Bring Hollywood Home With a Fabulous Backyard Movie Night
There’s something so magical about stepping into a movie theater and escaping into a fictional world for a couple of hours. Whether it’s a slapstick comedy, charming rom-com or sweeping drama, it’s nice to leave the outside world behind for a little while. But what’s even dreamier is sharing that love of cinema with family and friends in the comfort of your very own home. Or, rather, by hosting a backyard movie night.
Outdoor movie nights can feel so cozy when you set them up at home. Grab some blankets, pillows, even air mattresses to create a seating arrangement that’s casual but thoughtful at the same time. Because while there are plenty of things you can do to elevate the backyard movie night experience, what really matters is that you’ve created a meaningful moment for the people who are special to you.
From the perfect movie night invites to how to tailor an outdoor movie night to kids birthday parties, we’ll explore everything you need to create an incredible evening.
How to Do a Movie Night in Your Backyard
The first step to planning an outdoor movie night is assessing exactly how you can turn your backyard into a mini cinematic oasis. You really don’t need a ton of space to craft a small outdoor theater. In fact, oftentimes, the cozier the area, the better. Take stock of your yard and consider the best place to put the movie screen. This could depend on a variety of factors, like where there’s a flat wall to hang a plain white bed sheet or other drapery to act as the screen (more on that in a minute). Or, if you have an inflatable movie screen, it could be finding the right amount of space to place that while still being able to offer enough seating for your guests.
You’ll likely also need an outlet to plug in a small movie projector, so that’s something to take into consideration when you’re configuring your set up as well.
Picking the Right Date and Time
Here’s the thing about outdoor movie nights, you’ll need to wait until it’s dark enough to project the movie onto the screen, otherwise it will be nearly impossible for your guests to see the film. So, if you’d really like to host this type of event during the summer, it’s important to check to see what time sunset will start on your selected date. Plan on having guests come over about an hour prior to sunset to give people time to get settled, grab a bite to eat and chat before it’s showtime.
If you choose to host a backyard movie night in the fall, winter or spring, you can start the party earlier, as the sun will set earlier bringing nightfall and the ideal backdrop for projecting a movie onto a screen.
How to Choose the Movie
The kind of film you choose for your outdoor movie night depends on a lot of different things: the age range and interests of your guests, any overarching theme for the night (like if it’s also a pizza party, consider a movie like Mystic Pizza, or something where Italian food plays a big role).
On the other hand, if the movie night is in conjunction with a kids’ sleepover, you’ll want to make sure it’s both age-appropriate and nothing too scary. A party full of terrified kiddos is not a fun party at all.
To keep things light-hearted and a little bit romantic, there are some great Valentine’s Day themed movies that are actually crowd-pleasers year round. Or if you need backyard movie ideas around the winter holidays, there are so many sweet Christmas movies to choose from.
What Should I Get For an Outdoor Movie Night?
This all depends on how splashy you want your backyard movie night to be. Once you have your movie chosen (and a way to stream it), as well as some semblance of a movie screen and a projector, the rest is really up to your personal preferences.
Think about what you like when you go to the movies. Is it popcorn? A favorite type of candy? Or maybe you just want a giant sugary soda to sip on from the time the title credits roll to the end credits. Let’s start with your “concessions” and move through the other backyard movie night accoutrement.
Food & Drinks
Whether you’re watching a movie at home or in an actual theater, you’ve got to have snacks, right? Fill a cooler with drinks—everything from different flavored sodas to water. If you’re hosting a movie night when the temperatures are chilly, consider offering hot chocolate, tea and decaf coffee, too.
Now here’s the really fun part—the snacks. Head to the dollar store or your nearest grocery and stock up on theater-style boxed candy. Think M&Ms, Junior Mints, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids—the classics. And while you might not have your own retro popcorn machine, you can set up a popcorn bar in your backyard for guests to fill up their own buckets with the flavors they like best. Have different flavors ready to scoop from bowls, like plain butter, cheddar cheese, caramel, kettle corn and maybe even a spicy variety. This way everyone can create their own personal mix, whether that means salty, sweet or a combination of both. If you want to throw in some extras, put out bowls of chocolate chips, goldfish crackers and small pretzels for guests to add in with their popcorn.
