Summer is the perfect time for spending time with
friends and family outdoors. And one of the underrated pleasures on a summer
night is watching a movie outdoors under the stars.
Not just any movie will do – Some films just seem
to work better watched while outside. Here are ten movies that are perfect for
watching outside.
1. Jaws
There’s something about the idea of a giant
animal preying on humans that takes us back on some level to the days when
humans weren’t at the top of the food chain. This Steven Spielberg classic
about a massive great white shark terrorizing an oceanside town is a great pick
for an outdoor screening.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Any of the
Indiana Jones movies would fit here – A swashbuckling, wisecracking hero,
exotic locations, thrilling action sequences and evil villains trying to take
over the world. Raider of the Lost Ark was the first (and arguably best) movie
in the franchise, and watching it outside is a great pick for heightening the
intensity.
3. The Blair Witch Project
If you’re
a brave group, watching the Blair Witch Project outdoors is a thrill. The
‘found footage’ horror movie set in the woods of rural New England haunted by
the legend of a witch is a harrowing movie to begin with. But put yourselves
outside while watching it, especially if you’re surrounded by trees, and you’ll
amplify the fear and creepiness factor.
4. Star Wars
Watching a
movie outdoors has a way of heightening the magic of special effects and
fantastical settings, so it should come as no surprise that Star Wars is a
great choice for outside viewing. The iconic story of a young farmboy rising up
to challenge one of the greatest villains of all time
in a galaxy far, far away plays even better outside under the stars.
5. The Thing
Another suspenseful movie not for the timid is
The Thing. The story of a remote Antarctic research station plagued by a bizarre
visitor of unknown origin is packed with suspense and scares, and tells a tale
of building suspicion and heightening fear. Watch it outdoors at night to
enhance that suspense – but don’t be surprised if you startle at any noises
coming from your surroundings afterward.
6. Predator
Yet another movie centered on a horrifying
creature, Predator is a classic action/suspense movie that’s perfect for
watching outdoors. The story of an elite team of soldiers being stalked by an
extraterrestrial trophy hunter will keep you on the edge of your seat. And if
you’re more interested in movies produced recently, a new Predator movie is in the works, so
before too long you could sub the new one in for the original.
7. Jurassic Park
One of the special effects classics of the 1990s,
the original Jurassic Park is a wonderful choice for outdoor viewing. The
wonderment turned to fear coming from encounters with the enormous creatures
who once ruled the Earth is even better when viewed outside. A big-screen
projection of Jurassic Park can recreate the theater experience while bringing
the added element of being outside, so make sure you
have the right equipment.
8. Ghostbusters
If you’re
more of a comedy fan, Ghostbusters can give you a combination of humor and
outlandish special effect ghosts that makes for a great outdoor viewing
combination. The combined comedic talents of Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd and
Harold Ramis make Ghostbusters engaging throughout, and the ghostly visitors
will give you some light, harmless chills and thrills.
9. Avatar
A towering achievement in special effects
wizardry, James Cameron’s Avatar is one of the greatest technical achievements
in movie-making history. Experiencing the incredibly realized world of Pandora
on a large screen in the summer night takes the immersion to the next level.
Imagine watching scenes deep within the vibrant jungle while feeling the night
breeze blowing against your face.
10. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a movie
that will make you look up at the sky at night and wonder. As a result, it’s a
perfect choice for an outdoor viewing. This tale of a small group of people
coming into contact with an alien intelligence is full of suspense and
wonderment, with an ending sequence that has lived in movie history over the
past several decades. Give it a try outdoors to bump the experience up a notch.
This list only scratches the surface of movies
perfect for outdoor viewing, but any of these 10 would be a great selection the
next time you want to gather a group and watch a movie outside.