20 Themes and Ideas for an Outdoor Movie Party
Lauren Miolene
Editor
So, you’re looking to take advantage of the warmer weather and spend time with friends without doing anything over-the-top? This is your sign to plan an outdoor movie night for an easy way to celebrate this year.
The best part about an outdoor movie night is that it can be as simple or as grand as you’d like. Luckily for you, we’ve put together the ultimate list of all our favorite outdoor movie party ideas to make this celebration a success.
Get the full list of outdoor movie party ideas here…
Outdoor Movie Party Screen Rental
First things first, check the most important step of party planning off the list: booking an outdoor movie screen. The Bash has local outdoor movie screen rentals that will help turn your simple get together into an unforgettable watch party experience. Rather than bringing a TV outside or dealing with the chaos of chords from a projector, leave it to the professionals.
Food Carts
Depending on the size of your get-together or outdoor movie birthday party, consider booking a variety of food carts to keep guests well fed. Don’t get stuck on popcorn duty during your own party; food carts make menu planning a breeze. Book a variety of options to act as concession stands like popcorn, cotton candy, or even burgers.
Outdoor Furniture Rental
You’ll want to make sure there is plenty of comfortable seating at your outdoor movie party. Browse local outdoor furniture rentals on The Bash that feature options like tents, tables, or maybe even bean bags. Leave a folded blanket on each seat if it gets chilly for a cozy outdoor movie night party idea.
Find Outdoor Furniture Rentals
Beverage Station
Salty, buttery popcorn needs delicious drink options to help wash it down. Set up a drink station with plenty of bottles of water, soda, juice, slushies, and other beverages to keep everyone’s thirst quenched. If you’re feeling fancy, why not book a mobile bar to set up in the backyard and mix up classic cocktails?
More Outdoor Movie Party Ideas and Themes:
The Parent Trap
Plan a Parent Trap themed outdoor movie party this summer to bring tons of nostalgia. Halley and Annie rekindled their sisterhood at summer camp, so channel the classic summer camp vibe. Set up a fire to roast marshmallows, serve Oreos and peanut butter, and gather all of the supplies you’ll need for guests to tie dye.
The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)
If you’re a Swiftie and haven’t planned your Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) watch party, what are you doing? This concert was meant for the big screen, so if you weren’t able to go to one of her shows (or if you have) bring the concert experience to you! Book a photo booth with Taylor Swift themed props and backdrops, serve cocktails inspired by each era, and set up a DIY friendship bracelet making station so guests can trade all night long.
Baseball Tailgate
Plan the ultimate tailgate this year to watch the game with all of your friends. For example, if you want to watch the Yankees vs Red Sox game, why not invite everyone over to watch it outside on the big screen? Serve stadium style hot dogs with all of the fixings, plenty of beer, and you could even book a caricaturist to draw everyone in their team’s swag.
The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries is a classic movie night option that’ll never get old. Use this movie as the backdrop for your outdoor movie birthday party to ring in 16, 22, or any other year! To channel this theme, you’ll want to encourage guests to wear their favorite PJs and tiaras, serve Genovian pear inspired food and drinks, and have a princess karaoke session like at Mia’s bridal shower.
Star Wars
Whether you’re celebrating Star Wars Day (May 4th) or just want an excuse to binge watch this classic film series, incorporate an out of this world theme for your outdoor movie birthday party. In addition to watching the action packed movies, take this event up a notch by booking costumed characters like Jedis and Storm Troopers to interact with guests. You’ll also want to serve Star Wars themed food like wookie cookies and Yoda soda for delicious refreshments, too.
Barbie
If you’re searching for fun outdoor movie night party ideas, the craze of Barbie isn’t stopping any time soon. Invite guests to wear their favorite pink outfit, whip up rosy recipes like the viral pink beet pasta, and have a fabulous outdoor dinner party while you watch Margot Robbie save Barbieland.
Alice in Wonderland
Transform your backyard into the setting of Alice in Wonderland with colorful decorations, oversized playing cards, and an extraordinary tea party. Watch Alice fall down the rabbit hole on the big screen while you enjoy “eat me” and “drink me” refreshments for fun outdoor movie night party ideas. If you want to really surprise your guests, you could even book a fortune teller to read tea leaves during the get-together.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Movie nights and candy go hand in hand, so Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or the latest WONKA is the perfect theme option for your outdoor movie party. For this movie night theme, set up a movie theater candy station filled with plenty of sweet treats to complement the salty popcorn, rent a chocolate fountain, and maybe even book a bounce house to replicate the Fizzy Lifting Room.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
This hit Amazon series is the perfect show to watch during the summertime. If you’re getting together with your friends and are searching for outdoor movie party ideas, you’ll love a night under the stars while catching up on The Summer I Turned Pretty. For this theme you’ll want to serve the Belly Special (pomegranate margaritas), build a bonfire, and fill your backyard with plenty of fresh flowers Susannah would love.
Toy Story
For an evening of nostalgia, you’ll love a Toy Story outdoor movie party that's the perfect family friendly option. While watching the Disney movie series, you’ll want to serve guests Pizza Planet pizza, Al’s cheese puffs, and create themed balloon arches that will lead the way to your outdoor movie party.
Top Gun
Top Gun: Maverick is the perfect summer movie, so why not turn it into a theme for your outdoor movie birthday party? Channel the excitement between Goose and Rooster by booking a lively pianist to entertain guests before the movie begins. You can also set up a volleyball net as well as other outdoor games so people will be able to move around during the movie.
Bridgerton
Celebrate the social season with an outdoor viewing party of the latest season of Bridgerton. Host your outdoor movie party in your garden, invite guests to wear their best dressy attire, and set up a long table for an elegant tea party so you can sip along with the Bridgertons. If you want extremely unique outdoor movie night party ideas, you can even book a silhouette artist that will create custom pieces of art for each guest.
Moana
Take inspiration from the gorgeous beaches of Polynesia and host a Moana outdoor movie birthday party for your little one. While having the Disney movie play on the big screen, create an immersive experience for everyone by booking costumed characters and even a petting zoo. Guests will be able to interact with Moana, Maui, and even Heihei and Pua!
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is the perfect option for an outdoor movie night. Just imagine watching the dinosaurs and scientists adventure around the park while you’re outside! To elevate the movie watching experience, book a balloon twister to recreate everyone’s favorite dinosaurs, serve dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, and set up a jungle backdrop to create a perfect photo opp.
Great Gatsby
Now is your chance to recreate the iconic party scene from The Great Gatsby. While you might not be hosting at a luxurious Long Island mansion, you can bring the roaring twenties to you. Encourage guests to dress in suits and dresses, serve classic cocktails, and you can even book a jazz band and flapper dancers to help channel the time period.
Coastal Grandmother
The coastal grandmother aesthetic is made for the spring and summer time, so host a chic outdoor movie party inspired by this style trend. On your outdoor movie screen, project any Nancy Meyers film to help set the tone. Serve a delicious pasta dish paired with white wine, and accent your space with hydrangeas and other fresh flowers.
Find more party themes and ideas here on The Bash.
