What to buy for a family movie night
A family movie night needs more than films and popcorn. Plan food and drinks for the full viewing time, then check that every guest has a cup, bowl and comfortable place to sit. The equipment list is just as easy to overlook: test the projector, speakers, HDMI cable and power connections before guests arrive. This shopping list helps you cover the practical items, including warm drinks, chilled drinks, snacks, serving dishes and extra comfort for children and adults.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 6
- Chairsqty 32
- Lounge cushionsqty 20
- Blanketsqty 12
- Coat rack
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 40
- Reusable bowlsqty 40
- Reusable cupsqty 50
- Coffee cupsqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 40
- Serving bowlsqty 8
- Serving plattersqty 6
Equipment
- Projector
- Movie screen
- Speakersqty 2
- HDMI cableqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
- Laptop
- Power banksqty 2
Kitchen
- Popcorn machine
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coffee maker
- Thermos flasksqty 3
- Coolersqty 3
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Kitchen knivesqty 3
- Pliersqty 4
Decorations
- Film clapperboard
- Movie postersqty 6
- Buntingqty 4
- Tableclothsqty 6
- Name badgesqty 35
Lighting
- String lightsqty 4
- LED lampsqty 6
- Flashlightsqty 3
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 4
- Washing-up tubsqty 2
- Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilograms
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Popcorn salt - 1 tin
- Butter - 500 grams
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Mini pretzels - 3 bags
- Wine gums - 2 kilograms
- Chocolate bars - 30 pieces
- Drop - 1 kilogram
- Marshmallows - 1 kilogram
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Guacamole - 3 tubs
- Salsa sauce - 3 jars
- Pizza bases - 12 pieces
- Tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Mozzarella - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Olives - 3 jars
- Gluten-free pizza bases - 3 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 3 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 4 packs
Tips
- Allow about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Buy a mix of chilled drinks and hot-drink supplies, and chill the cold drinks at least 4 hours before the event.
- Plan roughly 3–4 cups of popcorn or other snacks per person for a two-hour film. Keep shelf-stable snacks sealed until setup, and prepare serving bowls and platters before guests arrive.
- Provide one reusable cup, bowl, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item so a dropped or dirty piece does not interrupt the evening.
- Check the projector, movie screen, laptop, speakers and HDMI cable 24 hours beforehand. Use extension cords and power strips only after confirming that the viewing area has safe cable routes and enough outlets.
- Count seating before shopping: provide one chair or lounge cushion per guest and keep blankets available for the colder parts of the evening. Set up the coat rack and seating at least 30 minutes before the first arrival.
Frequently asked questions
- What food do I need for a family movie night?
- For a two-hour film, allow around 3–4 cups of snacks per person, including popcorn and other easy-to-serve items. Add one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra.
- How many drinks should I buy for family movie night?
- Plan for 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour and 1 more per person for every additional hour. Chill cold drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive, while coffee and tea supplies can be prepared during setup.
- What equipment is needed for an indoor movie night?
- You need a projector, movie screen, laptop, speakers and an HDMI cable, along with extension cords and power strips where required. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours in advance so you can replace or borrow missing equipment.
- How much seating do I need for a family movie night?
- Prepare one chair or lounge cushion per guest, with blankets for anyone who may get cold. Finish arranging the seating at least 30 minutes before the start time, leaving clear access to the drinks and snack tables.
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