With the current state of the world at the moment, going to a public movie theatre may not be the best idea. But this doesn’t mean you can’t recreate the experience in your own home, or better yet, backyard.
There’s nothing more intimate, romantic, and novel than a backyard movie experience, and it can easily be created with just a few basic essentials. Once you’ve set up your makeshift, but cozy movie theatre, the hard part is deciding on what to watch.
Well, this blog is here to help with that decision. Read on to learn how to set up your backyard movie experience and the best movies to watch that everyone will enjoy.
The Top Essentials for a Backyard Movie Experience
You really don’t have to spend a fortune in order to create a comfortable and memorable movie theatre experience. But you will need a few basic essentials. It also takes some advance planning in terms of the weather and a few upfront expenses that will stand you in good stead for future movie nights.
A few items that will help to recreate a true movie theatre experience, with your own personal twist include:
- Old-school style popcorn boxes
- Simple, but colorful melamine dinnerware and cups for serving up movie snacks and drinks
- A crease-free movie screen such as a sheet, a blank white wall, or a collapsible snap-button frame
- A decent quality movie projector
- A separate pair of decent quality speakers
The best way to screen your movie of choice is to play it on a laptop, and connect your projector to it. But you’ll need to make sure you have the right cable to connect your projector to your laptop. Remember that if the purchase of a movie projector is way out of your budget, you can find affordable projector rentals in your area.
Aside from these essentials, you may also want to think about comfortable seating. A lawn blanket and cushions may seem like a good idea, but it offers no back support. So it’s best to go with comfortable lawn chairs or pool loungers and blankets. Drape your surrounding shrubbery with battery-operated fairy lights for an extra romantic, cozy atmosphere.
9 of The Best Movies to Watch to Suit All Tastes
Some family members and friends may have a specific taste in movies. This is to be expected when choosing the best movie for your outdoor theatre experience. But here is a versatile list that is sure to please a number of preferences:
- The Wizard of Oz
You really cannot go wrong with this true classic. The Wizard of Oz is a movie that appeals to all age groups and is a film everyone should see at least once in their life. It has a way of capturing the hearts and minds of all ages, even if it first premiered in 1939!
- Star Wars
For a real dose of escapism, Star Wars is your go-to. This is yet another true classic that will capture the imagination of both children and adults. Bear in mind though that the 1977 version of the Force franchise is the most child-friendly option.
- The Sound of Music
This is a great classic for young children and could not be more appropriate, fun, and entertaining for family viewing. For a heavy dose of nostalgia and feel-good romance, The Sound of Music is always a crowd-pleaser, even if it’s a little cheesy.
- The Sandlot
This is rated one of the best beach-inspired movies of all time and is a classic that both adults and children will enjoy. The movie celebrates America’s love for its favorite pastime –baseball. This movie will make you want to pack your bags and head to the seaside, stat!
- Back to the Future
This is the movie that put Michael J. Fox on the map. If you have not seen this ultimate cult classic, then Back to the Future is a must-watch. It’s an action flick, paired with plenty of humor based on a kid that travels back in time to hang out with his teenage parents.
- Mary Poppins
This movie is a wonderful tale that every child needs to see at least once in their life. It’s the perfect feel-good movie for the entire family and even includes a few sing-along bits. Mary Poppins was also the first movie of its time to incorporate live-action with animation.
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The mind-bending, creative, and captivating world of Willy Wonka is something all children and adults should see and experience. From Oompa Loompas to chocolate waterfalls, this movie actually holds a great message about being an honest and decent human being. You can either watch the 1970s classic or opt for the modern-day version featuring Johnny Depp.
- Jurassic Park
Is any outdoor movie experience complete without a screening of Jurassic Park? Probably not. This is a must-watch, even if you’ve seen it 10 times before! Opt for the classic 1993 version, featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Jeff Goldblum, of course. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this was a movie exceptionally advanced for its time.
- Inside Out
Even though this movie is an animation, it’s a great one for both children and adults. Be prepared to be hit right in the feels as the movie explores our inner workings of joy, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust as humans. The lead character, Bing Bong, will capture your heart and imagination like you never expected.
Are You a Movie Fanatic?
No doubt, deciding on the best movie that will please everyone is no easy feat. But hopefully, this list of classics helps you narrow down your decision for your next backyard movie night.
If you’re looking for more inspiration on the best movies to watch, make sure you explore the rest of this site for your fix. We offer movie bios, news, updates, and movie trends to help you keep abreast of all the best classics, both past, and present!