Movie theaters have made a comeback, especially with massive hits like Barbie and others dominating the box office over the last few summers. But many movie lovers have become accustomed to watching new releases at home, myself included. It's just not the same, though, right? That's where we come in!

With the following list of inexpensive items, you can bring a bit of the theater to your living room and give it that movie theater feel without leaving the comfort of your own home.

watching tv

How to Build a DIY Theater at Home:

The Projector

Projectors can be quite expensive, but we've identified four viable options for your home theater setup (listed below), ranging from $65 to $279. However, those on a particularly strict budget can always create a DIY projector for your smartphone. By following the simple instructions, you can easily craft your own projector in no time.

The Screen

Having sorted out the projector, the next step in creating your perfect home cinema experience is choosing the right screen for displaying your favorite shows and movies. While a white bedsheet pinned to the wall might seem like a budget-friendly option, it's not without its issues, such as creases that can affect viewing quality. Below are three affordable projector screens, each priced under $100, that promise to bring a bit of movie theater magic right into your home.

The Speakers

Many of the above projectors have built-in speakers, so purchasing an additional pair of speakers is not necessary unless you go the cell phone route. So, if you want that surround sound experience, we highly suggest purchasing one of the following speakers, all of which are under $50.

Now that you've got all the equipment you'll need to put together your own home movie theater, it's time to start binge-watching!

But, with hundreds upon hundreds of options on a variety of streaming services—Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+—it can be a pretty daunting task to figure out exactly what movie or show fits your mood or interests at that particular moment in time. Personally, I click through several titles and streaming apps for at least 15 minutes before I finally decide to just watch The Office over and over again.

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Kristina Shriver
Director of Our Community Now. When not writing or reading, Kristina likes to dance like no one is watching and enjoys speaking in vague movie references/quotes, which only a select few in her circle truly understand. A huge nerd, she loves attending comic book conventions (in costume, of course!) and engaging in geek-fueled conversations with anyone who is willing to listen to her ramble. She also dedicates her spare time to supporting various mental health organizations.
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