When I was a kid, my parents would routinely lug our clunky television set out onto our backyard porch. They’d pop a videocassette into our VCR and microwave a batch of popcorn so my siblings and I could watch “Homeward Bound” or “Land Before Time” under the stars.
There’s something magical about outdoor movies — particularly on warm summer evenings when you don’t want to miss out on the weather by staying indoors. You can do like my folks did, and roll your TV outdoors for backyard movie night, or you kick things up a notch by creating your own outdoor movie theater.
A backyard big-screen projection system sounds fancy, but it can be simple and fairly affordable to set up. Ahead, find ideas for putting together an outdoor movie screen system in your backyard so you can host a magically memorable family movie night.
Step One: Find a Backyard Movie Projector
It wasn’t so long ago that home projectors were large, low quality and complicated to set up. Thanks to advancements in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, however, today, many outdoor projectors are cordless, portable and simple to use. Similarly, the resolution and brightness of most projectors have improved dramatically in recent years, and you can now purchase a projector for under $1,000 that trumps the fanciest projectors of the recent past. There are even projectors tpreloaded with streaming services, so you can seamlessly connect and play your favorite flick.
Need some suggestions? Read on for our recommendations for backyard movie projector models based on features like sound, streaming options and price.
Best Budget Backyard Movie Projector
NISOO Projector with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Compared to some of the other dirt-cheap projectors on the market, the NISOO projector offers superior brightness and a high resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It can project a screen of up to 32 x 178 inches from a projection distance of up to 16 feet while maintaining a crisp, highly watchable picture. The NISOO projector has a built-in stereo and is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. It pairs easily with phones, laptops, tablets, TV sticks and more. Its balance between quality and price makes this NISOO projector a worthy choice for backyard movie night newbies.
Price: $99.99 at Amazon.com
Sturdiest Backyard Movie Projector
BenQ GS50 1080p Wireless Outdoor Projector
If you’re willing to invest a bit more in your backyard theater, the 1080p BenQ GS50 is a sturdy projector designed to last. The projector is made for sustained outdoor use, boasting an IPX2 rating for water resistance and the ability to withstand a fall of up to 2.3 feet. The BenQ GS50 also delivers a 1920 x 1080-pixel native resolution and can project images of up to 112 inches. The projector comes with an Android TV dongle for easy streaming and Chromecasting.
Price: $749 (reg. $799) at Amazon.com
Best Portable Backyard Movie Projector
XGIMI MoGo Pro
The pint-size XGIMI MoGo Pro projector stands under 6 inches high but casts a large, 100-inch screen from a distance of 8.7 feet. With a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the projector casts an image that is bright and clear. The XGIMI Mogo Pro comes with a built-in Chromecast, so you can easily connect to streaming apps. We love the remote control, which comes with a Google Assistant button so you can control the projector with your voice. It’s a good one to consider if you hope to take family movie nights on the go — say, when going camping or visiting friends’ houses.
Price: $509.99 (reg. $599) at Amazon.com
Step Two: Find a Backyard Movie Screen
This step is optional. It’s totally possible to project your backyard movie onto a wall of your house or the door of your garage. A slightly better option is to hang a large bed sheet, ideally by attaching it to a wall and pulling it as taut as possible to minimize movement and wrinkles.
For the cleanest, brightest, most accurate image, however, it’s best to use an outdoor projector screen. Here are a couple of options we recommend based on features like durability, ease of setup and price:
Best Inflatable Backyard Movie Screen
OUTTOY Inflatable Movie Screen
We adore the OUTTOY inflatable backyard movie screen for its fast, easy setup — all you have to do is plug it in and stand back as it inflates in under two minutes. The screen is made of a sturdy, water-resistant oxford fabric that can withstand rougher weather conditions and can be folded into a compact storage bag and toted around. It comes in a choice of size options: 14, 16 or 20 feet.
Price: $109+ at Amazon.com
Best High-End Backyard Movie Screen
Elite Screens Yard Master Plus
A critically acclaimed, high-end indoor and outdoor screen, the Yard Master Plus offers exceptional picture quality thanks to its ISF-certified screen material and rigid frame that minimizes wrinkles. The screen is easy to assemble and comes with stakes and rope for extra security on windy nights. After your backyard movie, the frame can be disassembled and stored in a compact carrying bag. Similar to the last option, it comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 96-inch to 200-inch.
Price: $78.99+ at Amazon.com
Best Budget Backyard Movie Screen
Mdbebbron 120-inch Projection Screen
Not much more expensive than a king-size bedsheet, the Mdbebbron is a worthy budget backyard movie screen. It features a machine-washable polyester material and a sturdy frame that can be folded up and carried around in a backpack. Setup can be a little tricky — you can use the included plastic mounting hooks, ropes, nails or double-sided tape to attach it to a wall — but the ultra-affordable price makes the Mdbebbron screen well worth the extra assembly effort.
Price: $24.99 at Amazon.com
Step Three: Find a Backyard Movie Speaker
Step three is also an optional one. Many movie projectors come with a decent built-in speaker, but you might want to supplement this with an additional speaker if you’ve got a big backyard or live in a noisy area. Depending on your projector model, you can connect your extra speaker to your projector via Bluetooth or an analog audio output.
If you’re looking to purchase a new backyard speaker for your family movie night, here are our recommendations based on features like sound quality and weather resistance:
Best Portable Backyard Movie Speaker
JBL Flip 4
This Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and durable and delivers up to 12 hours of continuous play. For its portable size, it packs a powerful sound.
Price: $84.95+ at Amazon.com
Best Sounding Backyard Movie Speaker
Anker Soundcore Rave Neo
The Anker Soundcore Rave Neo speaker delivers crisp, clear, bass-forward audio from a waterproof frame. It’s larger than the JBL Flip but comes with a handle for easy portability. The Anker Soundcore speaker features colorful LED lights, but they can be deactivated to avoid distracting from your movie.
Price: $129 at Amazon.com
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