The Backyard Movie Theater for Summer 2023

The time has come in many parts of the country to start cleaning off the Weber and reassembling that outdoor movie screen. The backyard movie theater became a lot more popular during the pandemic with theaters shuttered across the continent and the demand for screens and projectors has never been higher.

Watching movies with your family and friends in a backyard movie theater is a great way to enjoy any evening but it is a lot more fun in the summer; my parents had fun at a Drive-in north of Toronto in July of 1969 and 9 months later — I was born 4 weeks pre-mature and humming the theme to Lawrence of Arabia.

I’ve always loved the Drive-in but with so few left, the backyard movie theater is the next best thing.

I set the record for the most movies watched alone in an empty movie complex during the pandemic at 60 and I’m happy to see that consumers are returning to theaters.

Tom Cruise gave the industry a necessary shot in the arm already with Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water has managed to exceed $2 billion globally.

Have fun with this but also remember that there are ways to improve the experience and make it something you do every single summer.

A Little History…

The great American love affair with the Drive-in movie theater celebrated its 89th anniversary on June 6, 2022. Although less than 321 still exist across the United States, the Drive-in survives on a smaller scale thanks to a growing number of enthusiasts who have taken the concept back to its place of origin: the driveway and backyard.

In 1932, about a year before he would open the first Drive-in movie theater in Pennsauken, New Jersey, chemical magnate Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. experimented in his driveway by beaming images from a 1928 Kodak projector mounted to the roof of his car onto a screen mounted between trees in his backyard.

Hollingshead Jr. was also the first to experiment with loudspeakers projecting sound from behind the screen, although the final concept would feature loudspeakers mounted to towers.

By the mid 1960s, more than 4,000 Drive-in theaters existed across the United States and Canada, but that number was doomed to steadily decline over the next 20 years for a number of reasons.

The land theaters occupied became increasingly valuable to developers, the adoption of daylight savings time robbed theater operators of one critical hour of projection time, and finally, color TVs and VHS made watching films at home more popular.

Drive-in theaters also struggled to compete with a growing number of multi-screen indoor cinemas, which weren’t affected by weather or limited to after-dusk showings. The once-popular family destination turned into the “passion pit,” and eventually a venue at which to watch exploitation or adult cinema (in select markets during non-family hours, of course). Later, Drive-ins would turn into subdivisions or flea markets, extinguishing the stragglers for good.

Not only is it possible, but it is also an amazing amount of fun if you follow some of our suggestions based on a lot of trial and error.

Let’s drive…er…dive in. 

Who are the People in Your Neighborhood…

Depending on where you live, the concept of a driveway or backyard home theater may be a non-starter due to noise restrictions, safety regulations, or because you live in an apartment, and it is unlikely that your landlord will permit a movie theater on the roof. Fair enough; who wants to be liable if a person or a piece of equipment goes flying? Really, as much as we think the idea of watching Star Wars 10 stories up under the stars sounds like a great plan, we also don’t think it’s worth the risk of someone getting hurt.

Bureaucracy aside, there are social norms to navigate. While those of us who live in suburbia like to think that what takes place within our property line is our business, the reality is that everyone has at least one neighbor who hates noise (at any hour) or the sound of adults and children having fun outdoors at night. 

As someone who lives on the edge of a college campus with the surrounding homes rented out to college students, I understand that concern very well. With a house filled with little children, I don’t appreciate it when they have loud, drunken parties (or worse) until 4 in the morning.

The smartest thing you can do is simply be a good neighbor and invite them. Even if they decline, it will let them know what you’re up to so you can avoid a visit from the local police, and if they show, you might even get some free beer or cake out of it.

The reality in 2023 is that people finally feel comfortable with public gatherings again and building a better relationship with your neighbors can’t be a bad thing.

The pandemic also created a historic exodus from New York City and Brooklyn and for some reason – thousands of them decided to move to my corner of the Jersey Shore where I now must contend with the sounds of construction from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. most nights.

My backyard home theater is the least annoying thing right now in my neighborhood.

When Netflix Studios at Fort Monmouth opens in 2025 less than 2 miles from my front door — backyard movie watching is going to become the big thing locally.

Are You Licensed to Thrill?

While it’s highly unlikely that an entertainment lawyer or someone from Interpol is going to drive by while you watch a movie in your driveway or backyard, the reality is that there are copyright laws that prohibit you from charging to watch a film on your property, or publicly advertising the showing. 

If you want to invite 20 of your closest friends over for a BBQ and to watch Andor, that’s your business, but don’t make it public knowledge with a flyer. Just because you paid for that UHD 4K disc or stream Disney+, doesn’t give you the legal right to become the AMC down the street.

Keep It Dark…

As much as we’d like to think it goes without saying, it’s important enough to reiterate: Watching movies outside is way more enjoyable when its dark. 

