Like good food, good films feel a little different when watched outdoors. Here are our favourite films to watch en plein air
Family movie nights
There are so many great films you can watch with a gang of kids but you can’t go wrong with Jurassic Park or The Goonies for an adventure-filled feelgood film.
Girls back garden film
Thelma and Louise is, of course, the classic female-centred flick. But if you need a film to put the world (and men) to rights, John Tucker Must Die is a great bond-over-it watch for your back garden cinema with the gals.
Films for thrill-seekers
If you want to really scare the wits out of everyone in attendance, The Blair Witch Project will do it. Especially if you have trees nearby to rustle ominously in the wind. Good for drive-thru horror fans is Stephen King’s Christine, the tale of a haunted car.
Retro movies for outdoor screens
The Sandlot is a heartwarming baseball film that has all the summer feelgood mood you could hope for. Want to go a bit more upmarket? Try The Graduate for that classic end-of-summer coming-of-age feel - with a cracking soundtrack.
Best drive-thru screenings
To really make the most of the atmosphere, if you’re heading to a drive-thru event, you want a film with a classic drive-thru scene. We recommend Grease or One Crazy Summer.
Outdoor big screen ideas
If you’re choosing which big outdoor screening event you’re going to watch our advice is to pick a film that really goes big or goes home visually. The Greatest Showman and E.T. would both be excellent choices.
Outdoor couples film nights
Snuggling up under a blanket with a loved one and a shared bag of popcorn? Up the romance stakes with Roman Holiday Or Baz Lurman’s Romeo + Juliet.
Movies to watch while camping
American Graffiti says ‘summer’ like almost no other film, set in one night just before a group of high-schoolers make their first moves into adulthood. If you’re arguing over the firelighters and tent pegs, The Great Outdoors will have you all chortling along at camping mishaps.
To watch on the beach
Well, obviously it’s Jaws isn’t it? Dare you to go for a midnight wild swim after watching. For a less fishy thriller, but with lots of beautiful sea scenery, try The Beach, based on the novel by Alex Garland.
Classic back garden cinema
For hot summer nights, Rear Window with its simmering heat will have you on the edge of your deck chair. Or pick a classic crowd pleaser such as The Wizard of Oz for sing-along fun that everyone can join in with.
Holding a back garden cinema night? You won’t want to miss our feature ‘Setting the Scene’ with photography and recipes by Catherine Frawley in our August issue. It features a menu of Greek dishes to serve along with your movie.
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