How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Movie Theater This Summer
Showing movies in the backyard is easier and less expensive than you might think.
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Welcome to "Best Summer Ever," your guide to getting the most out of the sunny season. Whether your idea of a perfect summer is embarking on epic adventures or blissfully doing as little as possible, we've got you covered. Because the best summer doesn't just happen—you have to make it happen.
There’s a moment on some lazy summer evenings that practically demands a movie. It’s too dark to keep playing corn hole, but too early to call it, and someone says, “We should watch something.” Suddenly, you’re wishing drive-ins were still around, because a movie under the stars sounds perfect.
Luckily, you can recreate that nighttime movie vibe in your backyard, and do it better than your grandparents did it in 1967. Whether you're hosting the whole block or just hanging with the family, below is everything you need to turn your lawn into a legit backyard theater that will make you the envy of the cul-de-sac.
Choosing a projector for a backyard movie theater
The most obvious solution to screening movies outside is to haul your TV to the backyard and set it up, but what are you, a caveman? You can avoid the logistical problems of extension cords, finding stable surfaces, and the risk of ruining your gear with either a dedicated outdoor TV or a projector.
If you plan to watch TV outside a lot, a set like the Samsung Terrace receives excellent reviews. But it’s several thousand dollars, so a projector is a better option for us mere mortals. Not only is it less expensive than a high-end set, there’s an authenticity that comes with projecting onto an actual screen. What better way is there to watch Jaws?
Our top overall top pick for outdoor projector: The XGIMI MoGo Pro. If you're a get-to-the-point kind of person, Lifehacker’s resident AV expert, Daniel Oropeza, has been testing a ton of outdoor projectors, and his top choice is the XGIMI MoGo Pro. It's definitely worth it to add the stand/powerbase to make it totally cordless.
There are a lot of choices out there, though, and some projectors are better than others for some situations and preferences. Here are some things to think about when choosing the right one for you:
Resolution: If you're a true cinephile, and you need high resolution, even on casual movie night, consider this Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE. It delivers full 4K resolution, just like it says on the tin.
Brightness: The bigger the screen, the brighter the projector needs to be. You also need to take the ambient light into account—the more ambient light, the more brightness you need. Luckily, even a budget-friendly projector like this BenQ GV30 projector will do a decent enough job for movie night, and they're extremely light and portable, too.
Tight space: If you don't have a huge backyard, but you still want to project a big image, you can take a look at projectors with short throw lens, like this Optoma GT780.
Cords: You can avoid the hassle of running extension cords outside with a cordless projector, like this 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 as the best overall, so that's an excellent place to start (or end) your research.
Choosing the right screen for your backyard theater
Throwing video onto the wall of your house or garage might work, but only if the wall is white and not textured. Any imperfection will throw distracting shadows. Stucco is a definite no-go. A hung-up bedsheet could work in a pinch, if it’s wrinkle-free and there’s no breeze to ripple your movie. But a better solution is a dedicated screen. Here are a couple suggestions:
The go-big option: This 16-foot diagonal inflatable screen is a hit among Amazon’s users, and it's absolutely huge.
A more modest pick: Lifehacker’s Daniel Oropeza swears by the 120-inch Manual Pull Down Projector Screen: “It’s cheap and it works great in Atlanta’s humidity,” he told me. (We talk about movie screens a lot.)
Choosing a media player for your outdoor theater
Most projectors designed for home use, even on the budget side, are smart devices that stream out-of-the-box, so you won't have to drag your Blu-ray player outside. But if your projector doesn't do that, plug in a USB-based streamer like a Roku Streaming Stick or an Amazon Fire TV Stick. Boom: problem solved.
Choosing a sound system for your outdoor movie theater
Many projectors feature onboard speakers, but these are often tinny and sad. Since sound is half of the experience of watching a movie, 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 music. But if you want to get more serious, something like this Sonance Patio Series 4.1 Speaker System can live in your yard permanently and provide background music all year, as well as full surround sound for movie night.
Outdoor movie theater extras that you might not have thought of
Extension cords: The amount of cords that will need to run into your backyard depends entirely on how your yard is wired and what gear you're using, but it can't hurt to stock up on a long extension cord or two so you won't be running to Staples on movie night.
Cord cover mat: Speaking of cords, consider a cord cover mat to make sure any wiring is covered so guests don't trip.
Wifi extender: Before movie night, check if your wifi actually reaches your backyard. If not, consider a wifi extender.
Blankets: Remember to keep a supply of blankets on hand in case things get chilly.
What movies should you show at your outdoor movie night?
The movie you choose is really the most important thing about your outdoor movie night. Conventional wisdom says to go for classics with good vibes: Back to the Future, The Goonies, Raiders of the Lost Ark. But it’s your movie night, so screen some Bergman if you want. For a ton of great movie ideas, check out Lifehacker cinephile Ross Johnson's list of the hottest movies ever for summer.
Ideas for making your home movie night extra special
There are lots of ways you can make your best-summer-ever movie night an occasion instead of just "watching movies outside." Here are a few ideas:
Themed night: Pick a lane and stick to it: 1980s flicks, superhero night, rom-com marathon—whatever suits your crowd.
Create a program: Take some inspiration from the way movie houses did it in the past and show some related trailers, drive-in movie interstitials, or even a newsreel before the main feature. You can find compilations of all of these on YouTube.
Trivia: Everyone likes a trivia contest. You can make your own group trivia contests at Kahoot that can be shown on your backyard screen, so make one related to the genre you're showing.
With just a few pieces of gear and a little planning, you can bring back the magic of the drive-in—without leaving your yard.
