Charles did get his own popcorn, candies, and drinks before following Penny into the theater. He handed her the M&Ms and ate a handful of popcorn while the lights dimmed. 

“Really? Well, that's okay. Take comfort in knowing that you'll learn how to kill these things, too, but if you get scared, just lean into me.” 

Charles loved horror movies still, despite the very real monsters on the screen. He found most of them funny and unrealistic, but there was something oddly comforting about them as well.