What to buy for a movie dinner

A movie dinner needs more than a meal and a film. You need tableware for several courses, drinks that can be served without interrupting the screening, and the right equipment for both sound and pictures. Use the item list on this page as your checklist, then match food and drink quantities to your confirmed guest count. Check dietary requirements before buying ingredients, and test the projector, speakers and cables at least one day in advance.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60

Kitchen

Cooking potsqty 4
Baking dishesqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Cooking and serving spoonsqty 10
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Media player
HDMI cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 8
Light dimmersqty 2

Decorations

Movie postersqty 8
Table decorationsqty 6
Menusqty 55

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 10
Floor mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Vegetable broth - 8 liters
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Red bell pepper - 2 kilograms
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Basil - 8 bunches
- Oregano - 4 jars
- Thyme - 3 pots
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Vegetable lasagna - 10 kilograms
- Lasagne sheets - 2 kilogram
- Passata - 8 liters
- Tomato paste - 12 tubes
- Béchamel sauce - 6 liters
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Vegan shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Gluten-free lasagna sheets - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Corn - 8 cans
- Feta - 1,5 kilogram
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Brownies - 60
- Vegan brownies - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free brownies - 12 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Fresh fruit - 5 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 36 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Nut mix - 1,5 kilogram
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, soup bowl and dessert plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra if washing up during the event is not practical. Count coffee cups and glasses separately; they are easy to run short of after the meal.
Buy drinks for the whole programme, not just the dinner. As a working estimate, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one to two per person for each additional hour, then add water for the table.
Shop for ingredients only after the menu and film order are final. Set aside portions for every registered dietary requirement and prepare desserts, soup or sauce far enough ahead that the kitchen is clear when the film starts.
Do not leave technical supplies until the day itself. Check that the media player connects to the projector and speakers, and bring the required HDMI cables, extension cords and power strips; test the complete setup at least 24 hours beforehand.
Count serving equipment as well as cooking equipment. One large serving platter or serving bowl may not be enough for a shared dinner, so match the number of platters, tongs and serving spoons to the menu and the number of courses.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a movie dinner?: Calculate portions from the confirmed guest list and the final menu, including separate portions for dietary requirements. For a three-course dinner, prepare one portion per guest and add about 10% extra for unexpected guests or larger appetites.
How many drinks should I buy for a movie dinner?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one to two drinks per person for every following hour. Add water for the full meal and keep enough glasses available for wine, water and coffee without relying on constant washing up.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Plan one dinner plate, soup bowl and dessert plate per person, plus at least 10% spare. Count one water glass and one wine glass per guest, and provide coffee cups and spoons for the final course.
When should I test the movie dinner equipment?: Test the projector, screen, speakers, media player and all HDMI and power connections at least 24 hours before the event. Download the films and subtitles beforehand, then run a short playback test with the room lighting set as it will be during dinner.

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