The complete backyard movie night budget planner for Perth.

A great backyard movie night in Perth doesn’t need to be expensive. But it does need to be planned. This guide walks through every cost component — cinema hire, seating, food, lighting, licences — so you can build a realistic budget before you start booking anything.

Where most backyard movie night budgets go

Cinema hire — the biggest line item

The 3m inflatable screen at $280 includes a cinema-grade projector, sound system, full setup and packdown. You could hire a consumer projector from Harvey Norman or JB Hi-Fi for less — but brightness and quality are significantly better with a dedicated cinema package.

Seating

Bean bags at $11 each are the most popular upgrade. For 20 guests, 15–18 bags works well. Mix with blankets. Buying from Kmart runs $40–$80 each — hiring wins on cost and eliminates storage.

Food and drinks

Budget $5–$8 per person for popcorn and basic snacks. Keep food portable — no cutlery needed. Taste.com.au finger food ideas are reliably crowd-pleasing. BBQ sausages, loaded hot dogs and popcorn are Perth backyard classics.

Lighting

Bunnings solar festoon lights from ~$40. Switch them off once the film starts — competing light washes out the projected image.

Film licensing

Private household screenings are exempt. If you invite guests outside your household, you technically need a public performance licence from Roadshow or Amalgamated Movies. See our community event guide. Check BOM Perth forecast before your event date.