Is there something higher than a film evening? Whereas I really like a night out, the introverted, on-the-cusp-of-30 gal in me is at all times down for staying in. Transitioning from my daytime, work-from-home loungewear to my post-6 p.m. sweats is a dream by itself. And when I’ve zero plans past kicking again with a cat on my lap to browse the streaming app du jour, I’m satisfied I’ve discovered it: pure, unadulterated bliss. However there are occasions, in fact, after we need our night in to be somewhat extra intentional, which is the place inventive film evening concepts come into play.
Featured picture from our interview with Liana Levi by Teal Thomsen.
8 Movie Night Ideas to Elevate Any Night In
I have friends who are more than happy to cosplay as potatoes with me on the couch. But sometimes, the evening inspires me to take my hum-drum movie night up a notch. When the occasion calls for it, I’m happy to have a few go-to movie night ideas up my sleeve. From snacks to serve to invitations that are *extra* in the best way, this is how to plan a movie night you’ll remember long after the credits roll.
1. Identify a Theme in Advance
While not every gathering requires a theme, a movie night is the perfect opportunity to structure your evening around a specific idea, it opens the door for everyone to get a little creative. The easiest way to do this? Match your theme to your movie. Some ideas: decade theme, sports theme, music theme (Bohemian Rhapsody pairs perfectly with an epic Freddie Mercury jacket), horror theme—the list goes on!
From there, you can choose to let your theme guide the rest of your movie night ideas. Themed decor, invitations, food, and the film itself—if you’re new to hosting movie night, choosing a theme makes it easy.
2. Step Up Your Invitations
Sure, you could send a quick text a few hours before (movie night @ mine. bring snacks). But… you could also have a little fun with the invites. I love the idea of taking things truly old-school and going the paper route. Find a movie night ticket template on-line, customise it together with your particulars, and mail the tickets just a few weeks upfront to your friends. It’s a enjoyable, personalised means of letting your family and friends know that they’re in for a deal with.
If going to the put up workplace is somewhat too archaic to your pace, ship an invitation by way of e-mail. Websites like Paperless Post and Evite provide tons of reasonably priced choices so you may ship your invite quicker.
3. Go for a Crowd-Pleasing Movie
Sadly, all your different film evening concepts will fall flat should you don’t choose a movie everybody will love. After all, it’s onerous to land on a choose that appeals to all viewers. A few of us obsess over rom-coms (me) whereas others love a very good motion flick. And if kiddos are in attendance, you need to make sure the film is family-friendly. Fortunately, with the entire choices out there at the moment, there are just a few tried-and-true picks that ship for everybody, each time.
- Paddington 2. That’s proper, this seemingly juvenile movie has been dubbed “the perfect movie” by respected sources. And this author? 100% in settlement. It’s heartwarming, aesthetically pleasing, and stuffed with beyond-charming British accents. What’s to not love?
- The Parent Trap. Iconic Meredith Blake outfits, traces we’ve been reciting since childhood, and naturally, an early Nancy Meyers favourite. If there are children within the viewers they usually haven’t but been initiated to this campy basic, now’s the time.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wes Anderson is a straightforward choose for film evening. With just a few of his movies’ common suspects (Invoice Murray, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman) starring—alongside George Clooney and Meryl Streep—it’s onerous to not fall for the youngsters’s basic delivered to life. Alternatively, in case your film evening is kid-free, go for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Something Edward Norton is a film night-must.
- Princess Bride. A real epic. With iconic traces just like the Inigo Montoya monologue, everybody shall be reciting alongside. It’s unique, unabashed, and goes all in on itself. Additionally: a late-80s Robin Wright! She alone makes the movie.
4. Pair With an Easy Meal
With all this planning going into your movie night ideas, it’s unlikely that you’ll have lots of time for a multi-course meal. And when the film is the main attraction, you shouldn’t have to sweat it! The key here is opting for dishes that support hands-on snacking. Pizza, cheese boards, and a snack bar filled with treats galore. If you’re going to use utensils, then for a cozy movie night, chili is your answer.
Ahead, I’m sharing my go-to Camille Styles favorites for a movie night in. With carbs galore and a solid mix of sweet and savory, you can rest assured: your bases are covered.