Projected images have better black levels and contrast when the projector is the sole source of light. A full moon is not going to completely ruin your party, but if your backyard or driveway is bathing in the yellow light (and buzz) of your neighborhood’s street lamp, it’s going to take away from the experience.

Waging war with the sun is an even worse proposition. Despite advances in projector and screen technology, it is a losing battle unless you can afford something like the Stewart Oasis outdoor screen with Grayhawk or Firehawk material, and a projector with an extraordinary amount of light output. 

Just know this is an extremely expensive endeavor and it takes away from the D.I.Y. aspect of the project that makes it fun to begin with. I managed to find an outdoor screen for $150 from Elite that produces an excellent image.

My backyard also faces towards the ocean (only a few blocks away) and Superstorm Sandy changed how much direct sunlight we get forever by removing 000s of huge trees and structures that created a lot of natural shade later in the day. 

Getting started

We already know a 10-story rooftop is not a good place for an outdoor home theater. So what are some good options? For one, consider your driveway. Unless the mason responsible for your driveway was completely incompetent, its surface should be level enough to set up a portable screen, loudspeakers, chairs, and projector without much hassle. 

The driveway is also appealing since there’s probably a power receptacle inside your garage which will make set-up that much easier. Plus, should the weather turn nasty without much notice, you’ll be in a good position to move everything inside, so you don’t have to watch your projector and audio equipment get destroyed (assuming your garage isn’t already packed, of course).

If the driveway isn’t an option, consider using the outside wall of your garage as a place to mount the screen. For that matter, any other flat surface on the outside of your home will do. If you’re short on flat surfaces and can take advantage of some well-placed trees, you may be able to hang a screen between them. Otherwise, an inflatable screen or portable screen will probably be necessary.

Another option that can work is your deck. Our deck is 25’ x 10’ and I was able to use the 10’ section with the most shade as the perfect location for my portable outdoor screen; it is a stable platform with a railing and it enables us to watch without anyone on the street being able to see it.

Aside from the location of the screen, the most important thing to consider when setting up an outdoor home theater is proximity to power. A heavy-duty extension cord (as long as 25 feet) and a power strip should be considered essential accessories. 

Aside from your projector, you will need to power your source (Blu-ray player or Roku Box) and audio amplification. When possible, choose an outlet that is on a relatively clear circuit – you don’t want a sudden power outage in the middle of an exciting flick.

Media streamers have become the primary source for most home theaters so a reliable wireless connection or powerline extender with an Ethernet cable is mandatory. If you have an empty power receptacle outside, plug in the extender and run the cable directly into the back of the Roku box.

Another option that might work well is plugging a Roku Streaming Stick into an open input on your projector if it doesn’t offer its own streaming app.

Permanent or Temporary Installation?

If you decide to go with a backyard location for your outdoor theater and you don’t mind assembling and disassembling the entire system every time you watch a film, using an extension cord and power strip is the best way to go for power needs.

On the other hand, if your backyard theater is going to be a routine destination, a more permanent setup might not be a bad idea. The following is especially ideal for those who want to run their outdoor rig off an existing indoor home-theater setup. 

Consider digging a trench from your home to the location where your projector is going to be installed. Line the trench with 4-inch PVC pipe and use enough of it to create a vertical base for a projector platform. 

Run both an extension cord and a single HDMI cable from inside your home through the pipe and have it exit through a hole in the platform. Make sure to fill it with putty to deter any unwanted guests who fancy a dry tunnel into your house. (Note: If you own a swimming pool, remember to route all cables as far away as possible.)

Finally, if you decide to set up your outdoor HT away from the house, don’t forget to install some form of lighting. We think torch-mounted citronella candles are a great idea because they can be firmly secured into the ground and keep you and your guests safe and bug-free at the same time.  

Go Big and Go Home

Your choice of screen is as important as your choice of projector. Fortunately, the cost of a weather-proof outdoor screen is considerably less than that of a similarly sized indoor screen. 

While we understand the temptation to just hang a large sheet on a wall or between two trees, the reality is that a weather-proof screen such as the Elite Yard Master 2 (starting at $163.99 for a 100-inch 16:9 screen with stand) or the FlexiWhite Bungee & Grommet projector screen from Carl’s Place (starting at $139 for a 120-inch 16:9 screen) makes a lot more sense.

Aside from the significant improvement in picture quality, both screens will last many years if you take care of them and are easy to install. The Yard Master comes in sizes up to 180 inches (diagonal) and attaches to a sturdy metal base that can be secured with provided cables and spikes to either the ground, a deck, or two trees. 

The less expensive screen from Carl’s Place is designed to be attached to a wall, or between two anchors like trees.

If money is no object, the electronically controlled and retractable Oasis from Stewart is our top pick. Since Stewart offers the Oasis with any of its screen materials, it is the best choice for those who insist on watching films during the day.

