Whether you’re out on a date or you’re just treating the family to a special evening, “dinner and a movie” is a classic combination that rarely goes wrong. But if you’re tired of the same old staples, or if you have the itch to try something new, it’s important to find new strategies to spice things up.
What are the best ways to make your evenings even more entertaining?
How to Breathe New Life Into “Dinner and a Movie”
These are just some of the ways that you can breathe new life into your “dinner and a movie” ritual:
1. Cook and watch outside. With a full outdoor kitchen, an outdoor film projector, and a screen to showcase some of your favorites, you can create a magical evening for you, your partner, and anyone else you want to invite. Not everyone will be able to afford or accommodate a full outdoor kitchen that allows them to cook a full meal outside, but don’t worry – you can still enjoy an outdoor movie even if you cook inside and bring the meal out. In any case, this environment will give you the opportunity to breathe fresh air, see and experience the movie in a new light, and set the stage for a truly memorable experience. Just make sure you bring bug repellent and adequate lighting to avoid tripping and falling.
2. Look for interesting venues. You can enjoy dinner and a movie out or in, so keep an eye out for interesting venues or events in your area. There may be specific “dinner and a movie” nights posted by theaters in your area, or there may be a local drive-in that can give you a classic experience. Failing that, you can always keep an eye out for interesting new restaurants that you want to try – and upcoming movies that might pair well with them.
3. Choose unconventional themes. Combining food and film is more powerful when you have themes to tie these two different art forms together. You can elevate the experience by choosing less conventional themes. For example, you could watch John Carpenter’s horror classic The Thing, which takes place in Antarctica, and serve snow cones for dessert. Or you could serve foods and meals known to be favorites of actors, directors, and other people associated with the movies you’re about to watch.
4. Get international. Expand your horizons by exploring the cuisines of different cultures around the world – and dabbling into the films of different countries. For example, you could watch Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese masterpiece Seven Samurai while trying your hand at homemade sushi, or watch The Host after picking up some chicken bulgogi from a local Korean restaurant.
5. Build your own [anything]. You can give everyone more flexibility and more of an opportunity to engage by offering a bar that allows people to build their own dishes. For example, you can create a taco bar or set out ingredients that allow people to make their own sandwiches.
6. Make a game of it. You can elevate this event by introducing some kind of game. Depending on who you’re with, that could mean playing a board game before or during the movie, making a BINGO-style game to play while the film is screened, or something even more creative.
7. Attend a local festival. Have you ever been to a local film festival? They’re great opportunities to get in touch with your local community and see some movies you may never get the chance to see otherwise. Throw in dinner at a local restaurant and you’ll have a truly unique experience on your hands.
8. Experiment with new ingredients and techniques. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ingredients and techniques. Even if your resulting dish is a total failure, it will still be an experience to remember.
9. Take a vote. Get more people involved in the process! Does your spouse have an idea for the next movie night? Are your kids enthusiastic about a new food to try?
10. Bring some new people into the fold. You can also invite more people to your dinner and movie events if you’re hosting them at home. The more the merrier – as long as you have ample seating.
Getting Even More Creative
We’ve given you some creative ideas that hopefully spark your imagination and lead you to some breakthroughs in both culinary experimentation and film appreciation. But if you want to keep things fresh and keep expanding your horizons, it’s important to get even more creative.
Spend some time sharpening your skills, talking to other people, and opening your mind to new areas of personal development and enjoyment; you might be surprised at what you find.
