Fall is the perfect season for embracing family movie night - by snuggling up on the couch as the nights get cooler and the sun sets earlier. Deciding what to watch for Friday Family Movie Night can turn into an all-out brawl (or is that just us??) But don't worry, we can help!
Our family has developed some tried and true methods for making family movie night fun again! I'm happy to share these movie night ideas to insure you don't waste time deciding on what to watch, and can get right to the popcorn!
 Photo Credit: August de Richelieu from Pexels |
1. Popsicle Sticks
If your children like surprises (not for everyone, I understand) this is a fun method that leaves it totally up to chance so no feelings get hurt. Just write a movie name on each popsicle stick and place them facing down in a jar. Older kids can have fun practicing their writing on the popsicle sticks (I recommend using a fine tip sharpie). You can put as many options as you want in there, or just put the ones you know are a hit for everyone. On movie night, you can take turns being the one who picks the winning movie from the jar! Keep another empty jar nearby for placing the already watched movies, so you won't pick that one again next week!
Variations include having each member of the family pick one stick, then voting between the options, or keep narrowing them down by picking less and less.
This is a double-win because it also upcycles things lying around your house- like that cute little glass yogurt jar you saved because you *knew* there has to be a good purpose for it!
2. The 5-4-3-2-1 Method
This a great strategy to fairly get everyone involved to insure no one feels left out.
Determine the order you'll be picking. This order should stay consistent each week, so it may be easiest to go with oldest to youngest. The first person picks a list of 5 movies- (or whatever the number of people in your family is). Then the next person eliminates 1 movie from the list, no questions asked. Then the next person eliminates another movie from the list, and so on. The last person gets to pick from the final two options. Each week, you rotate who gets to pick first so everyone gets a chance to have the final pick!
It may take a couple weeks for everyone to get the hang of it to have their turn being the final pick, but once you do, it's a great way to get everyone involved and turn it into a fun game!
3. Movie Checklist
The tried and true good old fashioned checklist to the rescue. But this method alleviates future spats about remembering what movies you've already watched, whose pick was chosen when, and keeping track of seasonal movies that you have every intention of watching but then forgetting until the day after the holiday. Have everyone in your family pick two movies to put on the list, decorate it, hang it on the fridge, and your kids can see it and look forward to it all week!
4. Theme Nights
When we're really stuck on thinking of both a movie AND what to have for dinner... we turn it into a whole themed night! Find a movie that either has a prominent recipe or food related message, and incorporate that into your dinner (or dessert!) plans or just have some fun themed snacks to have while you watch!
Here are some ideas to get you stared:
- Abominable + Bao Buns
- Over the Moon + Mooncakes
- Lucca + Any Pasta!
- Home Alone + Pizza
- Alice in Wonderland + Tea Party
- Garfield Movie + Lasagna
- Coco + Tamales
- Lady and the Tramp + Spaghetti & meatballs
- Croods + Bananas
- Wonka + I think this one is obvious 😉
 Photo Credit: Gustavo Fring from Pexels |
Hope that these help you have bring some new excitement to family movie night!
