Movie nights are a great way to get cozy and settle in with your family. And after a long week of school, work, and activities, it can be a treat to simply get lost in a great story.
But, if piling on the couch sounds ho-hum to you, consider amping up your movie night with a movie-themed dinner and activities!
The Movie-Themed Dinner
How do I theme a dinner, you ask? Oh let me tell you the ways!
Themed dinners for movie night are a common occurrence in our house. First, we choose a movie to watch later in the week. Then, I get to work creating a special menu inspired by the movie selection. The kids love these special themed dinners because it immerses them in the stories they see on-screen. It’s also a great opportunity for them to try new foods (and treats!) that we don’t typically have.
Not only do the kids enjoy some novel foods, but we also get to experience a whole evening of themed fun! Whether it’s playing a game, making a craft, or participating in a special activity — it’s more than simply sitting down to watch a movie.
Now that you have the basic concept, here are some ways you can take inspiration from your favorite films to create a fun themed dinner for your family!
Movie-Themed Dinner Ideas
Copy Actual Dishes from the Movie
This is the most obvious way to go — make the actual food you see in the movie! The kids will get a kick out of eating the very same things as their favorite characters on-screen.
And let’s be honest — us adults love it too!
For example, we always watch A Goofy Movie on the last day of school to kick off summer vacation. And every time we do, I make a pot of “Hi Dad” Soup and keep a can of spray cheese on hand for everyone to make their “Leaning Tower of Cheeza.” This is a tradition the kids look forward to every year, and I love that a simple themed dinner brings them so much joy.
Here are some more ideas:
- Whip up a batch of spaghetti and meatballs for a Lady and the Tramp themed dinner.
- Prepare a feast of gumbo, beignets, and other southern favorites for a Princess and the Frog movie night. And use it as a learning opportunity to teach the kiddos about Mardi Gras history and traditions.
- Get inspired by the iconic dishes in Ratatouille — this film is all about FOOD. Serve up Remy’s famous soup, French bread, and the film’s namesake dish, ratatouille.
Many of these iconic movie dishes have official recipes online. And if not, most have some pretty stellar copycat recipes you can try out too.
Incorporate Cuisine from Another Culture
This is one of my favorite ways to theme a dinner because I absolutely love international cuisine.
And preparing foods from another culture is a great way to expand kids’ palates by introducing them to new flavors and methods of preparation.
For example, you could prepare a variety of Chinese dishes for a Mulan themed dinner, or some traditional Mexican cuisine for a Coco themed dinner.
Using cultural influences also presents great learning opportunities for the kiddos to learn about other people around the world.
Take Coco, for instance. Much of the film focuses on the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. You can spend some time teaching your kids about the holiday and challenge them to spot examples of what they learned throughout the film.
It’s a great way to expose your family to traditions from around the world!
Make Dishes Resembling Your Favorite Characters
If you are feeling really artistic, you can theme your dishes to look like the characters in the movie you’re watching.
For example, serve some “Baby Yoda” cookies or a BB8 cheeseball for a Star Wars viewing party.
And if you need help finding inspiration, Pinterest is your friend!
Even if your finished dish resembles a “Pinterest fail,” your family will appreciate the effort and you can all share a laugh together.
Additional Elements for Extra Fun
To really set the party tone, consider throwing together some décor to fit your themed dinner. You can keep things inexpensive by purchasing party supplies from the Dollar Store.
Creating food labels and printed menus is another great way to personalize your décor. I love using Canva for these types of projects, and it’s free!
You could also dress up to fit the theme of your dinner. It’s no secret kids love playing dress up, whether it’s their favorite superhero, princess, or villain. But seeing the adults get in on the fun will make your special movie night that much more memorable.
Creating Memories
There are many reasons to have a movie-themed dinner movie night. And my personal favorite (and somewhat sappy) reason is: themed dinners can lead to new family traditions and lifelong memories.
The possibilities to create a movie-themed dinner are endless, and it can be as simple or complex as you want to make it.
The most important thing is to let your imagination run wild and have fun!
And for a throwback idea for family movie night, see Family Movie Night: ’90s Edition.
