Popcorn Game

Popcorn Game is a popcorn-popping arcade game. Kernels heat up in a pan on the stove, start to wiggle, and then pop with a crisp little sound and a burst of crumbs. Your job is to catch the flying popcorn in a striped bucket, flip any kernel that starts to burn, add the right toppings at the right moment, and get every order out before the movie starts. Play the popcorn game free in your browser on a computer, tablet or phone, with no download or sign-up.

How to play

Pick one of three modes from the start screen.

• Movie Night is the main game: 10 levels, each with one to three orders. An order asks for a bucket size and its toppings, for example “Medium (16) + Butter, Salt”. The heat rises from level to level, so kernels pop faster, more of them start to burn, and you get less time to save them.
• Pop Frenzy is a 60-second score attack. Every catch builds your combo, and every 5 catches in a row raise the multiplier, up to x5. Golden kernels are worth five times as much.
• Pop Toy has no score and no clock. Tap any kernel to pop it and watch the popcorn pile up on the floor.

Catching. Move the bucket left and right under the falling popcorn. On a computer you can move the mouse, drag, or use the Left and Right arrow keys (or A and D). On a phone, drag a finger anywhere on the lower half of the game. Popcorn that misses the bucket is lost, and in Pop Frenzy a miss ends your combo.

Burning kernels. A kernel that glows red is about to burn, and a ring around it shows how long you have. Tap it (or press Space) to flip it, which saves it and earns 25 points. If the ring runs out, the kernel pops into a black, burnt piece. Catching burnt popcorn knocks 2 pieces out of your bucket in Movie Night and costs 30 points in Pop Frenzy, so steer around it. In Movie Night, four burnt kernels set off the smoke alarm and end the level.

Toppings. The five shakers under the bucket are Butter, Salt, Caramel, Cheese dust and Rainbow sprinkles. Tap one, or press keys 1 to 5. A topping only sticks once the bucket is at least half full; added at 80% full or more it counts as perfect and scores 50 points instead of 20. Adding a topping the order did not ask for costs 3 seconds.

Serving and stars. When the bucket is full and every topping on the order is in, the order is served automatically and the next bucket arrives. Each level gives one star for finishing, one for finishing with no burnt kernels at all, and one for finishing with at least 30% of the time left. Clearing a level unlocks the next one. Your stars, your best score on each level and your Pop Frenzy best are saved in your browser.

Tips

• Read the arc, not the piece. Popcorn flies up and then falls fast. Watch where a piece is heading at the top of its flight and move the bucket there early, instead of chasing it.
• Flip first, catch second. A burnt kernel costs you more than one missed piece. When a red glow appears, flip it, then go back to the bucket.
• Wait for the perfect moment. Toppings at 80% full score more than toppings at half full. Keep an eye on the fill bar at the top: the second marker is the perfect line.
• Mind the order list. The line above the game shows the current order. Shaking on the wrong topping wastes 3 seconds, which can cost you the time star.

FAQ

Is the popcorn game free?

Yes. It is completely free, with no account and no install. It runs in any modern browser.

How do I stop the popcorn from burning?

Tap a kernel as soon as it glows red. The ring around it shows how much time is left. On a keyboard, Space flips the kernel that is closest to burning.

When should I add butter and the other toppings?

Once the bucket is at least half full. Before that the topping does not stick. For the best score, wait until the bucket is 80% full, which counts as perfect.

Can I play on a phone?

Yes. Drag on the lower half of the game to move the bucket, tap glowing kernels to flip them, and tap the shakers along the bottom to add toppings. Touching the game does not scroll the page.

Like games about popping things? Try Bubble Pop, or bake your way to a mountain of treats in Cookie Clicker.