Here's how to turn your outdoor space into the personalized movie theater of your dreams.
How to Host an Outdoor Movie Night in Your Backyard
Updated on Nov. 29, 2023
When the weather finally warms up, it’s tempting to do everything outdoors. Whether you’re lounging poolside or cooking out with family, your backyard is often the farthest you have to go. And when the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t have to stop; it’s an opportunity for a backyard movie night!
We’ll show you how to throw together an outdoor movie night that’s so easy, it’ll be up and running before your popcorn is done. Speaking of popcorn, here are some gourmet popcorn recipes you have to try:
Parmesan Ranch PopcornWhether you need a quick gift idea or yummy munchies for movie night, we've got you covered with this cheesy twist on regular popped popcorn. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Make sure you know how to make popcorn on the stove!
White Chocolate Chex MixWhite chocolate Chex mix is the perfect balance of sweet, salty and crunchy, which makes it hard to resist. This party snack takes minutes to make and disappears just as quickly.
Caramel CornLearning how to make a caramel corn recipe is surprisingly easy! Follow our step-by-step guide for perfect kernels.
Nacho PopcornMy husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota
Ranch PopcornWhat’s movie night at home without some popcorn to munch? Try a big tub of this buttery, showstopping blend. It’s easy, cheesy and finger-lickin’ good. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Marshmallow-Peanut PopcornMy brother calls this combo of popcorn, marshmallows, peanuts and pretzels the “perfect popcorn." The taste is reminiscent of a Big Hunk candy bar. —Julie Perez, Idaho Falls, Idaho
White Chocolate PopcornWhite chocolate popcorn with crushed peppermint is a delightfully sweet, fluffy and crunchy DIY snack for at-home movie nights or holiday soirees.
Chocolate-Mint PopcornI wrote a book called “20 New Ways to Enjoy Popcorn.” When I poll friends, they favor this recipe, a delicious treat for after-dinner coffee. — Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia
Buffalo Ranch PopcornThis zippy blend is sure to spice up your favorite snack. It's perfect for game time, movie time, or as a special after-school treat. —Joyce McCarthy, Sussex, Wisconsin
Halloween Snack MixHere is a simple snack mix I created on the spur of the moment. It's easy to toss together for a Halloween party or to package in individual bags for a fall bake sale. —Barbara Roberts, Middleton, Wisconsin
Gingerbread Caramel CrunchIf you love gingerbread, you won't be able to resist this crispy, crunchy popcorn. Munch it yourself or share it as a tasty gift! —Lynne Weigle-Snow, Alexandria, Virginia
Peanut Caramel CornA sweet, crunchy, lighter alternative to traditional caramel corn, this can’t-stop-eatin’-it treat won’t stick to fingers or teeth! It’s wonderful for gifts, too. —Lois Ward, Puslinch, Ontario
Sweet-Tooth PopcornI like to be creative with this popcorn recipe and add different things to make it festive for the holidays. Everyone says the sweet and salty taste is addicting. —Daynna Puckett, Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Peanut Butter Lover's PopcornA fun way to jazz up popcorn. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Candy Corn & Peanut Popcorn BallsMy daughter and I enjoy baking and cooking together, and this recipe is one my daughter can help make and then share at school.—Kim Shireman, Searcy, Arkansas
Decide who to host
A makeshift movie night is a fantastic way to fill your Friday evening with your immediate family. But if you’re planning to extend the invitation beyond your inner circle, there are simple ways to do so safely.
Make sure to keep your guest list tight; there should be no more than 10 attendees. If you wish to include more people, consider making movie night at your house a weekly event, hosting a different crew each time. That way, you’ll eventually get see all your neighbors, friends and extended family members.
Kindly request your guests bring their own blankets, chairs and concessions. (Hey, that way they get to pick their own candy!) Once everyone’s respective blankets are laid out the appropriate six feet apart, it will be apparent which areas are “off-limits” and “on-limits” for each group. Encourage guests to stick to their designated space.
Also, to limit exposure indoors, be sure to remind them to go to the bathroom before the gathering begins. And, if possible, lead them to the backyard via gate or outdoor walkway so they don’t need to trek through your home. Oh, don’t forget the hand sanitizer!
Choose a movie
Before the big night, you should decide what movie to put up on the big screen. Not only will this help with planning snacks and decorations, but it’ll also prevent any last-minute squabbles between siblings who want to watch something different.
