Top 25 Outdoor Movie: Monsters Inc.

Monsters, Inc. is next on our list of Top 25 Outdoor Movies of All Time. The animated film from Pixar, though released in 2001, is already a classic that brings joy and entertainment to families everywhere.

Before we get into why it’s a great pick for your next outdoor movie or backyard cinema event, check out this clip from the film:

The story follows a cast of monsters whose job is to scare human children—because human screams power their city, Monstropolis. Two monsters, Sully (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), accidentally let a little girl into Monstropolis and scramble to get her home, running into one obstacle after another. The result is an entertaining, smart, well-directed story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A couple of things make Monsters, Inc. an excellent pick. First, it’s beloved by kids but has plenty of laughs for the rest of the family—no one will be bored, and the bigger the crowd, the better. The film is sure to draw an audience, and even though most of your community members have probably seen it before, it’s guaranteed to make your event a success.

Technically, it’s a great choice too: it’s high in contrast with bright colors, so the image reads brighter and cleaner than an average film—it’ll make your projectionist’s night go that much smoother, and it holds up well even if there’s a little peripheral light around your venue. The soundtrack is bold and loud, so it carries easily to the whole audience without the quiet-then-blaring swings some films have.

Last of all, check with Swank Motion Pictures about the special rules for screening Disney films—there are specific dates set aside for Disney titles, so check ahead for the current year’s Disney screening dates. With a little planning, you’ll be able to screen your favorite Disney film with no problems. See Monsters, Inc. licensing on Swank’s parks & recreation page.

Has anyone recently screened Monsters, Inc. as an outdoor movie? We’d love to hear your story and see photos from the night—email us at sales@openaircinema.us. Thanks for reading!