Movie night: Guide to creating a great backyard movie night

by Pierre C. Rumpf 03/24/2025

Movies are a great way to spend time with loved ones and connect. Movie night, backyard fun and a few incredible snacks can turn your home's outdoor space into a fantastic outdoor movie night.

Here are a few tips to help you create and enjoy your outdoor movie theater.

Projector & Bluetooth speakers

Outdoor movies usually mean using a projector. Try a projector with Bluetooth capabilities included. This feature can help you boost sound through an external speaker and easily connects to mobile devices. 

Keep the movie screen tight

Plain white walls are usually an excellent option for projecting movies, as long as the wall is smooth. Another viable option is a white sheet or tarp.

Be sure to keep your screen of choice tight to maintain a clear, crisp picture. Using laundry or binder clips on a hanging wire can secure the top, while camping or yard spikes can secure the bottom. 

Keep your screen in the shade

It’s a good idea to keep your movie screen in the shade. During the day, your film's visibility may be affected by the sun. At night, streetlights and other illumination sources may hinder you at night.

Bring snacks for your outdoor movie night 

Popcorn is often considered a staple movie snack. You can also set up a concession stand filled with some of your guests favorite candy and chips, which is sure to delight everyone at your next backyard movie night. 

Placing Cozy seating & shelters 

Inflatable camping sofas are a great option for outdoor seating. You could also ask guests to bring their own. If you want to bring in a little more of the "sleepover" vibe, try including blankets and pillows.

You can shelter your movie area with a large tarp or outdoor canopy.

Ambient lighting

Add ambient lighting around your DIY movie theater setup to really create a cozy atmosphere. Consider adding tiki torches around the garden. Lanterns can also be placed along the walkways, with string lights adorning the area.

Now you’re all set! Once you have your outdoor movie screen, projector, seating, lighting and snacks you’re good to go.

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.