Best Butter Microwave Popcorn Brands

Popcorn is the ultimate movie night snack. There's just something about the smell of plain popcorn popping and the taste of hot, salty, buttery kernels that enhances the movie-watching experience. While movie theater popcorn is hard to beat, the convenience of microwave popcorn makes it a top choice for home viewing. With many different brands on the market, it can be tough to choose the best one that balances flavor and texture while also using natural ingredients, if possible. Worry not, as we are here to help you decide which are the best popcorn options out there.

Factors Evaluated

But before we go to the list, here are three key factors that should be considered when determining the best microwavable popcorn options: flavor, texture, and value.

For optimal flavor, the popcorn should have a rich, indulgent butter taste similar to movie theater popcorn and not fake butter. Balanced saltiness is preferred, as too much salt can overpower the butter.

The best texture is both light and crisp. The popcorn should crunch when bitten but have a tender, airy interior that practically melts in the mouth. Dense, chewy pieces are less desirable. Also, look for minimal unpopped kernels and loose hulls that can get stuck in teeth. Consistent texture from bite to bite is key.

To evaluate value, the cost per bag should be weighed against the overall quality. Larger bag sizes, multi-pack savings, lower absolute dollar amounts, and store brands tend to offer greater value. Taste and texture should align with the price point - premium quality is expected from pricier bags. More flavors and dietary options for the cost add value.

By ranking microwave popcorn based on these criteria of flavor, texture, and value, the optimal combination of great butter taste, light and crunchy texture, and reasonable pricing can be determined. The goal is microwave popcorn that enhances the movie night experience.

Top 10 Best Microwave Butter Popcorn

From classic brands like Orville Redenbacher's and Jolly Time to grocery store varieties, here are our top picks for microwave butter popcorn based on flavor, texture, and value:

Orville Redenbacher's Ultimate Butter

Orville Redenbacher has been a household name for years, and its Ultimate Butter variant stands testament to the brand's commitment to taste. Movie nights become all the more indulgent when you're munching on these fluffy kernels coated with a rich buttery flavor. Every bite is reminiscent of the best microwave popcorn brands you've encountered, with its deep, saturated butter taste making each bite a cinematic popcorn experience. At around $0.70 per bag, you're not just paying for a delicious snack, but also for the nostalgia Orville Redenbacher evokes. While it does contain artificial preservatives, the overall taste might make you overlook that minor drawback, as it tastes like real butter. If you're a true butter lover, this bag encapsulates everything you're looking for: the right amount of butter, a hint of sea salt, and the comforting crunch of every kernel.

Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter

When it comes to popular brands of microwave popcorn, Orville Redenbacher consistently tops the list, and their Movie Theater Butter variant is a testament to that legacy. Designed to transport you directly to the cinemas, each bag recreates the movie theater experience right from the comfort of your home. The kernels aren't just a delicious snack; they're an experience. The smooth, even coating of butter ensures that each bite remains true to its name, delivering a taste akin to the real thing. The well-balanced saltiness further heightens the flavor, ensuring that both salty notes and buttery tones shine through. Priced at the same rate as the Ultimate Butter, it's clear that the brand aims to provide choices without compromising on quality or affordability. Freshly popped, the texture of this variant mimics the best part of stove-top popcorn, combining the convenience of microwave popcorn with a classically rich buttery flavor. So, the next time you're gearing up for a movie night, consider this bag a top pick, promising both a burst of flavor and a batch of your favorite movie theater popcorn memories.

Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter

Pop Secret has cemented its place as one of the best microwave popcorn brands out there. Their Movie Theater Butter variant is nothing short of a star performance in a bag. Each fluffy kernel ensures that airy popcorn crunch that most popcorn aficionados are on the lookout for. One could argue that this variant is Pop Secret's attempt to encapsulate the authentic movie theater experience. And indeed, they succeed! While the butter flavor is slightly subdued compared to some of the Orville Redenbacher offerings, it still delivers a recognizable taste reminiscent of the actual butter of the popcorn at cinemas. The balance of salty and sweet notes is spot on, making each bite a delightful play on the palate. Retailing at around $0.75 per bag, this not only promises great taste but also aligns well with the grocery store budget. The convenience of microwave popcorn, combined with its delightful taste, makes Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter a top choice for many. Whether it's for a casual movie night or a special binge-watching session, this brand promises a satisfying buttery treat.

Pop Secret Homestyle Butter

With big, crunchy kernels, Pop Secret Homestyle Butter is another crowd-pleaser. The butter flavor is recognizable but light, with well-balanced saltiness. Each bite provides a satisfying texture without denseness or chewiness. It costs just a bit less than their Movie Theater Butter, making it a nice option if you're watching your budget.

Orville Redenbacher's Butter

For a classic popcorn flavor, Orville Redenbacher's regular Butter impresses with a fluffy, crunchy texture and authentic butter taste. It's not as indulgent as the Ultimate Butter but provides plenty of flavor enhancement without going overboard. The light saltiness complements the butter nicely. At less than $0.75 per bag, it's affordable and satisfies basic popcorn cravings.

Jolly Time Blast O' Butter 

True to its name, Blast O' Butter coats each kernel in rich, theater-style butter flavor. You can see the sheen of butter on each piece. It edged out the previous Jolly Time pick thanks to the intense butter taste. The texture suffers slightly though, as kernels are dense, not light and crunchy. But if you love that movie theater butter flavor, the taste outweighs the texture. At around $0.65 per bag, it's very affordable.

Pop Weaver Extra Butter

With a classic butter flavor, Pop Weaver Extra Butter makes the list for its crunchy yet tender texture. The kernels have an authentic taste and appearance, not too yellow or greasy. Each bite provides plenty of crunchy satisfaction. At around $0.85 per bag, it's moderately priced, but the quality aligns with the cost.

Jolly Time The Big Cheez

For something different, The Big Cheez replaces butter with an intense cheddar cheese flavor. Natural cheese adds tangy, savory notes that pair well with popcorn's neutral flavor. The neon orange color may be off-putting, but the taste delivers. The cheese flavor is shockingly smooth, not artificial, like powdered cheese popcorn. The texture is a bit soft but passable. Priced around $0.65 per bag, it's a budget-friendly way to jazz up popcorn.

Act II Xtreme Butter

True to its name, Act II Xtreme Butter coats each kernel with an intense, rich butter flavor. Every bite tastes indulgent, like movie theater popcorn dripping in butter. The neon color is off-putting, but the taste satisfies serious butter lovers. The texture skews a bit dense and chewy. Priced at around $0.75 per bag, this amped-up butter flavor comes at a reasonable cost.

Act II Butter Lovers

With a deep yellow color and the word "butter" boldly displayed, Act II Butter Lovers aims to be a vault of butter flavor. While not as intense as Xtreme Butter, it still delivers a rich, recognizable butter taste. The salt level is well-balanced, too. The texture is slightly dense but passable. At $0.70 per bag, it's affordable and offers solid butter flavor for the price.

The Best Butter for Your Buck

When it comes to microwave popcorn, you can't go wrong with classic brands like Orville Redenbacher's and Jolly Time. For the optimal movie night experience. we recommend Orville Redenbacher's Ultimate Butter. The indulgent butter flavor and fluffy, crunchy texture make it the perfect snack for enjoying a movie at home. Pop up a bag, hit play, and transport yourself into the film with this top-quality popcorn.