retro phone – After a bong-shaped popcorn bucket sparked excitement ahead of “Scary Movie,” the franchise’s marketing stunt returned with a retro cordless-phone prop—only for Paramount to say it, too, will never be sold in theaters.
For the second time in just weeks, “Scary Movie” fans watched a popcorn bucket fantasy flare up online—then get extinguished.
Images of a weed-themed snack holder spread after the film’s social accounts amplified the bong-bucket idea. The buzz was short-lived: Paramount confirmed the products were promotional only and would not be sold in theaters for the sixth installment of the horror-parody franchise.
Now the franchise is dealing with another round of confusion. On June 3. the official “Scary Movie” Instagram account drew fresh attention when it shared a post from Discussing Film’s Instagram account. The images appeared to show the “true bucket”: a “retro” or “old-school” cordless phone filled with popcorn. topped with a giant red “WAZZUP!” Complete with glow-in-the-dark buttons and an antenna. the prop looked far less likely to land its owner in legal trouble than the bong.
It still won’t be for sale.
Paramount: both buckets were for promotional giveaways
Paramount said the phone popcorn bucket—like the bong-shaped one before it—was created exclusively for promotional purposes. fan giveaways. and special marketing activations celebrating the return of the franchise’s iconic comedy. In an emailed statement dated Thursday, June 4, Paramount said the buckets will not be sold in theaters.
That puts a hard stop on the latest online scramble, even as fans interpret props as potential merch.
What fans can buy instead at theaters
The franchise’s in-theater option is simpler, and it’s centered on AMC Theatres. In the United States, fans will be able to enjoy the movie with a themed drink cup in hand.
The plastic cups are adorned with a smiling Ghost Face. “Scary Movie” in bold lettering. and blood-red detailing. and they come with a large drink. Prices will vary based on local AMC locations. Paramount’s timeline for availability is clear: the cups were available for purchase beginning Thursday, June 4.
The other part of the message is equally direct—there are no specialty popcorn buckets for this specific release in the United States.
Outside the U.S., some markets get a tin—not a phone
The buckets may be gone, but not every international fan is walking away empty-handed. Some international markets are set to receive a popcorn holder. However, it will not be shaped like drug paraphernalia.
Instead, the international offering is a simple black-and-red tin shaped like a regular snack receptacle. It features Ghost Face with his tongue sticking out and includes “Scary Movie” branding. The tins will be available in France, Germany and Australia.
A marketing strategy that trains the internet to look closer
The back-to-back stunt cycle has left a familiar trail: social media spreads an image, comment sections explode with guesses about legality and ownership, and then the official merch reality arrives late enough to disappoint—but fast enough to keep engagement high.
The timing is the same each time: the franchise ramps up hype in the lead-up to the June 5 release, then clamps down on expectations once Paramount confirms what’s actually purchasable.
“Scary Movie” is set to hit theaters on Friday, June 5, and the latest lesson for fans is now consistent across both props: online buckets may be fun to chase, but the real merch this time is the drink cup—and it’s available through AMC Theatres starting June 4.
Scary Movie Paramount AMC Theatres popcorn bucket Ghost Face marketing stunt promotional giveaways merch