Universal Studios Japan has revealed its first Resident Evil popcorn bucket, a wearable Licker figure whose head opens up to release the popcorn stored inside, arriving at Halloween Horror Nights on September 9, 2026.
The bucket recreates the Licker, one of the Resident Evil franchise’s most recognizable creatures, right down to its exposed brain, long protruding tongue, and clawed limbs. Instead of a bucket you carry or a bag you sling over one shoulder, this one straps on like a chest harness, so guests can wear the creature on their back and keep both hands free for the rest of the night. The head opens on a hinge to access the popcorn inside, which is a nice bit of function built into a design that could have easily been a display piece and nothing more.
Universal called out one detail directly. The claws and teeth are made from soft materials, worth knowing given how sharp the sculpt looks from a distance.
This is not a movie theater release, but if sculpted collectible buckets built around games and films are your thing, our Movie Theater Popcorn Buckets hub tracks every major chain’s lineup all year.
This release lines up two milestones at once. Halloween Horror Nights is turning 15 at Universal Studios Japan, and the Resident Evil franchise is marking 30 years since Capcom’s original game helped define survival horror. The Licker bucket is USJ’s way of tying both anniversaries to a single collectible, and it also previews Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive, the new haunted experience debuting as part of this year’s event.
The Licker Popcorn Bucket goes on sale September 9, 2026, at the Stage 22 Popcorn Cart inside Universal Studios Japan, filled with Miso flavored popcorn. Universal has not announced pricing yet. As with most Halloween Horror Nights merchandise, expect it to be available while supplies last, and Universal has already noted that designs, sale locations, and release dates are subject to change without notice.
So far, this release is exclusive to Universal Studios Japan. Universal has not said whether the Licker bucket, or any Resident Evil merchandise, is headed to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood. Both US locations already have a full lineup for their own event this fall, including the first-ever Hellraiser house, the final Stranger Things haunted house closing out the series across both coasts, and a new Fortnitemares scare zone built with Epic Games. Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow are leading this year’s theme at Universal Orlando, and tickets are on sale now for anyone planning a trip. We’ll update this article the moment Universal confirms whether the Licker bucket travels beyond Japan