For families with littler ones, choose a movie that is appropriate but appealing to all ages, regardless if they’re six or sixty. We suggest these:
- Disney. One of the recent live-action movies, like Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book or Maleficent, will entertain kids and parents alike.
- Star Wars. Introduce your kids to “a galaxy far, far away” while sitting under the stars! You might want to start off with The Force Awakens, as the 1977 effects of A New Hope might not hold the kiddos’ interest.
- A classic. Bring back a favorite movie from your own childhood like The Wizard of Oz, The Goonies, E.T. or The Muppet Movie.
If you’re planning to invite others, pick one of these iconic summer movies or a food-inspired film, like one of these:
Eat, Pray, Love
Eat, Pray, Love is a story of self-discovery as a newly minted divorcee travels through Italy, India and Bali. But for self-proclaimed foodies, this movie is two hours and twenty glorious minutes spent ogling over the mountains of pasta and gelato Julia Roberts eats. Now that's amore. Psst: Watch one of these films at your next outdoor movie night! Here's how to plan one.
Julie & Julia
The 2009 dramedy proves there's one thing in the world that can upstage Academy Award winner Meryl Streep: Julia Child's famously delicious—and yes, famously complex—beef bourguignon (One of our own editors even challenged herself to cooking like Julia for a week. See how she did.). Can't master the beef? Here are 25 tasty appetizers, entrees and desserts—all inspired by the larger-than-life chef. Bon appetit!
Mrs. Doubtfire
Amateur and professional chefs will agree: That infamous kitchen scene is so cringe-worthy, all we want to do is jump through the screen and teach Mrs. Doubtfire a thing or two about cooking. But, hey, we have to give the undercover housekeeper credit for making takeout look just as scrumptious as a home-cooked meal. Psst! Here are the top food etiquette mistakes everybody makes.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Why settle on one cuisine when you can enjoy two at the same time? The Hundred-Foot Journey seamlessly marries French food with Indian dishes, making us simultaneously crave chicken tikka masala and a croque madame. If you ask us, it basically gives fusion food a whole new meaning!
Ratatouille
Anyone can be a chef—even an adorable, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed rat named Remy. Not only is Ratatouille fun for the whole family, but it's also a recipe that will get your kids' foodie senses tingling in no time. As for what to make after the movie, this slow-cooked ratatouille is a no-brainer!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
We could go on and go about gyros, baklava and tzatziki sauce, but carnivores will agree the best part of My Big Fat Greek Wedding is when Aunt Voula abruptly asks, "What do you mean he don't eat no meat? Oh, that's okay. I make lamb!" And Toula, we think moussaka is infinitely tastier than a mere Wonder Bread sandwich. Find more of our favorite Greek-inspired recipes.
Waitress
From "Strawberry Chocolate Oasis Pie," to "Spaghetti Pie" to the, erm, unconventional "I Can't Have No Affair Because It's Wrong and I Don't Want Earl to Kill Me Pie," Waitress will give you plenty of inspiration to up your dessert game. Or dare we say give you a big helping of "Kick in the Pants Pie?" Need some pie, inspo? Try these.
Burnt
Boasting a 29 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, Burnt is by no means a blockbuster smash, but who's watching this movie for its plot or dialogue? We have our eyes glued on Adam Jones, played by Bradley Cooper, and his meticulously modern, Michelin star-worthy dishes.
Chocolat
Unleash your inner chocoholic by curling up with Chocolat. From chili-infused hot chocolate to bite-sized nibs, this movie is chock-full of recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth. And thanks to our list of sweet, chocolaty confections, you can turn your home into a patisserie.
Something's Gotta Give
If you have any doubts Something's Gotta Give is a bonafide foodie film, it's worth noting the Nancy Meyer's movie was shot at two major gourmand getaways: Ina Garten's former East Hampton hangout, Barefoot Contessa, and Paris' famed Le Grand Colbert. Check out Ina Garten's best cooking tips.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Sushi isn't something you'd normally make at home—but totally can, thanks to this yummy California roll recipe—which is what makes Jiro Dreams of Sushi a must-see. Plus, the level of precision chef Jiro Ono brings to each sushi, sashimi and maki roll is awe-inspiring.
Babette's Feast
Anyone who's hosting a dinner party needs to watch Babette's Feast, stat. Set in a 19th century Danish village, the 1987 flick reminds us of the power of a good meal. From the classic tablescapes to the flowing food and wine, consider it a comprehensive guide to throwing the party of the year. Throwing a dinner party of your own? Try some of these impressive (and affordable!) recipes.
