13 Outdoor Movie Night Ideas to Bring the Big Screen Experience Home

Outdoor events have grown ever more popular over the last couple of years, and how much fun is a film screening en plein air? There are tons of ways to throw an outdoor movie night event – in fact, it’s hard to go wrong. To help you plan your big-screen festivities, we’ve compiled a list of outdoor movie night ideas for inspiration.  

1. Choose your location 

One thing you’ll need for an outdoor movie event is a comfortable space in which to hold your event. With Peerspace, the world’s leading peer-to-peer venue booking network, you can host events at all sorts of amazing outdoor venues, from pools and spas to rooftop spaces, botanical gardens, and so much more. Just visit the website or open the app, enter your event type (like “outdoor event” )and location, and you’ll be presented with a list of spaces to choose from to set the scene for a great movie night.

You can even book a Peerspace with the gear you need – a projector, screen, and speakers – on-hand, like this Venice Beach boho backyard space. Your guests of all ages can unwind under string lights, on the couch and cushions in the boho-chic tent, or comfy chairs, hammocks, and swings. There is a playhouse for kids, access to a barbeque grill, fire pits, a bathroom, and a kitchenette – not to mention a 21-foot inflatable movie screen and projector ready for your use. 

2. Choose a lush garden space 

Set up a movie night in this amazing flower garden space in Clinton Hill, New York. Guests can wander the garden paths after they stream in, then they can gather around as you cue up the feature film using the provided movie screen and projector. This space includes a covered terrace, seating for 30, a sound system, a barbecue grill, a wet bar, and a food prep area for all your snacks. It even has heat lamps available for those cool nights!

3. Get some green

You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re out of the city at this versatile urban oasis space near Austin. Your guests can take a load off and enjoy a film under the covered deck by the bar or sprawl under the stars on the spacious lawn. You can even get a campfire going to make s’mores.

4. Go with a cult classic

Look no further for an outdoor movie night idea than a cult classic-themed shindig. Your guests will have a blast dressing up and partying. You can go with “Pulp Fiction” and have a swanky dance-off, “The Big Lebowski” with big sweaters and white Russian cocktails, or “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and have a sing-along. Everyone will have a laugh and a good time, whatever your theme.

5. Host a family movie night

Bring the whole family for an all-ages movie night in this fantastic backyard space in Santa Clara, California. The kiddos can run wild on the playground before settling down for a movie the whole family can enjoy. This space has outdoor lights, a projector and speaker available, two coolers for your beverages of choice, and plenty of chairs and tables as well as outdoor sofas for your guests to relax. On chillier nights, ask the host to add on the use of the two outdoor heaters and fire pit!

6. Throw a film festival movie night

Invite your film buff friends and host an intimate movie night in this hip urban space in Berlin, the home of one of the biggest international film festivals in the world. Nestled in a lovely cityscape, this space includes a lovely deck with sofas for lounging, patio and lawn space, and access to the kitchen for preparing refreshments.

7. Host movie night in an English garden

Are you hosting a classy event like a fundraiser or corporate retreat? Your guests are sure to feel appreciated in the elegant settings of this courtyard garden in London. This urban garden rests under the canopy of a large London plane tree and is secluded with its own private entrance. Guests can take in the beautifully manicured greenery and relax on wooden patio furniture for your feature film of choice.

8. Book a real drive-in theater

For an outdoor movie night idea for the books, go all out and book a real drive-in movie theater like this fabulous modern outdoor theater space right off the Santa Monica pier. All your guests will have to do is show up – not even get out of the car. Unless, that is, you drive in a few food trucks to really sweeten the deal.

9. Get cozy with a pajama party

For the comfiest dress up of all, invite your guests to come to your outdoor movie event in their PJs. Folks can bring pillows and blankets or sleeping bags and snuggle up with their favorite snack. This is an outdoor movie night idea that everyone will love so much that they won’t want to go home.

You could even take it to the next level and make it a slumber party and invite guests to camp out at this beautiful glamping space in Elgin, TX. Set in an oak savanna countryside, your guests will have access to a kitchen and bathroom, not to mention the fresh forest air.

10. Make a splash

Spice up your movie night by making it a pool party! Peerspace has tons of pool spaces listed at any given time – like this magnificent backyard pool and spa space near Orlando, with fountains and a tropical garden scape. Guests can relax in the water, on deck chairs, or in the outdoor lounge while they take in a flick. 

11. Choose your refreshments

No matter the theme of your movie night event, you’ll want to have some refreshments on hand. Depending on your guest list, you might have a supply of beer and wine. On a cooler night, you could serve mugs of hot chocolate or a spiced hot toddy to keep your guests cozy. Don’t forget to throw in some juice boxes or lemonade for the kiddos. Just be sure to check with your host to ensure adult beverages are allowed.

12. Gather your gear

Found a great Peerspace but still need to rent a projector and screen for your movie? Then reach out to your venue’s friendly local host. They have their fingers on the pulse of the best rental services in the area. It’s also their mission to ensure your event goes off perfectly and so help you locate vendors and coordinate the equipment.

13. Round it out with the right snacks

When choosing your outdoor movie night idea, don’t forget one of the most important parts of a movie night – the snacks! You can go traditional with popcorn and candy, or maybe some hot dogs and soft pretzels. Or you could go with a taco or ice cream sundae bar if you want to really satisfy some munchies.

Find unique movie night venues on Peerspace