Should I buy a projector for backyard movie nights?

Yes—buy a projector if you’ll use it several times per season and can control light. For backyard movie nights, the biggest make-or-break factors are brightness, a proper outdoor screen, power/audio setup, and waiting until after sunset.

My practical recommendation: buy a portable outdoor-friendly projector plus a separate screen, not just a bare projector aimed at a wall. Look for high brightness, easy setup, and enough audio connectivity for a Bluetooth or wired speaker. If you want a budget-friendly named starting point, the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is worth considering because it has been highlighted as a solid budget outdoor projector.

Skip buying one if you only plan to use it once or twice, your yard has strong ambient light you can’t reduce, or you don’t want to manage setup, extension cords, weather, storage, and speakers. In that case, borrowing/renting or using a large TV indoors may be better.