Most people have never had real popcorn, it's a dying art. Growing up, my dad had a pot dedicated to popcorn making. The key is getting the oil the right temp, heat your oil with 3 or 4 kernels in the oil and turn the heat up slowly until they pop. Then throw in the rest of your kernels and enjoy popcorn for the first time.
The movie theaters used to serve good popcorn, but they switched their oil and most of it tastes like shit too. But, compared to the cardboard nastiness of your average microwave popcorn, it tastes fantastic.
Both pale to DIY popcorn on the stove.