National Movie Night | Create Your Own Backyard Theater
This National Movie night, take a break from the monotony of your work week with a fun movie night at home with family and friends— and a twist! Our guide will give you all the tools you need to set up a full backyard theater complete with great accessories and even better popcorn. Read on to find out more.
Outdoor Movie Screen • Pottery Barn • $349
The Featured Presentation
For a real movie night experience, you’ll need a portable projector and a screen. Fortunately, there are many outdoor projectors available these days at a variety of prices. Pay attention to the lumens (how bright the projector is) and the resolution at the desired range. You will also want to make sure that your projector can handle your desired content format (Blu-ray, external hard drive, HDMI connection, etc.).
Cosmos Laser 4K Projector • A projector so bright you can even watch with the lights on, with 4K UHD quality • Nebula • $1,999.99
The Freestyle Portable Projector • 180 degree design gives you the flexibility to point, play and enjoy a big screen experience • Samsung • $599.99
Cinema, With Style
Style your outdoor theater with blankets and piles of outdoor cushions to give it a cozy look and feel. Don’t forget to light a fire for a little extra ambiance. Hanging string lights from your patio or trees adds a magic tough. And of course, popcorn is a must. Peruse our picks here:
Straight from a family-owned farm in Alabama, it’s ready to zip through the air popper and then take all the toppings you desire.
Stone Hollow Farmstead Premium Non-GMO Popcorn • Stone Hollow Farmstead • $26
Recycled Wool Picnic Blanket • Tartan Blanket Co. • $160
In the living room, out on the deck...a personal campfire is ready to add a little warmth indoors and out.
FLÎKR Fire Personal Concrete Fireplace • FLÎKR Fire • $99
Globe Bistro String Lights • Allsop • $50
Collapsible Outdoor Wine & Beer Table • Faircraft • $62-64
Sip and Stream!
Make your set-up stress free with a collapsible table. Perfect for sticking in a planter or on the side of your lawn.
Popcorn, Seven Ways
Around-the-World Coconut Popcorn Mix • Recipe by Vrunka
The smell and sound of a freshly popped buttered batch of popcorn is a must-have for any truly authentic movie-going experience. Feel like switching it up from the standard? Try one of these unconventional recipes!
Perfectly crispy and crunchy popcorn, this recipe is coated in a sweet and salty soy sauce caramel.
Teriyaki Popcorn • Recipe by Wisconsin From Scratch
Kale-Dusted Pecorino Popcorn • Recipe by Deb Perelman
Angostura Bitters-Glazed Popcorn • Recipe by The F+B Department
Party Popcorn • Recipe by Merrill Stubbs
Sticky Caramel Popcorn Balls • Recipe by Samantha Seneviratne
Maple Rosemary Kettle Corn • Recipe by Sustained Kitchen
In search of a backyard primed for outdoor movie nights? Explore our collection of properties below:
This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated for June, 2023.