In Home Movie Date Nights with the Oscars -- Part II!

What’s a better way for in-home date than a movie date night? Give yourself a blast of the past and film education by hosting a Best Picture movie night. Start your planning by searching the database on the Academy Awards website. Find the full list of every movie to win Best Picture or filter by year. Or you can check out our top 10 picks.

It might be fun to watch the winner of the award, as well as the other nominees. Find out if you agree with the Academy. Talk with your friends and spouse about what you would like to watch. A marathon series of several movie nights on a theme could be fun, as well. The sky’s the limit in terms of what to watch-- chose from musical best pictures, best pictures from everyone’s year of birth or high school graduation, or best pictures from one decade. Get creative!

Virtual Group Date! The Best Way for Everyone to Watch Best Pictures

After choosing the films, decide how to watch the film. Between the pandemic and people not living close, a virtual movie night (read: group date) is a good option. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime allow you to host a Watch Party if each attendee has their own account on the platform. If there isn’t a common streaming service among the guests, there are other options. You can watch together on a video call, using a streaming service, a DVD, or sync up to watch at the same time and have one person broadcast the sound through the phone. A downside to this is that hearing the movie in the background can present challenges and you probably won’t be perfectly in sync, either. However, this allows you to easily chat about the movie as you watch it. Of course, you’ll also be able to discuss the movie easily once it’s over. 

Another option, if people live close enough and the weather is good, is to have an outdoor movie date night. This will work best if you have a movie projector and screen or can easily borrow one. Everyone can bring their own chairs, blankets, and snacks. Gather in “pods” or individually six feet away from one another to follow social distance recommendations. You’ll be nice and cozy to watch the film and can easily talk it over afterward. 

However you host your movie date night, make the mood more fun by decorating in the movie’s theme. Guests can dress up as characters from the movie or in period costumes. It may be fun to make a costume contest part of the event. 

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