How to host a Movie Night Party
Ah yes, the movie night, that classic of cheap-and-easy parties.
Unless you've got a large room with lots of seating your probably going to be limited in how many people you'll be able to accommodate, so don't figure on inviting everyone you know.
What you'll need
- A movie or two (see below).
- Popcorn, of course. If you have just a few people then the
microwave popcorn bags are fine.
For larger numbers I use a company in Scotland who'll deliver an enormous (and I mean huge) bag of popcorn for about £25, complete with the little cardboard cups (see the suppliers page). - Drinks, other snacks.
- Something to show the movie on, obviously a projector is best but it just depends what you've got. Projectors are getting more reasonably priced now, here's one for under £300.
- A way to make the room dark, helps with the atmosphere, especially in summer when it's going to be light outside.
- Plenty of seating, sofas, bean-bags, whatever you've got.
- A couple of classic movie posters to pop up in the hallway can set the scene as people come in.
- Invitations. If you want to look really classy get some printed professionally.
- Props, there are endless scene-setters you can get to really set the mood of the party, from table-cloths and decorations to dress-up and costumes. PartyBox has an excellent range.
Movies
The choice of movie(s) is what's going to make or break your party. It's going to come down to knowing your friends.
You can go for a sure-fire classic that they've probably all seen; something really new or somewhere in-between.
Here are few suggestions for different 'themed' movie nights (this is a work in progress, I'm currently soliciting suggestions, email me at tips (at) how-to-host-a-party.com with your ideas for the perfect party movie.
| Lads night/strong> | Ladies Night | Mixed Company | Family |
| Die Hard | Sex-and-the-city. | Ocean's 11 | Stardust |
| Midnight Run | Titanic | When Harry met Sally | The Princess Bride |
| Terminator Series | Manon Des Sources | Annie Hall | Indiana Jones (1..3) |
| Starship Troopers | Love Actually | Some Like it Hot | The Mummy |
| The Italian Job (original) | Pretty Woman | Four Weddings & a Funeral | Romancing the stone |
| The Godfather | Sweet Home Alabama | Dead Poets Society | |
| The Great Escape | Brief Encounter | ||
| Pride and Prejudice | |||
| Serendipity |