How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Movie Theater This Summer
Welcome to The Best Summer Ever , your guide to making the most of the sunny season. Whether your idea of the perfect summer is one of epic adventure or a blissful effort to do as little as possible, we’ve got you covered. Because the best summers don’t just happen—you have to make them.
There comes a time on some lazy summer evenings when you practically demand a movie. It’s too dark to continue playing cornhole, but it’s too early to call anything, and someone says, “We need to watch something.” Suddenly, you wish the drive-in theaters were still there, because an outdoor movie sounds perfect.
Luckily, you can recreate the movie night experience in your own backyard, and do it better than your grandparents did in 1967. Whether you’re hosting an entire block or just hanging out with family, below you’ll find everything you need to turn your lawn into a true backyard movie theater that’ll be the envy of everyone on the block.
Choosing a Projector for a Backyard Theater
The most obvious solution to showing movies outside is to take your TV out into your backyard and set it up, but are you a caveman? You can avoid the logistical hassle of extension cords, finding stable surfaces, and the risk of ruining your equipment by using either a dedicated outdoor TV or a projector.
If you plan to watch TV outside a lot, a set like the Samsung Terrace gets great reviews . But it costs several thousand dollars, so a projector is a better option for us mere mortals. Not only is it cheaper than a high-end set, but it also offers the authenticity that comes with projecting onto a real screen. What’s the best way to watch Jaws ?
Our Top Pick for Outdoor Projectors : XGIMI MoGo Pro If you’re the type to get straight to the point, Lifehacker AV expert Daniel Oropeza has tested a ton of outdoor projectors, and his top pick is the XGIMI MoGo Pro . It’s definitely worth adding the stand/power base to make it completely wireless.
However, there are many options, and some projectors are better suited to certain situations and preferences than others. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right option for you:
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Resolution : If you’re a true movie buff and need high resolution even for casual movie viewing, consider the Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE . It delivers full 4K resolution, just like it says on the box.
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Brightness : The larger the screen, the brighter the projector needs to be. You also need to consider ambient light – the more ambient light there is, the more brightness you need. Luckily, even a budget projector like this BenQ GV30 projector will be good enough for watching movies at night, and they’re also extremely lightweight and portable.
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Tight Space : If you don’t have a big backyard but still want to project a big image, you may want to look at short throw projectors like the Optoma GT780 .
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Wires : You can avoid the hassle of running extension cords outside by using a wireless projector, like the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector .
Our sister site PCMag recently took a deep dive into outdoor projectors and named the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 the best overall, so it’s a great place to start (or end) your research.
Choosing the Right Screen for Your Backyard Cinema
Video on the wall of a house or garage can work, but only if the wall is white and not textured. Any imperfections will cast distracting shadows. Plaster is definitely not an option. A hanging sheet can work in a pinch, as long as it is free of wrinkles and there is no wind to blow your video away. But the best solution is a separate screen. Here are some suggestions:
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Large Option : This 16-foot diagonal inflatable screen has been a hit with Amazon users, and it’s seriously huge.
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A more modest choice: Lifehacker’s Daniel Oropeza swears by the 120-inch Manual Retractable Projection Screen : “It’s cheap and works great in Atlanta’s humidity,” he told me. (We talk about movie screens a lot. )
Choosing a Media Player for Your Outdoor Cinema
Most projectors designed for home use, even budget ones, are smart devices that stream right out of the box, so you don’t have to lug your Blu-ray player outside. But if your projector doesn’t, plug in a USB streamer like the Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon Fire TV Stick . Boom: problem solved.
Choosing a Sound System for Your Outdoor Cinema
Many projectors come with built-in speakers, but they’re often tinny and sad. Since sound is half the movie-watching experience, you’ll probably want something better. Most people will want to go the Bluetooth speaker route. I’ve already written a guide to great outdoor speaker setups , and the same rules apply to movies as they do to music. But if you want something more serious, something like this Sonance Patio Series 4.1 speaker system can live in your yard full-time and provide background music year-round, as well as full surround sound for movie night.
Outdoor Cinema Extras You May Not Have Thought About
Extension Cords: The amount of wire you’ll need to run into your backyard will depend entirely on how you have your wiring set up and what equipment you’re using, but it doesn’t hurt to have a long extension cord or two on hand so you don’t have to run to Staples for the movie.
Wire Protection Mat : Speaking of wires, consider using a wire protection mat to ensure all wiring is covered and guests don’t trip over it.
Wi-Fi Extender : Before the movie, check to see if your Wi-Fi reaches your backyard. If not, consider a Wi-Fi extender .
Blankets : Be sure to have extra blankets on hand in case it gets cold.
What films should be shown at an outdoor film night?
The movie you choose really is the most important thing about your outdoor movie night. Common sense says to stick to feel-good classics: Back to the Future, The Goonies, Raiders of the Lost Ark. But it’s your movie night, so watch some Bergman if you want. For tons of great movie ideas, check out Lifehacker cinephile Ross Johnson’s list of the hottest movies of the summer.
Ideas to Make a Movie Night at Home Really Special
There are many ways to turn your best summer movie night into an event, rather than just “watching movies outside.” Here are a few ideas:
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Theme night: Pick a theme and stick to it: 1980s movies, superhero night, romantic comedy marathon—whatever suits your group.
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Create a program : Take a page from how theaters have done things in the past and show a few related trailers , drive- in titles , or even newsreels before the main film. You can find compilations of all of these on YouTube.
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Trivia : Everyone loves a trivia contest. You can create your own group trivia contests on Kahoot that can be shown on a screen in your yard, so make one related to the genre you are showing.
With just a few tools and a little planning, you can bring back the magic of drive-in theaters without leaving your own backyard.