a smidge softer.
Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Wilde Protein Chips Flavor
3. Pirate's Booty
Can Pirate's Booty technically count as popcorn? We're not sure, but we're including it anyway! This brand is puffed rice and corn, similar to a Cheeto Puff. When you bite into it, it's chewing on a cloud. The white cheddar is surprisingly good, too, because it's not overwhelmingly cheesy.
2. Smartfood
Smartfood is another classic brand. We've eaten this since we were kids. It's one of the "healthier" brands, but you can't tell. It has more flavor in its white cheddar bag than all the healthy brands combined. We tried their Marshmallow Hot Cocoa bag—heaven on earth—and they somehow made sweet popcorn without that unpleasant sticky texture (as seen in caramel popcorn).
1. Rob's Backstage Popcorn
It's the one you've been waiting for: Rob's Backstage Popcorn. The Jonas Brothers created this brand alongside Rob Garbowsky, the father of their longtime friend and ex-bass guitarist, Greg. We would have never guessed that they would be so amazing at creating popcorn.
They have the most unique and vibrant flavors, including a BBQ-inspired bag with Kelly Clarkson and an Indian-inspired one with Priyanka Chopra, with great texture. You won't be disappointed with any that you choose.
Curious about our other favorite snacks? Read HERE to learn more about the best food and drinks we tried in December 2023.