Inflatable screens have become popular lately, and if you don’t mind spending as much as $11,000 for a set-up that includes the screen, amplification, and loudspeakers, it may be an option to consider.

There are considerably less expensive options available from Target, Wal-Mart, and other vendors like Amazon.

A Projector for All Seasons?

Selecting an appropriate projector for use outdoors seems like a simple enough task, especially if you already own a LCD or DLP projector with a fairly high-lumen output rating, but do you really want to remove your existing projector from its mount and risk taking it outside?

Also, aside from the risk of physical damage, are you up for recalibrating the projector for the new venue and screen material? If you plan to make outdoor shows a routine, a separate projector makes sense.

And since we’re talking about picking up a new projector, let’s take a look at what makes a solid outdoor projector. First, while we’re proponents of the highest possible resolution for any type of home theater set-up (HDTV or projector), going for a 4K projector might not be necessary, especially if the costs is going to be prohibitive.

It’s better to prioritize brightness over resolution when a compromise is necessary. Panasonic, Epson, ViewSonic, XGIMI, and BenQ, all offer affordable 720p/1080p projectors with lumen ratings above 2,000.

Finally, before buying a projector, take into account its throw distance rating. This will affect where you can place your projector relative to your desired screen size. If you are at all constrained by where the projector can be placed, take that distance into account when making your projector and screen choices.

A sharp image, brightness, and good color accuracy are what you need to care about.

Ultra Short Throw Projectors?

Another new option that might make sense for a few reasons is an Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projector; easier to transport, placement close to the screen, and built-in loudspeakers and streaming app.

Ultra short throw projectors are the hottest thing in the world of immersive home entertainment. Before, if you wanted that encompassing big screen experience you needed a dedicated home theater in a darkened room. Now thanks to ultra short throw projectors (aka laser TVs) you can create the ultimate home theater in any room of your house — which also includes your back deck.

For more details, check out our list of the best 4K ultra short throw (UST) projectors currently available.

What is an Ultra Short Throw Projector Screen?

An ultra short throw projection screen is one that is specially built to pair with a laser TV. 

Because ultra short throw projectors typically have fixed focal lengths you need to move the projector further from the screen to make a larger image. This limits the size image they can project to around 130 inches. Nobody is going to sneeze at a 130-inch 16:9 ALR screen but that’s the current practical limit. However, one of the benefits of a UST projector is that we’re talking about a maximum distance of 12 inches to achieve that screen size.

Most of the UST screens available are between 100 – 120″ in size. 

Most UST screens also have a fixed frame but there are a few motorized ones as well.

These screens have features you won’t find on a regular cinema screen that allow them to pair perfectly with an ultra short throw projector.

Before you consider using a UST projector outside, be mindful of the fact that installation outdoors will require a proper stand that will allow you to place the projector at the proper height to match the positioning of the screen.

Stepping Beyond Drive-in Audio Quality

The final component of any driveway or backyard home theater is the sound; and you can have a lot of fun with this since there are so many options.  For an outdoor system, we tend to recommend a 2.0 system. It’s more cost effective, easier to set up and generally more practical, since it requires the least amount of wiring. Please remember to use cables that are safety approved for outdoor use in the case of wood decks, rain, and proximity to BBQs and swimming pools.

If you’ve ever considered installing outdoor speakers that will be powered by your existing A/V receiver or multi-room audio set-up, this is the time to opt for a full-range pair that you can use for your backyard movie theater.

The outdoor loudspeaker segment has become extremely popular, with models offered by Paradigm, B&W, Definitive Technology, Focal, Polk Audio and Klipsch (among many others) offering excellent sound quality and reliable protection from the elements.

All-weather loudspeakers from manufacturers such as JBL are also a good alternative in this scenario, if you’re looking for a resilient speaker that can project sound over a large area. If they can withstand the elements in outdoor facilities such as baseball stadiums and parks, they’ll do just fine in your backyard.

Active or powered loudspeakers make the most sense here. You’re not aiming for the best surround sound experience but a solid stereo one that will fill your space with sound that engages. A cheap passive soundbar might seem very appealing here but you’re also going to need an AVR to go with it.

Soundbar?

Using a soundbar might seem like the best way to bring the cinematic experience outside, but doing so will require placing all of your sources next to the soundbar and connected via HDMI or Optical cables to make it all work.

You will also need something level and wide enough to place the soundbar on so that everyone watching can enjoy the best possible audio experience.

We’ve seen soundbars mounted to outdoor fireplaces inside screened porches in Georgia and it certainly worked with the 50-inch HDTV installed above — but it wasn’t an inexpensive installation and the CI made sure to weatherproof both products.

Creating a backyard movie theater might seem like a lot of work, but it’s possible to create something that you and your family can enjoy for the long-term and when conditions are right — enjoy with friends and neighbors as well.

Related reading: Best Outdoor Movie Screens