A Texas woman learned the hard way why putting movie theater snacks on the floor isn’t a good idea.
Teelo9917 (@teelo9917) says she went to AMC Fountains 18 in Stafford, Texas. She says she was armed with a sandwich she’d sneaked in to watch “Primetime,” the new Robert Pattinson movie inspired by former “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen. Her video, which recounts her experience putting a bag of popcorn on the floor of the theater, has gotten more than 18,000 views.
‘I’m Feeling Little Tingles on My Arm’
Teelo9917 says she bought popcorn to eat alongside her sandwich, but she put it on the floor during the screening. She says she ate the sandwich first with no problems. Later, she turned her attention to the popcorn.
Sometime during the movie, she says her arm began to itch.
“I’m feeling little tingles on my arm,” she says, recalling how she chalked it up to dry skin. But then, the sensation changed. “I feel little pinches on me,” she describes.
She says she eventually took off her jacket and found a small insect crawling on her. Still, she stayed.
“I try to play it cool,” she says. “I’m already irritated, but I wanna watch the movie, [I’ve] been waiting on this movie.”
She says she became more alarmed when she spotted what she thought was an ant near her feet.
Once the credits rolled and the lights came on, Teelo9917 says she saw bugs around the area where her popcorn had been sitting.
“It’s everywhere,” she says in her TikTok. “I know I ate it.”
In another TikTok, Teelo9917 pans her camera into a mostly empty popcorn bag teeming with insects that appear to be ants. This one got more than 30,000 views.
The woman says AMC theater employees gave her free popcorn and drinks after she complained.
Commenters Discuss the AMC Location
Several commenters alleged they had less-than-sanitary experiences at that particular AMC location.
“We went a few months ago when that alien movie came out and when we left I had ant bites on my back …they must have a big ant problem,” wrote one commenter.
“I didn’t know anyone still went to the Stafford location … It’s so dirty. Just the smell when you walk in is weird,” wrote another.
A third added, “My seat and the person who was sitting next to [my] seat kept malfunctioning the entire movie and would randomly stop reclining and would lift us back up every 5 [to] 10 minutes.”
Those individual reviews are anecdotal, however. Subplot could not independently verify that the theater has an ongoing pest or sanitation problem.
Was That Smuggled Sandwich Allowed?
Well, no.
AMC explicitly prohibits customers from bringing outside food and beverages into its theaters. Its current FAQ answers the question, “Can I bring in my own snacks?” with a simple “No, outside food and drinks are not permitted.”
That means anyone inspired by the video’s hoagie-smuggling technique should know they’re taking their chances with more than whatever might be crawling on the floor.
Are Bugs in Movie Theaters Common?
Dropped candy, popcorn, and sugary drinks can attract bugs anywhere food is routinely consumed, although this doesn’t establish an insect problem at this particular AMC theater.
Still, pest control provider Terminix claims bed bugs “thrive in places where people gather.” The website specifically names movie theaters as a breeding ground.
To avoid bed bugs, Terminix recommends sitting away from walls and curtains, inspecting your seat beforehand and belongings after, and avoiding placing food on the floor.
If you see bugs at your theater, alert management immediately, take photos and videos of what you see, and inspect your clothes and belongings before getting into your car.
@teelo9917/
Subplot News reached out to Teelo9917 via TikTok direct message and to AMC via email.
