The 5 Best Outdoor Movie Screens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Skip the hassle of movie theater tickets and expensive popcorn—you can enjoy the cinema from the comfort of your backyard or patio with an outdoor movie screen.
“Having an outdoor movie screen allows entertainment to be experienced in outdoor living spaces,” says Jaime Abrego, product manager at Elite Screens, a projection screen manufacturing company. “No longer are we confined to indoor movie watching. Outdoor screens come in a variety of types, from permanently installed or portable, so you can take them anywhere.”
To find the best outdoor movie screens, we tested nine options in real-world conditions over three months, evaluating each screen on factors like durability, design, value, and more. We also spoke to Abrego for her expert insight on how to use your screen for optimal viewing.
Holiday Styling Giant Inflatable Projector Screen at Amazon
$291
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The crisp and bright screen can be viewed from any angle.
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It may start to curve at the edges after ample use.
Pull-down movie screens are as convenient as it gets—you can attach them to a wall or hang them from the ceiling for easy, on-hand access, and this option from Elite Screens is the best of the bunch. During testing, the screen was easy to assemble and pull down, requiring just a few screws to attach securely.
We left this screen hanging under an awning on the side of a garage for three months and didn't find any wear and tear after it was exposed to outdoor conditions—it didn't become dirty, and only had some straggling spider webs at the ends of the screen (which are, of course, easy to wipe off). The screen performed the same throughout our long-term testing, which allowed us to confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a convenient outdoor movie screen.
This 4K Ultra HD screen is available in five sizes and four aspect ratios, giving you plenty of options to suit your outdoor space. While it boasts a low price, it offers a very high-quality picture, creating a crisp and bright viewing experience no matter where you sit. Plus, it works with all projectors and has a two-inch auto-lock mechanism to change the height. It’s also very compact and can be rolled up easily into its steel case when not in use, preventing wrinkles.
Screen Sizes: 80, 100, 120, 125, 135 inches | Dimensions: 108.7 x 76.1 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:10, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | Accessories: Carrying case | Gain: 1.1
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Wade Review / Jennifer May
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It comes in nine sizes and three aspect ratios, giving you plenty of options.
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It can be tricky to adjust the height.
If you prefer an outdoor movie screen that stands on its own, we recommend the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Projection Screen. This freestanding screen requires a large area to set up, but once you have it assembled, it provides a fantastic viewing experience. Plus, it comes in nine sizes and three aspect ratios to suit any outdoor space.
This wider-than-average screen allows for an equally bright image quality no matter where you sit or where you place it. During our three-month testing, we used this screen to host small crowds for backyard movie nights. It retained its stellar quality throughout our real-world use and didn't become dirty or disheveled either.
We noted that setup could be faster—it took us anywhere from 5-10 minutes to set up and disassemble after viewing. We also found that it can be difficult to adjust the height since it requires removing screws. During our initial use, we saw a few wrinkles when we first unfolded the screen, but they weren't super noticeable or bothersome throughout our long-term tests.
When you’re done watching, you can collapse the frame to place the screen and stand in the included storage bag. Overall, its top-notch picture quality, large size, and portability make it a worthwhile purchase.
Screen Sizes: 96, 100, 110, 120, 135, 145, 150, 180, 200 inches | Dimensions: 110.4 x 64.7 inches | Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | Accessories: Carrying case | Gain: 1.3
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![Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Projection Screen set up in a backyard]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Cathy Fallone
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![Frame of a Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Projection Screen on grass]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Cathy Fallone