If your party’s start time hovers around the dinner hour, it’s a good idea to serve something hearty in addition to movie snacks. The easiest option is pizza, but you could also do a big batch of chili, spaghetti and meatballs or something else that’s relatively easy to offer to a crowd. You just don’t want making Raisinets their main meal, though that actually sounds kind of delicious.
Decorations
The beauty of a backyard movie night is that the focus is really the movie, so you don’t need a ton of decorations if you’re trying to keep things on budget. In fact, you could just make your “decor” some colorful blankets guests can use to curl up with while watching the film. Outdoor throw pillows to make things really comfy are a nice touch, too.
Now if you’re looking to really go all out with the glitz and glam Hollywood-style, there’s always the option of hosting your own “red carpet” before the movie starts. You don’t need a lengthy red carpet like they do for big-screen premieres, even just a small doormat-size red carpet would be fun to have guests take pictures on. Create a backdrop for photos with black and gold balloons, gold star garland or anything else that feels like it fits the Hollywood theme. Props like a novelty production clapboard can also be really fun to pose with.
If you have string lights, lanterns or even a few large pillar candles to station around the movie viewing area, that will add a bit of romance to the ambiance. You don’t want too much light to distract from the film, but a little bit of lighting always lends a nice effect to any celebratory space.
How To Make a Movie Screen For Your Backyard
Making a backyard movie screen is way easier than it sounds, and it’s a total game-changer for cozy nights under the stars. First, you’ll need a big, flat surface to project onto—this could be a blank wall, a garage door or even a large white sheet. If you go the sheet route, make sure to pull it tight so there aren’t any wrinkles messing with your picture. You can use clips, bungee cords or even clothespins to secure it to a fence or between two trees.
Next up, you’ll need a projector, but don’t worry—there are plenty of affordable, portable ones that work great for casual setups. Pair it with a good speaker (Bluetooth works fine) so the sound doesn’t get lost in the open air.
Of course there are inflatable movie screens you can buy for around $100, but if you have a flat surface anywhere in your backyard, that’s a way more affordable way to go about creating a movie screen.
What Should I Sit on For an Outdoor Movie Night?
Seating is what makes a backyard movie night go from a fun idea to actually cozy and comfortable. Start by thinking about how many people you’re inviting and how much space you have to work with. If at all possible, you’ll want a mix of seating options so everyone can settle in the way they like—think blankets and pillows up front for that laid-back, picnic feel, and chairs or loungers toward the back for those who prefer a little more support.
Lawn chairs, Adirondacks or folding chairs are great because they’re easy to move around and set up. If you want something extra comfy, add a few bean bags, poufs or even air mattresses with plenty of blankets tossed over them. Just make sure whatever you choose keeps everyone’s line of sight clear. So no tall chairs blocking the view of someone curled up on a blanket.
Layering is key, too. Lay down an outdoor rug or a few thick blankets to define the “movie zone” and give it that cozy living-room-meets-outdoors feel. Toss in some throw pillows for extra comfort and maybe even a few side tables or crates to hold snacks and drinks within easy reach. The goal is to make it relaxed and inviting—like everyone’s personal VIP lounge under the stars.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask friends if you can borrow some of the above for your party. There’s no need to buy a ton of beanie bag chairs or air mattresses you’ll only use once or twice. Or, have guests bring the seat of their choosing. That way there’s something for everyone to sit on and it’s what they’ll feel most comfortable on.
You Can’t Go Wrong With a Movie Under the Stars
No matter the movie you choose or the popcorn options you serve, spending an evening outside with loved ones is such a special way to make core memories. And, of course, the first step to getting your guests excited about the evening is with a great invitation. Greetings Island specializes in offering an impressive variety of invites for all of life’s occasions, from birthdays to retirements and, yes, backyard movie nights. Be sure to browse our invitation collection today and lock in the guest list for your movie night before social calendars fill up. No one is going to want to miss this magical night. In fact, they’ll probably be begging you to host another sooner than you think.
Photo by: Getty Images, Hans, Corina Rainer on UnSplash
