How to Host an Elevated Outdoor Movie Night This Summer

The weather’s just right, you’ve got an ample supply of buttery popcorn at-the-ready, and the opening scene of a treasured film officially starts rolling. Welcome to the perfect outdoor movie night—an intimate, cozy event with your favorite people that’s literal steps from your door.

To pull off a memorable starlit screening in your own backyard, follow these expert tips for hosting an outdoor movie night.

Step 1: Gather the Viewing Essentials 

Before sending out invites or thinking about décor, the first step of hosting a backyard movie night is to make sure you have all the right technical essentials. 

Screen

“There are great options available now, from inflatable versions to clean freestanding frames,” says Hank Stampfl, founder and CEO of Revel Rouge. “We recently produced a beautiful installation in Soho with a hidden, drop-down screen.”

Sarona Farrell, founder and lead planner at Gloweddings, says you can even go old-school and opt for a sheet tied between two trees. 

Projector

You’ll also need a portable projector. Stampfl says it needs to be bright enough for outdoor use—ideally between 700 and 1,000 lumens—and should be compatible with your preferred streaming device (such as your laptop, Roku stick, or phone). 

Speakers 

Don’t overlook sound quality for your backyard movie night. It makes a huge difference in your guests’ experience, especially with ambient outdoor noise and any chatting that might happen.

“Invest in quality speakers or consider a wireless setup,” Stampfl says, “to ensure everyone can hear clearly from every corner.” 

Step 2: Tidy the Yard 

Take extra care to tidy the yard and make sure the grass and hedges are trimmed. “Keeping the grass short and making sure it’s not overwatered in the days leading up to the event will give guests a soft (but not soggy) surface to go barefoot on,” says McKenzi Taylor, event planner and founder of Gather After. “And trimming back bushes and hedges and cleaning up dead leaves and fallen twigs makes a backyard more inviting.”

If you’ve artificial turf, she advises hiring a professional restoration team to give it a refresh. This service will bring your turf back to life and is well worth it when you are entertaining friends and family for a backyard movie night. “And it goes without saying that you should be cleaning up after Fido before having guests over for a backyard movie night,” Taylor adds.

Step 3: Set Up Some Cozy Seating 

Only second to video and sound quality is comfortable seating, which will ensure your guests enjoy the entire multi-hour movie experience. “The larger your group of friends and family, the more you’ll want to supply seats of different heights,” says Taylor. “Everyone will want to sit in the middle of the space and watch the movie from the center of the screen, so stepping up their viewing angles as you get into rows two and three will make a huge difference in everyone’s sight lines.” 

She says to set out soft and comfy rugs and lots of oversized pillows and blankets in the front row, work long outdoor couches and oversized outdoor chairs into the second row, and use stage risers to lift your third row above the first two.

If you’ve got the room and the truck, in a pinch, you could back the tailgate up to the rear-most row and put some camp chairs in the truck bed to elevate the furthest row back.

Step 4: Offer a Themed, Elevated Menu

Food is where you can get creative and truly elevate the experience. “Go beyond the basics and build a menu inspired by the movie,” Stampfl suggests. “It adds a thoughtful, curated layer that guests will remember.” For example:

• If you’re watching The Great Gatsby, serve champagne cocktails, caviar bites, and mini lobster rolls for a touch of decadence. 
• Or if it’s the ABBA-infused Mamma Mia!, offer a Mediterranean spread via mezze platters, dolmas, spanakopita, grilled lemon chicken, and fresh tzatziki. 
• With a ‘90s or ‘00s nostalgic pick like Clueless or Mean Girls, opt for truffle mac and cheese, pink cocktails, mini sliders, or a gourmet candy assortment. 

Whatever you’re watching, Stampfl also recommends creating a popcorn station. “Set up different salts and seasonings such as truffle, cheddar, chili lime, or something sweet like cinnamon sugar,” he says. “It’s a small detail that guests love, and it encourages everyone to go back for seconds.”

Step 5: Decorate With Fun Touches 

Even the tiniest touches can level up an outdoor movie night. “Decorating with blooming flowers is a nice touch. If you don’t have anything currently growing in your yard, then you can always bring houseplants outdoors for the night and let them greenify your space,” Taylor says.

Stampfl also recommends adding some mood lighting. Market lights on a dimmer switch provide adjustable lighting that sets the tone, and uplighting on trees or nearby structures in colors that reflect the film are a fun touch. 

You can also play up the movie theme. For a romantic comedy, think soft pastels, heart-shaped décor, or even a cheeky marquee sign with a famous quote. For something more retro, vintage popcorn boxes or old film reels as table décor add a playful nod. These also make for fun little photo ops. 

Expert Tips You Don’t Want to Forget

Along with the basics above, consider these pro tips when planning a backyard movie night. From final details to contingency plans, they’ll send your event above and beyond.

• Have extra blankets or shawls available in case the temperature drops. They also make the night feel cozier and more intimate. 
• Keep some bug spray nearby, light citronella candles, and have some fans going. All the above will help keep pesky insects away. 
• “If you’re hosting in a neighborhood setting, consider using wireless headphones to keep the sound contained and neighbor-friendly,” Stampfl suggests. 
• Fingers crossed you get a gorgeous night, but always have a contingency plan. Stampfl says that having a tent, a covered patio, or an easy way to shift the evening indoors will help alleviate stress leading up to your viewing.