What to Buy for a Movie Night

Use this movie night shopping list to buy the food, drinks and serving supplies your screening needs. Plan quantities from the number of confirmed guests, not from the room’s maximum capacity. Drinks, snacks, coffee and tea are easy to underestimate, while cups, bowls and serving utensils are often forgotten until guests arrive. Check dietary requirements before shopping and chill drinks several hours before the doors open.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 50
Tablesqty 6
Buffet tableqty 2

Equipment

Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
HDMI cableqty 2
Laptop
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Pouring jugsqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving traysqty 6
Pliersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 2

Decorations

Movie postersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 6
Film clapperboard
Directional signsqty 4

Comfort

Fleece blanketsqty 20
Cushionsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Popcorn kernels - 3 kilograms
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Popcorn salt - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Nacho cheese sauce - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Wine gums - 3 bags
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Mini rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Vegan spread - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 5 kilogram
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and keep extra chilled drinks ready for late arrivals.
Allow about 100–150 grams of snacks per guest for a film lasting two hours. Split snacks between bowls and place them where people can reach them without blocking the screen or projector.
Buy or bring about one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each item so a dropped or misplaced item does not interrupt the screening.
For coffee and tea, plan one hot drink per guest after the film, with extra supplies for around 10% of the audience. Fill thermos flasks shortly before the screening so the drinks stay hot without running the coffee maker during the film.
Check the technical and comfort items at least one day beforehand: projector, screen, speakers, mixer, HDMI cable, laptop, power strips and extension cords. Put fleece blankets near the entrance and test the complete audio and video setup before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a movie night?: For a two-hour movie, plan 100–150 grams of snacks per guest. For 30 guests, that is approximately 3–4.5 kilograms in total, divided across several snack types.
How many drinks should I buy for a movie night?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour. For a two-hour screening with 30 guests, prepare about 90–120 drinks, including water.
How many cups and plates do I need for movie night?: Prepare one cup, plate and cutlery set per confirmed guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, bring 55 of each to cover replacements and late additions.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a movie night?: Buy shelf-stable drinks and snacks one to two days before the screening. Chill the drinks at least four hours beforehand, then set out only what guests need for the first part of the evening.

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