There’s nothing like watching The Lion King under the stars to bring Disney magic to your backyard! Whether planning a family night, birthday bash, or just a fun evening with friends, an outdoor movie night is the perfect way to make memories. An outdoor movie night centered around The Lion King ensures delightful moments in your backyard. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable experience, including a fun themed recipe for Lion King Grubs that Timon and Pumbaa would approve of. Let the Hakuna Matata vibes begin!
Ready to turn your backyard into your very own Pride Rock? Let’s break down everything you need to create an unforgettable Lion King outdoor movie night. We’ll cover everything from snacks to setup for the outdoor movie night, so your guests feel like royalty. Here’s what’s coming up next:
- Treats – Themed snacks, including a fun Lion King Grubs recipe
- The Scene – How to set the mood with lighting, decor, and jungle vibes
- Movie Set-Up – Tips for the perfect screen, sound, and seating
- Fan Items – Fun extras like themed props, games, or party favors
Let’s get started!
Treats
No movie night is complete without snacks. For this one, we’re going full jungle mode! Start with classic favorites like popcorn, juice boxes, and animal crackers, then add a themed twist with our Lion King Grubs recipe. Inspired by Timon and Pumbaa’s bug-loving appetite, these sweet and colorful treats are made with gummy worms, pudding, and cookie crumbles for a “slimy yet satisfying” dessert kids will love. These treats are perfect additions for your outdoor movie night. It’s an easy, no-bake recipe perfect for little helpers to assemble too!
Lion King Grubs
Equipment
- 8 4 oz mason jars
Ingredients
- 1 pkg chocolate instant Jello pudding
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz cool whip or whipped topping
- 10 Oreo cookies
- 16 gummy worms
Instructions
- Prepare pudding according to directions.
- Crumble oreos in your food processor or place them in a baggie and pound with a hammer.
- Fill each jar half way with chocolate Jello.
- Fill almost to the top with cool whip.
- Top with cookie crumbles and place your gummy worms in each jar.
Nutrition
Setting The Scene
Set the stage for adventure by transforming your backyard into your slice of the Pride Lands! Think warm, glowing string lights, cozy blankets, and plenty of pillows to create a relaxed, safari-style vibe. To add an extra touch of magic, create a “trail” of Lion King footprints leading to the viewing area, use chalk on the sidewalk or printable cutouts to guide your guests straight to the savanna. A few well-placed plush animals or leafy decorations can bring the jungle to life! This can turn their Outdoor Movie Night into an unforgettable safari-themed adventure.
Movie Set-Up
For the ultimate outdoor viewing experience, a little tech prep goes a long way. We used a Portable pocket projector and a Tailgater speaker to bring The Lion King to life under the stars. Both connected easily to our iPad Pro, where we had the movie downloaded and ready to go – no Wi-Fi needed! Aim the projector at a blank wall or hang up a white sheet, adjust your seating. This tech setup ensures a perfect Outdoor Movie Night with loved ones. And you’ve got a backyard theater worthy of Pride Rock.
Fan Items
Want to take your movie night to the next level? Add a few Lion King-themed fan items to really wow your guests! We included the adorable Simba Pop! Vinyl Figure by Funko as a centerpiece—it’s perfect for snapping cute themed photos. Everyone stayed cozy with the Disney Lion King Jungle Friends 46×60 Woven Tapestry Throw, adding comfort and safari style. We served drinks in the Silver Buffalo LK5132 Disney Lion King Moonlight Ceramic Mugs because sipping hot cocoa while watching Simba’s journey is just plain magical.
Once night hit, we finally got to watch. We laughed with Timon and Pumbaa, cried with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and found our place in the “Circle of Life.” The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film’s award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of “The Lion King.” Enjoying these features turns any movie screening into a perfect Outdoor Movie Night experience.
The Lion King is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. I can watch it over and over with the kids. Watching it under the stars sounds magical and would be so much fun.
We LOVE The Lion King. I need to try out this dessert, yum. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the movie–we’ll have to watch again soon.
That’s a fun idea! I’ve made similar stuff like this before but never really had a theme for it. I like the theme for this one. It’s cute and I’ve always loved the lion King.
My daughter family love the Lion King and making this great for them would be perfect for watching the movie.
We are so excited for the upcoming Lion King release. I can’t wait to watch it with my kids and this year we’re watching my great nephew and my great niece.
I loved the Lion King. From the music to the storyline to everything in between. But combining it with a snack like that makes it even better! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve always wanted to do a movie outside at home. The Loin King sounds like the perfect choice for a movie under the stars.
Aww, what fun ways to enjoy the movie. The grub snacks are so perfect ! It’s so cool that you were able to enjoy the movie outside!
Looks like such a fun time! Love the Lion King, such a classic. And those grubs! The kids (and I’m sure the adults too haha) would have such a great time eating them 🙂
My sister and cousins organized a “Drive-In Movie” with their young kids. They set up an outdoor movie theater and the kids had the option to stay in their toy cars or “park them” and sit or lay down on sleeping bags and air mattresses. It was so much fun. I think they did a two-movie marathon, i just can’t remember what they were.
The Lion King was the first movie my son sat through as a baby! It is still one of his favorites. This looks so fun. We’ll have to do this!
Your Lion King grubs are so cute – the perfect companion to the movie! Hakuna Matata – looks like your kiddos enjoyed their bugs!
Lion King is perfect for an outdoor movie night. That grubs recipe looks like a great snack to accompany me.
We love worms in dirt! What a fun tie in with Lion King, which is one of my most favorite Disney animated movies of all.
Lion King is in many ways a cult. These are so many cute and lovely ways to watch the movie with an almost immersive experience.
The lion king is an amaizing movie! And with that recipe makes it more awesome!
ahh yes! the good old Lion King, I haven’t seen that movie in a while… I’ll have to make an outdoor movie with that fantastic grubs snack (cute idea!) before winter comes. thanks!
Treats were always my favorite as a kid. Enjoying a fun snack while watching a good movie is always enjoyable.
What a fun party theme! I can’t wait until my boys are brave enough to watch the Lion King. I know that it is a bit too scary for them now, but I sure do love it.
Omg love the ideas you have here. Grab snacks are so fun . Love lion King – it’s a timeless movie really!