10 Fun Ideas for an Outdoor Movie Night
Updated: Feb. 05, 2024
Make your outdoor movie night a party to remember with these tips covering food, drinks, decorations and more!
I love to re-watch Ratatouille and other food-inspired movies at home. But they’re even more fun to watch under the starry sky with friends. Here’s how to plan an outdoor movie night that can happen right in your backyard—I found everything you need for the perfect party, including Remy’s ratatouille recipe!
Send out tickets
“Admit One” by mailing out real invitations that look exactly like tickets or including tickets in the envelope! You can ask your friends to bring the tickets to your party, and it’s a fun way to make it feel like a real theater. (Of course, you’ll let it slide when one or two people forget their “ticket.”)
Set up a red carpet
Use a red carpet to make your party feel like a glamorous film premiere, a celebrity event or the Academy Awards. You might need to have a friend taking photos, too! It’s easier than you’d think to do—you can order red carpets from places like Etsy.
Pick the right flick
Figure out what you’re going to watch before the party starts! Try to pick a movie that everyone will enjoy. Personally, we’re big fans of Star Wars (because of this Star Wars food) and Harry Potter (hello, magical recipes!), which could even be the theme for your backyard get-together.
Bring the wild things
If you show a film that has animals as the main characters like Zootopia, Dr. Doolittle, Lion King or Stuart Little, bring a few pets to the party! It doesn’t have to be a real-life animal—try cut-out cookies in the shape of the characters for a wild touch. We have an easy recipe for sugar cookies that’s perfect for cute animal shapes.
Cast a magic spell
There are so many fun wizard movies, from Harry Potter to the Wizard of Oz, or even the Chronicles of Narnia. If you show a movie with a spellbinding element, enchant the party by giving each guest a magic wand! There are hundreds for less than $5 on Etsy, like these colorful wands perfect for spells and perfect photos.
Pop some popcorn
Popcorn is a movie-watching essential. Instead of providing plain old popcorn at your party, make a popcorn bar. Make a large amount of popcorn (we found the best brands for you) and provide mix-ins for guests to add. Try ranch seasoning, flavored salt, Milk Duds, even sprinkles, and of course you can’t forget melted butter!
Provide a signature drink
Skip the soda you’d get at the regular movie theater. This get-together calls for a splendid signature drink! Take a look at our favorite mocktails—they’re all fresh, fizzy and colorful. You’ll easily be able to find one that your friends will love.
Get comfy on the ground
Provide lots of blankets and pillows so your friends can get comfortable. Make sure you use washable pillowcases and blankets that are okay to bring outside. If you have beach or deck chairs, adding a pillow instantly turns them into movie watching chairs!
Serve up a sweet midnight snack
The night should end on a sweet note. Instead of a heavy dessert like cookies or cake, try chocolate-covered fruit to end the night. We have ten easy-to-make ideas for fruit dipped in chocolate right here.
Glow in the dark
It’s always dark when you’re watching a movie, which makes it a perfect time to wear something that glows. From glow sticks, to glow necklaces there are some fun options to brighten up the night. We love these glow-in-the-dark cups because your guests will always be able to spot their drink in the dark theater—I mean, yard!
Originally Published: July 19, 2018
