Backyard Movie Night

There is no need to spend $10 to $13 a head on tickets for the latest blockbuster hit when you can have a lot more fun — for a whole lot less — hosting your own backyard movie night. If you've got space in your yard, driveway, even on your rooftop, setting up an outdoor screen is easy with our simple tips. No matter the age of your audience, with some refreshing drinks and sweet and salty treats that are better than what you'd fine in a theater, a good time is sure to be had by all. Just be sure to wait until the sun goes down before you start the show!

Choose the Movie

What you screen depends on your audience. If you're entertaining kids, a series of popular cartoons or classic animated movies like Tarzan or Toy Story or will surely catch and hold their attention. For an adult crowd, go with comedies (anything with Will Ferrell) or action films — or all-time favorites like Pulp Fiction. Stay away from deep, serious movies with a complicated plot line in the event guests turn away for a moment only to miss crucial details. Are you a movie night pro looking for an added challenge? Pick a movie like Fried Green Tomatoes or My Big Fat Greek Wedding and let the film inspire any additional décor and your menu.

Set up a white flat sheet over your garage door for a drive-in feel or hang it from a wall, deck, clothesline, or tree branches. Looking to create a makeshift screen that will last you all year — even multiple seasons? Check out this easy D.I.Y. project. (Photo credit: Istock/sturmwarnung)

If you don't have a projector to use at home (or borrow), renting a good one is easy and inexpensive with Projector123.com. They will send you one the day before you need it, and you send it right back the next day. Once it's set up, don't forget to test that everything works smoothly before friends arrive. 

Creature Comforts

Hosting movie night in the backyard? Ask guests to bring their own blankets and set out any lawn furniture and big pillows you might have for a cushier option. Add just the right amount of light and ambiance with votive candles placed in jars on tables in the back and some oil torches. Alternatively you could string white Christmas lights across the space like they have in the outdoor party scene in Sabrina.

In case guests get chilly during the movie, ask them to bring along a sweater. Set out some natural citronella and more potent bug sprays in the back to keep the pests from biting.

What to Serve

What movie night would be complete without popcorn? Pop your own at home — or buy a big bag from your market — and set out individual-sized custom cones for guests to create their own popcorn. Click here for a simple how-to for making your own cones at home. Set out a variety of toppings like garlic salt, Sriracha, melted butter, grated Parmigiano, even melted chocolate, for garnishing. Looking for more ideas? Here are some of our more unusual favorites.

For those with a sweet tooth, serve a variety of popular movie-theater candies in glass jars on a table in the back. Why? Because Reese's Pieces are really good with salted popcorn. For those who don't like popcorn, be sure to have a homemade sweet treat like Muddy Buddies or these gluten- and dairy-free almond fig balls, as well.

To quench your guests' thirst, whip up a batch of kid-friendly pink lemonade. Serve it in big jugs so you don't have to constantly refill pitchers. For the adults in the crowd, try this spiked lemonade — or a more festive fruity sangria.