Tips and Ideas for a Disney Movie Night

One of my favorite family fun time activities is having an at-home themed movie night. It takes the idea of just watching a movie together to a whole other level. From selecting the perfect film to crafting themed snacks and activities, this guide will help you create a night filled with Disney magic and cherished memories. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of Disney and discover how to make your Disney movie night truly enchanting!

How to Plan a Disney Movie Night

Planning a Disney movie night is a magical way to bring the enchantment of Disney into your home. Whether you’re gathering the family for a cozy evening or inviting friends for a themed get-together, adding special touches can transform a simple movie viewing into an unforgettable experience.

Pick a Disney Movie

Think of a movie you have seen before or a new sequel to one you have seen before. The best part about a themed movie night is adding touches to the night that highlight parts of the movie. If you haven’t seen the movie before it will be harder to know what exactly to include in your evening. Scrolling Disney+ is a great place to get ideas.

Get the whole family involved in planning the night. Let the kids help with making decorations or choosing the food. This can make the experience more enjoyable and create anticipation.

Don’t forget music! Build anticipation with a playlist of songs from the movie or its soundtrack. Play it while preparing snacks or setting up decorations.

Design the Menu

This is where the fun begins. Your meal or snack can be based off the location of the movie. For instance, we did a Lilo & Stitch Movie night and had Hawaiian based dishes. Your meal could also have movie names for regular food. For example, we did a Star Wars movie night and had Chocolate Covered Pretzel Light Sabers, Princess Leila Honey Buns, and Jar Jar Links in a Blanket.

Don’t forget about the beverages! Create themed drinks or mocktails that match the movie. For example, for a Frozen movie night, you could serve “Elsa’s Ice Punch” (a blue slushie).

Dress for the Movie Night

Are you going to dress up? I think it adds a bit of fun, especially for the kids. My husband doesn’t always participate but I usually do. If you are watching Cinderella put on a pretty dress. For 80’s movies tease your hair and put on blue eye shadow. The possibilities are endless once you think about the details of your chosen movie. Encourage everyone to take photos in their themed costumes for a fun keepsake.

Set the Mood

Setting the mood and decorating for your Disney movie night is all about creating an immersive and magical atmosphere. The right decorations can transport you and your family straight into the world of your chosen film. Whether it is adding some tropical touches for Moana or a candlelit room for Beauty and the Beast, thoughtful decor can make all the difference.

Indoor Setup: Create a cozy movie-watching area with plenty of pillows and blankets. Consider using fairy lights for added ambiance.
Outdoor Setup: If the weather permits, set up a projector in your backyard. Lay down picnic blankets and outdoor cushions for a magical under-the-stars experience.
Pajama Party: Make it a pajama night for extra comfort. Disney-themed pajamas can add to the fun.
Blanket Forts: Build blanket forts to create a cozy, whimsical viewing space, especially fun for kids.

Plan Beyond the Movie Activities

The difference between sitting down with the family and watching a movie versus a family movie night is all about the activities before and after. Do more than just watch the movie. Make some memories your date or family will remember!

Craft Kits: Prepare craft kits that align with the movie’s theme. For Moana, you could make seashell necklaces. For Frozen, create paper snowflakes.
Bingo or Scavenger Hunt: Make a bingo card with common phrases, characters, or scenes to watch for in the movie. Alternatively, create a scavenger hunt with items related to the movie theme.
Themed Games: Play games that tie into the movie’s theme before or after watching. For a Toy Story night, you could play “Pin the Tail on Bullseye.”
Fun Facts: Share interesting trivia about the movie before or after watching. This can spark discussions and make the night more educational.
Behind-the-Scenes: Watch behind-the-scenes footage or making-of documentaries to learn more about the movie production.
Discuss the Movie as a Family. After the movie, have a discussion about it. This can be especially fun with kids, as they can share their favorite parts, what they learned, or how they felt about the movie.
Small Gifts: Hand out small, themed souvenirs at the end of the night. These could be stickers, small toys, or homemade crafts.

Invite Your Family, Date, or Friends

Make up some cute personalized invitations or a movie poster to advertise the date or family night. You could preview the menu, the activities, or let the whole night be a surprise.

If everyone enjoys the movie night, plan a series of movie nights around a theme or franchise, such as watching all the Disney princess movies or all the Marvel films.

What movie are you thinking of throwing a themed movie night for?