Paris Can Wait
Between munching on prosciutto and melon and enjoying an impromptu picnic with grapes, cheese and wine, Paris Can Wait makes us want to pack our bags and jet off to the French Riviera. But since that's easier said than done, we'll settle for a perfectly curated cheese board and charcuterie. If the sumptuous shots don't tug at your taste buds, the foodie-friendly one-liners will. "Food is good for the soul," Jacques muses. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
The Five-Year Engagement
Technically, The Five-Year Engagement falls into rom-com territory, but any love story that ends with a taco truck sounds like happily ever after to us. As a bonus, the movie offers an insider look at Zingerman's, one of the most popular college sandwich joints in all of Ann Arbor—if not, the country.
Chef
Speaking of food trucks, there's no way we could leave out Chef. Between its dreamy recipes and up-close shots of ooey,gooey grilled cheese and savory skillets, this movie has food goals written all over it. And with Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson and Sofia Vergara, the cast isn't half bad either. Here are the best food trucks in every state.Once you’ve picked out a movie, make sure you have a way to watch it. That might mean purchasing or renting a hard copy or streaming it on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu or another service.
Set up your theater
Bringing the movie theater-experience outdoors requires some equipment. Here are some things you’ll want to make sure you have on hand.
- Projector. When it comes to outdoor movie nights, a projector is a must. We like this model from Wsky because its LED lens provides a bright, clear picture and can be controlled remotely. Plus, it’s compatible with laptops, Roku and Amazon Fire sticks, SD cards and gaming systems, so you can watch your movie no matter how it’s stored or streamed.
- Screen. Depending on how your yard is organized, you can project the movie onto the side of your house or garage. If those structures are made of something too textured, like siding or brick, a portable screen might be a better bet. This free-standing screen from TaoTronics comes with its tripod, has a 160° viewing angle and is height adjustable.
- Speakers. Unless your projector has multiple built-in speakers, you’ll probably want to hook up an external speaker so all your guests can hear the movie. AOMAIS’ GO portable speaker is a great option as it can connect with devices via Bluetooth or an audio jack and is battery-operated, so you don’t have to worry about plugging it in.
- Extension cords. If your speakers or projector aren’t battery operated, make sure you have a few extension cords handy to reach from your closest outlet to the devices. Digital Energy offers a 6-outlet, 50-foot long power strip that works well.
Make it comfortable
Ensure that you can kick back in comfort with these items:
- Grab lots of pillows and blankets to create a picniclike environment on your lawn.
- If you’re setting your movie night up on a driveway, blankets might not be plush enough to soften the ground. Instead, put out patio or folding camping chairs.
- Keep mosquitos and other bugs from buzzing in your ear with citronella candles and bug spray. You can even set out a pot of bug-repelling plants like lavender, basil, rosemary and mint.
- Set out walkway lights or inexpensive flashlights. This will help prevent anyone from accidentally stepping on a fellow guest or tripping over any equipment. Cover all your bases with these essential products for your outdoor movie night.
Serve movie theater classics
The fact that you’re providing refreshments only for your immediate family makes things a whole lot easier. No need to worry about appeasing all your guests or whipping up multiple batches! Here’s what to serve:
- Is it even a movie night if you don’t have popcorn? Pop snack-sized popcorn bags and provide mix-ins like clarified butter, salt, caramel sauce, powdered ranch, grated Parmesan cheese or cinnamon sugar.
- Satisfy sweet-tooths with theater candies like Twizzlers, Sno Caps, Swedish Fish, Junior Mints and more.
- If you’re looking to serve something more substantial than popcorn and candy, turn to one of these easy appetizers that are made with 5-ingredients or fewer.
- Serve bottled water and soft drinks out of a cooler that’s at least 25% full of ice to be sure they stay cold even after the movie has ended. Serve beer and other adult beverages in a separate cooler.
- Stick to disposable plates and napkins to make cleanup a breeze.
More fun ideas
Even though the movie is the main event, you can add to the fun of the night with some of these activities:
- While your guests are still trickling in, play a game of movie-related trivia or charades to get the fun started.
- Provide glow sticks to light up the night. Trust us—the kids will be mesmerized by them long after the movie ends. Here are more ways to take your outdoor movie night to the next level.
- If you have a fire pit, roast s’mores for a late-night treat.
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