Movies and popcorn go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly or eggs and bacon. I love a good movie and popcorn pairing. So, I rounded up some of my favorite Dad approved movies and created some popcorn recipes to go with them. Here are my picks for Dad’s favorite popcorn movies:
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Field of Dreams
I haven’t met a dad that didn’t love this movie. It’s a classic story about a father, a son, and baseball. It’s a great popcorn movie to watch with your Dad. And almost everyone has heard the phrase “If you build it, they will come” – which is from this movie. And since you can get popcorn at a ballpark, this is the perfect popcorn movie to watch with Dad.
What you’ll need: popcorn, white cake frosting, red icing (tube), white chocolate melts, red food grade pen.
Directions: This one is a little more involved, but turns out super cute. First get your little baseballs ready. Open your white chocolate melts and pull them out. Pro tip: Place them on a plate, laid out so they don’t touch and freeze them for ten minutes. This will help them to not melt in your hands. Then use your red edible food dye pen (NOT REGULAR PEN) and draw stitches on your little baseballs.
Then, pop your popcorn and start the melting: butter and frosting. I should make sure you know: put the butter and frosting in separate bowls/cups. Drizzle the melted butter on the popcorn. Then drizzle the melted frosting on the popcorn. Add in your baseballs that you already made, and finish with a drizzle of red cake icing from the tube.
Hook
I recently just re-watched this movie and it was a great as I remember it. The main focus of the story is Robin Williams’ character reconnecting to himself (Peter Pan) and realizing what’s really important: his kids and family. Perfect popcorn movie to watch with Dad and this recipe is just as sweet!
What you’ll need: popcorn, white cake frosting, green sugar sprinkles, star sprinkles
Directions: Ok, I know what you’re thinking, cake frosting? YES. I’m not kidding it’s amazing. So, pop your popcorn. Then scoop some cake frosting out (I used marshmallow flavored) into a bowl. Microwave until liquefied. Mine took about 30 seconds, but it will depend on your microwave. Use a spoon to scoop and drizzle your frosting over the popcorn. Then sprinkle on both kinds of sprinkles! Now you’re set with pixie dust and heading towards the second star on the right! (Or the sofa, but that’s what imagination is for!)
Coco
Coco is a story about a boy who travels to and through the land of the dead in search of his family’s true story. He encounters a couple father like figures and then finds out about his own family. I’m not gonna lie, it will pull at the heartstrings. But the colors, the story and the music are so worth any tears. Just like Coco is wrapped in his heritage, so is our popcorn.
What you’ll need: popcorn, butter, taco seasoning or Everything But Elote seasoning from Trader Joe’s, Shredded cheese.
Directions: So you have some flexibility here. Pop your popcorn and melt your butter. After butter is drizzled over the popcorn, add your taco seasoning. Literally, use the 50 cent taco seasoning packet. Again, start small, and taste as you go until you find the right amount of seasoning. If you don’t want to use taco seasoning, you can use Everything But Elote seasoning from Trader Joes (YUM!). Finish off with shredded Mexican blend cheese and you have your savory popcorn!
Empire Strikes Back
We have to include the movie that coined the phrase “I am your father”. I mean, it’s classic. You can go a step further and have a popcorn movie marathon and include more Star Wars Movies. I get carried away, and I love a theme, but back to popcorn.
What you’ll need: popcorn, chocolate chips, melting milk chocolate
Direction: This one is pretty simple. We kept it dark for the dark side. Pop your popcorn. If it were me, I’d still add melted butter on top (as I do to all popcorn). Melt your melting chocolate and drizzle over your popcorn. You can also use the chocolate chips to melt, just be careful because they can scorch really quick. That’s why I recommend melting chocolate. It’s made to melt! Finally sprinkle in your chocolate chips.
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
This flavor will have your popcorn looking like dirt, but tasting like chocolate graham crackers! It’s a super simple recipe that it quick to put together. And what better popcorn movie is there to watch with Dad than Indiana Jones. This one’s the original, and my fav. It’s got the action, the father son moments, and all of Indiana Jones’ witty humor.
What you’ll need: popcorn, butter, graham crackers (or crushed graham crackers), hot chocolate packet or powdered coco.
Directions: The way to make this popcorn is simple, pop your popcorn, per usual. In a cup or bowl, melt your butter in the microwave. Get your graham crackers ready. Put them in a plastic baggie and crush them with the back of a spoon. Or, buy them in the baking aisle already crushed. Pour your melted butter over the popcorn, top with graham crackers, add a little bit of the hot chocolate powder (not too much – start small, you can always add more). Now you’ve got your “dirty” archaeology themed popcorn!
Father of the Bride
This classic Steve Martin comedy is especially great to watch for any soon to be brides. This one will show you exactly how your dad is feeling/will feel/felt when you get married. Plus, what dad doesn’t like slapstic comedy from Steve Martin and Martin Short.
What you’ll need: popcorn, butter, white cake frosting, white sprinkles
Directions: I’m gonna give you one guess how we start….pop the popcorn! Melt your butter in the microwave. Melt your cake frosting in the microwave (about 30 seconds). Drizzle butter and frosting over your popcorn. Sprinkle with white sprinkles! Pretty simple, very tasty!
Chef
I love this movie. It’s literally a feel good time with a father and son food truck team. You get to see some awesome food made too, one of which is Grilled Cheese. Now, I love cheese, so you can call my bias all you want. But I had to make grilled cheese popcorn right?
What you’ll need: popcorn, butter, shredded cheese, Parmesan cheese
Directions: Pop that popcorn and melt that butter. Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn. Sprinkle your shredded cheese over the popcorn as well. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bonus points: Add bread crumbs! I like an easy popcorn recipe.
Wrap up
I like to keep my popcorn easy to make and use ingredients that I already have at home (i.e. I’m lazy). But, it doesn’t make it any less delicious!! My dad and I watched popcorn movies a lot when I was growing up (all kinds of popcorn worthy flicks), so movie night is definitely our go to during celebrations.
I’m wondering what your ideas are? What popcorn recipe would you use to pair up with the movie Finding Nemo? That’s a good dad story too! Comment below with your Nemo popcorn ideas.
Other posts you might like:
Working Women in Film: Popcorn and Movie Pairings
5 Christmas Movie Popcorn Recipes
The Ultimate Guide to Unique Gifts for Guys
If you are looking for a fun playlist for your day with Dad, sign up below for your free download of my Dad themed playlist. You’ll also get updates from the blog periodically! Happy Movie Night!
