Which cinema popcorn is gluten free?

Posted: August 12, 2025 Updated: August 12, 2025

Is the popcorn gluten free at your local cinema? It might depend on which cinema chain it is. There are at least six different cinema groups in Australia and I’m guessing they’ve all got different suppliers and recipes.

So let’s look at each one as see what we can find.

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Dendy

Dendy cinemas are in the ACT, NSW and Queensland.

Their cinema popcorn is both gluten free and vegan.

One of my coeliac buddies in Canberra has had hot food there too, with some coeliac safe menu options – so cool!

Event Cinemas

There are Event have cinemas across Australia (just one in Melbourne though, the Moonlight cinema).

Event popcorn boxes (butter and salt) are labelled gluten free.

Event Cinemas also serve Parlour Lane popcorn. They have their ingredients up on their website with allergens and may contains. The contain/may contain listings are inaccurate so I’ve summarised it here.

• Sweet and salty. Allergens: Nil. May contain: Milk, soy.
• New York mix. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Nil.
• Salted caramel popcorn. Allergens: Milk, soy. May contain: Nil.

The spicy nacho flavour contains gluten (wheat and barley) so don’t pick that.

Hoyts

There are Hoyts cinemas in ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and WA.

Hoyts has freshly made popcorn is vegan and gluten free. I remember getting some complimentary popcorn at their Lux cinema and I was so excited until I needed to check if it was GF.

Luckily it was and I got to start eating it right away!

Palace Cinemas

I emailed Palace Cinemas about their popcorn as it’s not online, here’s what I heard back.

Our popcorn is both vegan and gluten-free, however we do advise that it may not be suitable for coeliacs, as we can’t guarantee there’s no risk of cross-contamination.
 
Ingredients may also vary slightly depending on availability, so for the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your local Palace Cinema directly.

So in this case I’d recommend asking in person. I’m not sure how there would be cross contact with their popcorn so check it out in person for yourself.

Reading Cinemas

Yes, our popcorn is vegan friendly and gluten free. 

They also allow you to bring some external food which is great!

“Water bottles, hot drinks with a lid securely attached, other snacks and lollies are permitted.”

Village Cinemas

Village Cinemas are found in NSW, Tasmania and Victoria

From their FAQ for Vsuite “Yes. Our classic salted popcorn is gluten free. In addition to this, a number of our packaged snacks are gluten free.”

Regarding external food, on their FAQs they state, “Only food and beverages purchased from Village Cinemas can be consumed in our cinemas. “

Wallis Cinema

You’ll find Wallis cinemas over in South Australia and one branch in Mildura, Victoria.

Wallis actually list the ingredients of the popcorn over in their website FAQs! They also add that there’s no gluten, wheat or lactose. Good to go!

I hope that list has you feeling confident as you head off to the cinema. Let me know if I’ve missed a cinema, leave a note in the comments.

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