Someday, when I have a backyard of my own, I plan to host the best movie nights ever. For now, I get to enjoy my brother’s great backyard setup. We teamed up with IZZE to create a colorful backyard movie night guide that’s perfect for summer gatherings with friends. This post includes ideas for individual snack kits, a build-your-own popcorn bar, DIY koozies and a printable movie poster to help you plan an unforgettable evening.
Make a Summer Movie Playlist
Start by choosing the films. A summer movie playlist gives your event a theme and makes it easy for guests to vote on what to watch. We created a printable “Summer Movie Musts” poster so you can pick a title for the night or work through the list over the season. It’s a simple way to add a playful, nostalgic touch to your gathering.
To print the Summer Movie Musts list, click here!
The poster can be printed up to 18″ x 24″. We recommend printing it as a colored engineer print at a local office supply store for an affordable large-format option.
Blow Up the Seating
You can ask guests to bring blankets and pillows for a cozy feel, but adding inflatable chairs and pool floats creates a fun, nostalgic vibe. Repurpose colorful floats and mix them with blankets and cushions so everyone can relax comfortably while watching the movie.
Seating sources include fun inflatables, striped blankets and pom-pom throws to mix textures and colors.
Put Those Drinks on Ice
Keep drinks cold and accessible by filling a cooler for guests. We chose IZZE Sparkling Clementine and Sparkling Grapefruit for their bright, summery flavors. Personalize a cooler with stickers or labels so it becomes part of your event decor and doesn’t get lost among other items.
IZZE is widely available; check local retailers or online sources to stock up for your event.
Put Together a Popcorn Bar
No movie night is complete without popcorn. Set up a popcorn bar with a large container of popcorn and a variety of mix-ins: candies, sprinkles, flavored salts, and other toppings. Let guests customize their bowls, and consider labeling the toppings for an organized, attractive display. Adding vinyl letters or colorful containers makes the bar feel festive and intentional.
Popcorn bar items can be sourced from kitchen and party supply stores—use vibrant bowls and clear containers to show off the options.
Make Individual Movie Kits
Give each guest a personal snack kit for a nostalgic cinema feel. Use small trays or boxes and include a container of popcorn, a few movie-friendly candies, an IZZE with a DIY koozie, and a mini version of the movie poster. Reduce the poster to about 25% size to add a personal keepsake element to each kit.
Small acrylic trays, popcorn bags and printed cards make assembling kits easy and stylish.
Make Some BFF Koozies
Create personalized koozies as a fun DIY project and party favor. We designed two printable templates—one that says “Best Friends” and another that says “Gal Pals.” Print the templates, cut out the shapes, trace them onto iron-on vinyl (backwards), and apply them to solid-color koozies following the vinyl manufacturer’s instructions.
Click here to download the BFF koozie templates!
Print the templates on regular paper, cut out the heart halves and letters, transfer them to the non-shiny side of iron-on vinyl and then adhere them to plain koozies for a cute personalized touch.
Put It Together and Enjoy
Hang a large white sheet or use a solid wall as your screen and set up a projector. Arrange seating so no one blocks the view. Invite guests to arrive before dusk to mingle, prep snacks, and vote on the movie. Once the sun sets and the screen lights up, settle in with cozy blankets, cold drinks, and custom popcorn for a relaxed, memorable evening.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Poster + Koozie Designs by Katy Jones
If you’ve ever received your own snack kit at a movie night, you know how special it feels. Have you hosted a backyard movie night before? What’s your go-to summer movie? Share ideas and make this season’s outdoor screenings the best yet.
This post was created in partnership with IZZE. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep the Studio DIY party going.