Planning the Ultimate Family Movie Night
Summer is almost here! We are looking ahead to longer evenings spent outside. There will be outdoor dinners to host, cookouts, late night bonfires, and movie nights. Outdoor movie season is here and we have some fun tips today to help you plan a fun night in your backyard!
Gather Your Gear
Movie projectors have come a long way and are much more affordable these days. We like this simple, portable one that can be used indoors or outdoors. You can charge it, connect it with a speaker, and start your movie! If you go the projector route, consider purchasing an affordable screen to project your movie onto. If investing in a projector feels like too much, you can set up a tv outside or even use a computer or tablet. Grab some pillows, blankets, and chairs and set up some cozy seating. Don’t forget to consider the sunset time and when it will be dark enough to start your movie. Test your setup before movie time to ensure everything is ready to go. Add some cozy twinkle lights, coolers for drinks, and extra blankets if the weather cools down. Don’t forget to make a backup plan in case the weather changes and you need to move everything inside!
Plan Your Snacks
Popcorn is the obvious choice. We love this simple air popper for quick and simple popcorn. You can set up a popcorn topping station and allow everyone to customize their own popcorn. Here are some of our favorite toppings:
Butter + cinnamon sugar
Olive oil + fresh grated parmesan + salt & pepper
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix powder
Chocolate chips + Sea salt
Butter + Lime + Chile
Up for a Theme?
Are you all in on a themed movie night? Too much? It can be a fun way to make a simple night a little special. We’ve gathered some simple themes and ideas below if you’re all in for a themed movie night.
Royal
Pick an age appropriate movie for your crowd. Younger kids will enjoy a classic like Princess & The Frog or Cinderella. Older kids will like The Princess Bride or The Princess Diaries. Pick a classic for adults like Roman Holiday. Guests can wear crowns and you can serve some themed snacks, such as pretzel wands or tea sandwiches.
Paris
Travel to Paris for movie night! Ratatouille is a crowd pleaser. Ballet fans will enjoy Leap! Older guests will enjoy a 90s classic like Before Sunrise or Midnight in Paris. Serve cheese, fruit, and baguettes.
Summer Classics
Stick with a summer classic! Movies like The Parent Trap, The Sandlot, and The Great Outdoors will be hits with all ages. Serve fun summer foods like popsicles, peanuts, and hot dogs.
Superhero
A superhero movie will always be a crowd pleaser. Younger kids will enjoy The Incredibles or Big Hero 6. Older kids might enjoy a throwback like Superman, Spiderman, Black Panther, or The Avengers. Encourage guests to sport some superhero gear and serve some themed foods like fruit skewers in the colors of each superhero and villain.
Keep a List
Utilize your planner for tracking the details for your evening. We love the Event Planning +page to keep details organized! Jot down your menu, shopping list, to-do items, and decor needs. After the movie night, use the Notes section in the layout to jot down how things went, what you would change for the next movie night.
We hope this post helps inspire a fun night for your family! And we want to hear from you! What movies and snacks are favorites in your house? Tell us in the comments below!