‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Raises Bar, Lowers Dignity With Annabelle…

Horror movie marketing has always thrived on the creepy and the campy, but The Conjuring: Last Rites just raised the bar and lowered the dignity.

The latest promotional stunt from Cinemark theaters involves none other than Annabelle, the possessed doll of The Conjuring universe fame, now repurposed as… a popcorn bucket. While that might seem simple enough, there is, of course, a twist. You’ve got to grab your snack from her backside. Yes, really. Annabelle’s booty is now a popcorn-distribution mechanism.

Cinemark unveiled the $25 collectible in a TikTok video that slowly spun the doll 360 degrees, saving the big reveal, her hollowed-out rear end, for last. The bucket goes on sale starting August 22.

@cinemark
Haunt your popcorn with our TheConjuring: Last Rites Annabelle popcorn bucket available starting August 22! #Annabelle #Cinemark
♬ original sound - Cinemark

“Idk how I feel about this,” one commenter wrote on the TikTok video.

Another suggested, “She was almost perfect but that gaping hole in the back like we couldn’t get a lil door or something?”

TikTok user @ItsNickHoliday went for broke: “She’s got junk in her trunk and needs your help getting it out.”

@finsmf
Just NO 😭😭😭 #fyp #theconjuringlastrites #conjuringhorror #annabelle #popcornbucket
♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs - Skittlegirl Sound

Cinemark isn’t alone in the Annabelle gimmick game. Regal theaters has its own take: a $45 replica of the porcelain doll posed with legs splayed and a bucket wedged between them. Subtle it is not. You can buy that one the week the movie hits theaters.

The meme-ready merch follows a recent trend of theaters turning popcorn buckets into viral collector’s items. Remember the Dune: Part Two’s sandworm bucket? Or even Deadpool’s decapitated head one?

Annabelle might just take the crown with this one, though.

The Conjuring: Last Rites hits theaters September 5.

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