With the rise of the COVID-19 Pandemic came an increase in at-home movie nights. In fact, as of 2021, 71% of people say they’d rather watch a movie at home.
If you’re looking to host a movie night, you need to know what to do to prepare. Hosting a movie night doesn’t have to be stressful. Read our guide to learn how to plan the perfect movie night!
Select a Date
This first step might seem obvious, but it’s an important one. It’s easy to say, “Let’s hang out soon!” but it’s harder to make “soon” a set point in time.
Choose a date and time that will work well with your schedule as well as your friends’ schedules. Movie nights typically take place in the early evening, so consider offering dinner beforehand. If you plan to do so, make sure you start your movie night a bit earlier, so your friends aren’t out too late.
Invite Your Friends
You can be as simple or as creative as you want with this step. Either send a quick text or prepare elaborate movie tickets to invite your friends to your movie night!
When you invite your friends, it’s helpful to include answers to the questions they’ll probably ask, such as:
- When?
- What time?
- Where?
- Will there be food?
- Is it kid-friendly?
- What are we going to watch?
By answering these questions, you’re giving your friends all the information they need.
You should also send out your invitations at least a week in advance. This should give your friends time to decide, but don’t be discouraged if a couple of people say “no.” It’s likely not personal, and it provides a great opportunity to reach out to some new friends!
Pick the Perfect Film
With more than 700 movies released annually in North America alone, there are a lot of options for movies. Here are our tips for choosing the perfect movie.
Know Your Audience
Your movie choice plays a huge role in your movie night’s success. When compiling your guest list, take the time to think about what your friends enjoy. If you’re inviting new friends over, you may want to consider sending out a quick text to ask what they would like to watch!
Match the “Vibe”
If you’re planning to watch a scary movie, make sure your friends are prepared! Set the tone of your movie night in advance, so your guests know what to expect.
By setting a tone, you’re not only creating a fun movie atmosphere, but you’re also ensuring that all of your friends will feel comfortable!
Read the Movie Reviews
There’s nothing worse than picking a movie that looks good and having it turn out terrible. Read some online reviews to ensure the movie is a good fit for your party.
Websites like Does the Dog Die are a great way to learn about some of the movie’s content before you show a potentially traumatic scene with younger guests present.
Stream from a Reliable Source
In 2022, DVD and VHS aren’t as popular. You’re more likely to stream a movie from an online service.
If you’re hoping to find movies online, you want to ensure you choose one with good quality. A lag in the middle of an action scene would likely cause an unwanted interruption.
Rather than streaming a pirated YouTube movie, find a reputable source to watch movies online. A lot of online streaming services are less than $5 a month, which in our opinion, is worth it to ensure a good viewing experience!
Choose a Movie with Good Actors
If the lead actor is good, chances are the movie will be good too. Don’t be afraid to stick with what you know!
Use Google or IMBD to look through the movies your chosen actor/actress is in and choose from there.
Prepare Party Snacks and Drinks
While popcorn is an obvious movie night staple, there’s a wide variety of snacks to choose from! Make a shopping list and head to the store.
To spice up your popcorn a bit, consider a popcorn bar. Set out the popcorn, chocolate chips, different seasonings/flavors, nuts, and different kinds of candy. Let your inner child run wild with this one!
In addition to your popcorn bar, consider preparing nachos, chips and dip, brownies, trail mix, cookies, or your other favorite treats!
Again, one of our top tips for success is to consider what your friends like. If you know your friend is lactose intolerant, don’t only serve pizza and ice cream. Be considerate of your friends’ dietary restrictions when choosing snacks.
Choose Your Movie Night Games
Although the main entertainment at movie night will be the movie, having games ready can bring your hosting to the next level. As with every other tip we’ve offered, you’ll want to consider your audience. Think about what your guests will enjoy playing!
Movie-related games are always a fun choice. You can prepare movie trivia questions or a movie scavenger hunt to play while the film is showing.
When the movie ends, invite your friends to stick around. Have some board games or card games ready to extend your fun a little longer!
Have Fun Hosting a Movie Night!
With these tips in mind, you’re ready to host a movie night! Remember to have food and games prepared and send out invites plenty of time in advance. Your home will soon be the go-to hangout location!
Hosting a movie night is a great experience that everyone should have. Make the most of it and have fun! For more helpful guides and ideas, check out our blog!
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Travel, health, shopping, lifestyle and business are among the many subjects she writes about. Through quality and well-researched writing, she informs and even entertains readers about things that matter. She is also interested in film critiquing and filmmaking. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
