Once you get out of the theater-going habit, you might find it's overrated anyway. There, you get overpriced snacks, dubiously clean floors, and if you’re late, you miss something. Watching movies at home is really where it’s at. In your own home, you can sprawl out in comfort, indulge in a tipple (or two), set up your own snacks — exactly to your tastes and your budget. And you don’t even have to get dressed! Plus, with some strategic tech tools for projection and sound, you can pretty well replicate the good parts of the movie theater experience without leaving the house. Here are 15 at-home movie night ideas you’ll want to try tonight.
Get your own projector at home for the cost of taking the fam to the theater a couple times. This affordable projector lets you transform a blank interior or exterior wall — or even a ceiling — into a huge projection screen. Just set it up on a table or floor and you’re off.
Get the movie theater popcorn experience at home with almost no effort — and substantial cost savings too. Toss your kernels into this affordable silicone contraption, cover, and pop it in the microwave. It collapses when not in use so requires little space to store between movie nights. Microwave popcorn still not cutting it for you? Level up with this countertop model for a real theater-going experience. (You’ll need to commit some space for this guy, so it’s ideal for viewing in finished basem*nts or dedicated media rooms.)
Oh yes, we’re still talking about popcorn — because movie night. Make it a popcorn buffet with flavors to suit everyone’s palate. This kit includes three different kernels (small batch, sourced rom a single farm) and five flavors of popcorn seasonings (with no added or artificial flavors, meaning they’re salt free, sugar free, and gluten free). Think sriracha, white cheddar, kettle corn, sour cream and onion, and cinnamon toast.
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If your kids are the only family members luxuriating in comfy onesies for movie night… you’re doing it wrong! Get the whole fam equally cozy (and Instagram ready) for movie night in matching onesies.
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Snack Board
If you’ve spent any time on Pinterest lately, you know that snack boards — sort of traditional cheese or charcuterie boards on steroids — are all the rage for living your best life at home. Take your movie night to the next level by creating the snack board of your dreams. Try home delivery of top-quality artisanal cheeses, and serve all your goodies on a large, elegant serving board for a stunning presentation.
Weather permitting, take your movie night under the stars. Set up this enormous 14-foot inflatable screen in less than two minutes using the included fan to turn your yard into an alfresco theater. (It’s also lightweight and portable, so you can set up a movie night wherever you are — and store it easily between flicks, too.)
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Why get out of bed to watch your movie when you could…. not get out of bed? Just get yourself a plush pillow to support your back, neck, and arms while you wield that remote control as the queen of your castle.
A movie just isn’t the same if the sound doesn’t reverberate for added drama. If you're indoors, set up a soundbar system to supercharge your TV. Or, get yourself a Bluetooth speaker (or two) for portable movie sound, indoors or out.
Just because you’re watching a movie at home with your honey doesn't mean it's not a date! So keep yourself both PJs-level comfortable as well as cute and presentable for your at-home movie date with an ultra-comfy loungewear set (that you can also sleep in after the movie…. and wear to a Zoom call in the morning).
RELATED: 19 Best Pajamas for Women
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Unlike in a movie theater, home movie viewing lets you spread out and seriously get your lounge on. Watch from the comfort of a bean bag chair that’s comfy and (dare we say it?) chic, too. Amazon also has a ton of great bean bag chairs if you're looking for something a little less pricey.
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Viewing Lounge
Better yet, if you have the space and budget, transform your seating concept into a full-on lounge. “When you set up a lounge for at-home movie nights, you’ve got an environment that’s way better than the theater experience, and totally customized, too,” explains Kate Mazzuca, an event designer and producer who’s set up many such viewing lounges through her Los Angeles-based firm Bespoke Boheme. She recommends investing in a throw bed in your choice of colors and patterns. Add in low, chic folding tables for everyone to place — and comfortably reach — their drinks and snacks. And voila! You’ve got a dream of a movie-viewing lounge right at home.
Whether you’re watching indoors or out, you’re going to want to snuggle up with a perfectly cozy blanket. This throw blanket was rated #1 by the Good Housekeeping Institute textile lab.
RELATED:9 Best Blankets for Your Home, According to Bedding Experts
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Whether you're watching inside or out, canned wine makes cleanup easy when the movie ends late. Plus, everyone gets to pick what type they prefer without wasting any leftovers in open bottles. And these cans come right to your door — because if you're not leaving the house for the movie, why go out for the booze?
RELATED:10+ Best Canned Wine Brands
This thin and powerful tablet doubles as a portable screening room — so it packs a solid punch for your investment, both in terms of your movie-night entertainment and your productivity, too. Using the same little tool, get your Zoom on by day, and your movie on by night.
Want to really level up? Invest in a teeny 360-degree virtual reality projector for a totally immersive movie experience — on the walls and ceiling! — no headset required. Use it to access and stream Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube 360, and Disney+ right from the menu screen. Or download Netflix or Amazon Prime flicks for later. (Use it for e-books, too, and make kids’ educational content really pop.)
Alesandra Dubin
Freelance Writer
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY, and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