Bacon, Apple, and Sweet Potato Pizza with Crispy Sage
Whereas I’d wager that any and all pizzas are honest sport for film evening, this needs to be my favourite. The trifecta of bacon, apples, and candy potatoes creates a mix of candy taste and crispy textures that sit completely atop a skinny crust. Whereas this dough solely serves two, it’s simple to multiply and make many for a crowd. Alternatively, you should purchase a pre-made dough and prime as you please. And for much more ease, takeout pizza is ideal.
The Ultimate Fall Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are the last word film evening snack. They’re a straightforward and aesthetically pleasing technique to welcome the entire season’s flavors into your house. You’re welcome to combine and match elements as you please, however take into accout a constant coloration palette, just a few good cheeses, and hearty meats to make sure everybody’s happy.
Pita & Kebab Board
Whereas I’ve liked the pattern of consuming every little thing in bowls, I’ll additionally fortunately get pleasure from all of my meals from a board. Living proof: this flavor-packed pita and kebab board that couldn’t be simpler to assemble. The vast majority of elements will be store-bought, so all that’s left so that you can do is assemble to your coronary heart’s content material.
Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
I repeat: loaded. candy. potato. fries. I reside life by the rule that once I could make a very good factor all the higher, I’ll. Candy potato fries are scrumptious on their very own, however when toppings of your selecting get added to the combination, they develop into downright addicting. There are countless methods you may customise your bowl, however I like switching between Mediterranean-inspired (chickpeas, salty feta, tzatziki, and kalamata olives) and Mexican (guacamole, pico, black beans, bitter cream, cilantro, iceberg lettuce, and cotija). There’s no means you may go flawed.
Bhutta Street Corn Guacamole
You thought your guacamole recipe was good—belief: this one is healthier. The Indian-inspired appetizer takes the basic base of avocados, cilantro, crimson onion, and lime up a notch with jalapeño, charred corn, chaat masala, and a kick of crimson chili powder. You’ve been warned: you’re internet hosting each film evening after you make this. Merely pop a bag of chips and also you’re good to go.
Cookie and Candy Board
For once you’re watching Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit and need to give your film evening all of the Willy Wonka vibes. After all, cookies and sweet doesn’t a well-balanced meal make. However should you’re at a loss for what to serve for dessert in the course of the movie, it may be so simple as arranging all the great things on a board. Take issues up a notch and make your individual cookies (may I suggest these?). Though, within the spirit of ease and embracing somewhat laziness, a visit to Dealer Joe’s will work simply positive.
Vegetarian Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Alongside bowls of butter-laced popcorn, chili is the proper film evening companion. It’s hearty, warming, and within the case of this recipe, appropriate for all dietary wants. With a mix of equally good-for-you and scrumptious elements (hello—candy potatoes, black beans, peppers, and extra) it’ll shortly develop into a film evening fave. Scratch that, a year-round, top-tier meal.
5. Mimic the Film Theater
In relation to film evening concepts, the extra the merrier—and you’ll guess we’re going all in. When you’ve got the house, I like the concept of arranging cozy seats in rows, giving viewers members the complete cinema expertise. Remember to flip the lights down low, pull the curtains, and possibly even spend money on encompass sound should you really feel so inclined. Keep in mind: this isn’t your common *scrolls Netflix eternally* night on the sofa. It’s film evening! So honor it as such.
6. Take the Movie Outdoors
When you reside in a heat space or are internet hosting your film evening in the course of the summer season, it may be enjoyable to take the festivities outdoors. A yard film evening could make for a magical expertise. Put money into a projector, strew blankets, cushions, and pillows alongside the grass, and pack a picnic of movie-perfect meals. To take the decor a step additional, I really like the concept of illuminating the house with a set of string lights and lanterns. It’s the proper means so as to add somewhat romance and shock and delight to your film evening vibes.
7. Provide an Intermission
To ship the theater expertise residence, an intermission is essential. Notably should you’re watching an extended film (I’m speaking Oppenheimer size) or should you’re internet hosting a film evening with youngsters, a chance to make use of the toilet, fill your cup, or seize a snack shall be a lot appreciated.
8. Make It Cozy
Final however not least, you’ll need to maintain issues cozy all evening lengthy. That goes for every little thing from the lounge setup to the meals you serve to the film you watch. (Some individuals take into account horror films cozy, I’m not one among them.) For all your film evening concepts, maintain this theme of coziness in thoughts as you propose your night. With each gathering, even one so simple as a film evening, it’s essential to do not forget that you’re inviting individuals into your house to be heard, liked, and cherished. In my e book, coziness achieves all of that and extra.
