It’s a fine, orange-yellow powder made with salt, artificial butter flavor (diacetyl), and coloring agents, which is what gives movie theater popcorn its vibrant color and rich, savory taste.

The family-owned popcorn company has been perfecting the timeless snack since 1944. But, while the brand does make a Movie Theater Butter flavor, it was the Buttery Explosion that we fell hard for.

A movie theater customer shared her 'life hack' for taking the popular popcorn butter flavoring home in a now-viral TikTok.

There is an art to homemade popcorn. It seems like nothing can compare to the mystical, magical movie theater popcorn machines that seemingly produce a constant flow of yellow, butter-coated kernels.

Even the bagged “movie theater butter” microwave popcorn can’t get it right. So, what’s the secret? The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol.

It’s a fine, orange-yellow powder made with salt, artificial butter flavor (diacetyl), and coloring agents, which is what gives movie theater popcorn its vibrant color and rich, savory taste.