We Tested the Best Outdoor Movie Screens

We’ve been using this screen for nine months, and it’s officially our favorite addition to the backyard. It’s large enough that you can have a group of people watching it at the same time, which makes it perfect for hosting movie nights. We’d recommend it specifically for families that like to have neighborhood movie nights, since the screen is so large that multiple families can enjoy the view.

The picture is very bright, and the experience is the same from multiple viewpoints, which means every angle is the best spot in the house. The screen comes with ground stakes that help keep it in place. Even when there’s a bit of a breeze, the screen remains stable.

The instructions are very clear on how to assemble and disassemble, and it’s easy to move around with just two people. We’re able to place the screen anywhere in the yard and move it back and forward to accommodate the placement of our projector. You can adjust the height, too, but you need to remove the screws in the back first.

Although setup is easy, it does take some time (about 10 to 15 minutes) to put together the frame and attach the movie screen, so we wouldn’t recommend it to someone who’s looking for daily use. We disassembled it after every use to keep it in good shape, and even though the screen is very large, it folds up nicely into a storage bag. 

Screen Sizes: 96, 100, 110, 120, 135, 145, 150, 180, 200 in. | Dimensions: 110.4 x 64.7 in. | Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | Accessories: Carrying case | Gain: 1.3

After three months of testing this movie screen, we can officially say it is really nice for how inexpensive it is. While some other fabric screens are somewhat transparent and show wrinkles, this one has a great image quality. The picture is bright and rich, and the colors of landscapes and animals are vibrant without being oversaturated. 

Best of all, we couldn’t see any of the ridges from our shed door through the screen—it really functions like a clean white slate, which is very impressive since it’s not a rigid screen. (Our shed door has a grid pattern, so the picture is often compromised when we project onto it without the screen.)

The screen is also easy to assemble. It comes in a pouch with Command Hook-like adhesives, plus string and simple instructions for how to set it up. We opted for the Command Hooks, which we affixed to our shed door. 

Attaching those was what took the longest time for the initial setup; now assembly and disassembly can both be completed in under five minutes. It stays nicely in place too; although it sometimes gets a little breezy, there’s minimal disruption aside from a little rippling, which isn’t very noticeable or distracting. That said, the best seat in the house is definitely dead center. Sitting off to the side makes the picture look darker than it does head on, so it may not be best for big groups. 

Screen Sizes: 120 in. | Dimensions: 104 x 58 in. | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Accessories: None | Gain: Not listed

At 180 by 120 inches, this is the largest option on our list—so large, in fact, that we think it’d be great for neighborhood movies in the park. Even if you just have a large backyard, this screen should be your go-to if you’re looking for that movie-theater-like experience.

After nine months, it still works just as well as it did when we first got it. The structure is sturdy enough to hold the screen taut, so there are no issues with wrinkles, and even over time, the frame hasn’t lost air or had any issues with staying inflated.

It was pretty easy to set up, too—anyone who’s used a kids’ bounce house is ready to set up one of these. All you have to do is plug in the fan, tie the frame to the fan, and then Velcro the actual screen to the frame. To take it down, turn off the fan and open a zipper to get all the air out quickly. 

It also comes with stakes for securing it to the ground, but it’s never windy enough that we need them—the windiest day was only around 5 mph, and it didn’t have any effect on the stability. The size makes it pretty stable on its own.

Getting this folded up and stored is probably the hardest thing about it—because it’s so large, it does take some time, so it’s something we pull out for special movie nights when we can get several kids or neighbors over to watch. It’s not something we use on a daily basis. 

The biggest issue we found was, again, due to its large size—we have to put it on the ground to fold it, and that causes an issue with grass clippings accumulating. That said, they’re easily shaken off, and the screen still looks nice and white.

Screen Sizes: 192, 228 in. | Dimensions: 180 x 120 in. | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Accessories: Carrying case | Gain: Not listed

Pull-down movie screens are as convenient as can be—you can mount them on a wall or hang them from the ceiling, and this one from Elite Screens is no exception. It’s simple to set up, only takes a few screws to secure, and pulling it down is smooth and hassle-free.

We left it hanging outside under an awning for three months, and it held up impressively well. There was no damage, no fading, and just a few cobwebs at the corners, which were easy to brush off. It looked and worked just as well at the end of testing as it did on day one, which gave us confidence that it will hold up well even after more summertime use.

The screen comes in five sizes and four aspect ratios, so you can find the right fit for your space. The picture quality is sharp and bright from every angle, and it works with any projector. The height adjusts easily thanks to a built-in auto-lock feature, and when you’re done, it rolls up neatly into its steel case, without any wrinkles or bulkiness.

Screen Sizes: 80, 100, 120, 125, 135 in. | Dimensions: 109 x 76 in. | Aspect Ratio: 16:10, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | Accessories: Carrying case | Gain: 1.1

Nobody wants the headache of a complicated setup while trying to enjoy a movie, and this screen from Elite Screens made our lives a whole lot easier during testing. It took just five minutes to put together, and no tools were required. While it’s a little awkward for one person to handle solo, it’s totally doable, and once it’s up, it stays put and looks great.

Everything you need comes in the bag: stakes, a rigging cord for stability, and a carrying case. The snap-button frame clicks together quickly, and the lightweight pieces make setup feel more like a quick task than a project. The screen gives you a bright, clear picture quality, and it’s available in plenty of sizes and a few aspect ratios.

The only thing we’d change? A connecting bar between the legs for added support (it was a little unstable). Also, you might see a few wrinkles at first, but they smooth out over time.

Screen Sizes: 58, 75, 90, 100, 110, 120, 135 in. | Dimensions: 110 x 89 in. | Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 4:3 | Accessories: Carrying bag | Gain: 1.3