Do you travel outside Anne Arundel County?

Yes. We're based in Edgewater and there's no travel fee anywhere in Anne Arundel County. For events outside the county — Prince George's, Calvert, Howard, and beyond — send a request or email us and we'll send a custom quote.

You get a free rain check. If the forecast turns on us, we reschedule your event to another open night at no cost. Your deposit simply moves with you.

What do you need from me?

Two things: a standard power outlet within 50 feet of the screen spot, and a reasonably flat area for the screen — grass, a driveway, or a patio all work. We'll handle everything else.

How early do you set up?

Full Service and Luxury: we arrive 2 hours before showtime to set up the screen, dial in the picture, and test the sound, and teardown is on us when the night is over. DIY: we drop off between 4 and 6 PM with a 10-minute walkthrough, you set up, and we pick up by noon the next day.

How late can the event run?

We keep the sound down by 10 PM to respect most HOA and neighborhood rules. If your community allows later, just tell us — we'll confirm the timing with you before event day.

What size is the screen?

Our inflatable screen gives you a 144-inch picture — 12 feet measured diagonally. It's sized for backyard parties of up to about 50 guests on blankets and lawn chairs. Planning a bigger crowd, like an HOA or school night? Request an event quote and we'll size the setup for your audience.

How does the deposit work?

A $75 deposit locks your date — we only have one rig, so it's one event per night. Cancel 7 or more days before your event and we refund the deposit in full; inside 7 days it's non-refundable. Weather is different: if rain or high wind is forecast, we decide together on event day and move your deposit to another open night at no cost. The balance is due on event day by Venmo, Zelle, or card.

How does the DIY package work?

We drop off the full rig between 4 and 6 PM on your event day and walk you through setup in about 10 minutes. You host your night, and we pick everything up by noon the next day. The equipment is in your care until pickup — see our Rental Terms.

Anything you can stream or plug in: Netflix, Disney+, YouTube TV, ESPN, fight pay-per-views, Blu-ray, or a gaming console. Bring your login or device and we connect it to the projector.

Is it bright enough to start before dark?

Projectors look best after sunset. For movies we suggest a start time about 20–30 minutes after sunset. Daytime games are by request only — projectors fight the sun, so put your kickoff time in your request and we'll tell you honestly whether your yard works.

Hosting guide

How to Host an Outdoor Movie Night in South River, MD

An outdoor movie night is one of the easiest ways to host a crowd in the South River area, from Edgewater and Riva to Davidsonville, Mayo and Shady Side. Here's how to plan one, step by step, from South River Outdoor Cinema, a locally owned outdoor cinema rental company based on the South River.

Step 1
Pick your date and start time
Weekend nights book first, and we run one rig, so it's one event per night. Movies look best about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset, so in summer that means a later start and in fall an earlier one. Weeknight (Monday to Thursday) shows start at 6 PM or later. Plan for the sound to come down by 10 PM, which fits most HOA and neighborhood rules.
Step 2
Choose the spot in your yard
You need a reasonably flat area for the screen (grass, a driveway or a patio all work) and a standard power outlet within 50 feet. The inflatable screen gives a 144-inch picture, 12 feet measured diagonally, which suits backyard parties of up to about 50 guests.
Step 3
Set up seating that works after dark
Most hosts ask guests to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Put blankets up front for kids and chairs behind them, leave a clear walkway to the house, and keep the area in front of the projector open so nobody walks through the picture.
Step 4
Decide what to watch, and test your login
Anything you can stream or plug in works: Netflix, Disney+, YouTube TV, ESPN, fight pay-per-views, Blu-ray or a game console. Sign in to your streaming account before the night, and buy any rental or pay-per-view ahead of time so the show starts on schedule.
Step 5
Plan the snacks
Fresh popcorn makes it feel like a real theater. Add a popcorn machine for $50 (it's included with the Luxury package), and set out drinks and finger food that are easy to eat in the dark.
Step 6
Have a weather plan
If rain or high wind is forecast, you get a free rain check: we decide together on event day and move your night to another open date at no cost, and your deposit moves with you.
Step 7
Give the neighbors a heads-up
A quick note or text to the neighbors goes a long way. Better yet, invite them. Outdoor movie nights make great block parties, and a friendly heads-up about the sound keeps everyone happy.
Step 8
Choose how hands-on you want to be
With DIY (from $215) we drop the rig off between 4 and 6 PM with a 10-minute walkthrough and pick it up by noon the next day. With Full Service ($349) or Luxury ($499) we arrive 2 hours before showtime, set up, test the picture and sound, and tear down after.

Movie night checklist

Date booked and start time set for after sunset
Flat spot picked, with an outlet within 50 feet
Blankets and lawn chairs (ask guests to bring their own)
Streaming login tested, rentals bought ahead of time
Popcorn, drinks and easy snacks
Neighbors invited or given a heads-up

Compare packages

How to Host an Outdoor Movie Night in South River, MD

Pick your date and start time

Choose the spot in your yard

Set up seating that works after dark

Decide what to watch, and test your login

Plan the snacks

Have a weather plan

Give the neighbors a heads-up

Choose how hands-on you want to be

Movie night checklist

Common questions

What if it rains?

What do you need from me?

How late can the event run?

Is it bright enough to start before dark?

Ready to host your movie night?