As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we’re trying to do as many activities outside as we can. Not to mention to keep the kids entertained while being at home. One of the fun things we miss with businesses being closed is going to the movies. There’s just something different about seeing a film on the big screen and munching on popcorn. The next best thing is hosting a movie night right in your own backyard complete with comfy seats, unlimited popcorn and no admission fee.
If you’ve never planned a backyard movie before, we’ve got you! We’ve put together a quick guide for how to set up your next family bonding time or date night. Make sure you have your jackets and toques nearby just in case it gets chilly – we know what it can be like on a summer night in Calgary. We are also giving away a backyard movie night kit to make this event even easier! Find the giveaway link at the end of this blog.
The essentials for a backyard movie night include a movie projector, a movie screen (or crisp white sheet) and lots of blankets, pillows and chairs to sit on. Don’t have a projector? Amazon has a great selection, or consider renting from Calgary’s Starlite Rentals. Make sure to test your tech ahead of time. Set up the movie before the sun goes down so you can see but don’t start the movie until it’s dark out, then it will feel just like a movie theatre.
The hardest part of movie night is deciding which movie you’re going to watch. There are hundreds of great films to choose from but we recommend keeping things close to home and choosing a movie that was filmed in Alberta. If none come to mind right away, here’s a few to get you started:
- Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
- Cool Runnings (1993)
- Inception (2010)
- Interstellar (2014)
- The Revenant (2015)
Don’t forget the snacks! We love popcorn as much as the next person but there are so many great movie snacks out there, we couldn’t pick just one. If you can, support local businesses when stocking up for your movie night treats. Here are some of our faves:
Genesis Land is celebrating National Drive-In Movie Day with our community partners by hosting the following Drive-In Movie events:
Genesis Place Event proceeds will support the Airdrie Food Bank and the Genesis Centre Event proceeds support the Fig Tree Foundation.
Click here to register for the Genesis Land Drive-In @ Genesis Place 7pm Show
Click here to register for the Genesis Land Drive-In @ Genesis Place 10pm Show
Click here to register for the Genesis Land Drive-In @ Genesis Centre 10pm Show
Enter to win your very own backyard movie night kit. We’re giving away a projector + tickets to one of our Drive-In movie events. Click here to enter.
