Inspired by @homebyjodie_: How to Host a Hot Tub Movie Night

Crisp evening air, bubbling warm water, and your favourite films playing against the dark - autumn is officially peak spa season. Taking family movie night out onto the patio with your hot tub is one of the best ways to lean into colder nights without shivering in your layers.

This week, we’re taking inspiration from community member Jodie (@homebyjodie_), whose back garden autumn cinema set-up inspired this guide to building your own hot tub movie night.

Here's how to recreate the look at home.

1. The Setup: Getting a Clear Sightline to a Screen

There are plenty of ways to create the ultimate setup, but here's what we recommend: either give your tub a clear view of an indoor TV, or grab a projector and bring the cinema outside.

Imagery: @homebyjodie_

TV in view: Position your hot tub with a direct line of sight to your indoor TV, ideally through an open patio door or large window. You get an eye-level view of the screen from the bubbles, the TV stays safe from damp night air and stray splashes, and you can pull the curtains to cut down on reflections.

Grab a projector: No TV in sight? A portable outdoor projector does the job. Entry-level models start from around £100–£150, while brighter, weather-resistant options built for garden use run from roughly £250–£400+. Beam it onto an exterior wall, a pull-up screen or even a plain sheet pegged to a fence, and bring it indoors or under cover between uses.

2. Low-Level Lighting (Ditch the Overhead Light)

Bright patio floodlights kill the cinema mood instantly. Keep the lighting warm, low, and atmospheric around the ground and edges.

• Pumpkin lanterns: Scatter fresh pumpkins around the base of the spa and add a warm lantern or glowing jar nearby to throw patterned light across the paving.
• Floating candles indoors: Hang floating taper candles near the ceiling along the doorline for a soft, magical glow without washing out the screen.
• Tabletop warmers: Set amber glass candles and velvet seasonal accents on nearby indoor tables for ambient warmth visible from the water.
  

Imagery: @homebyjodie_

3. Water Temp & The 'Warm Towel' Relay

Once the sun goes down, autumn air cools fast.

Keep your water dialled in between 38°C and 40°C so you stay warm while sitting still through an entire feature film.

Pro tip: Keep fluffy towels and cosy robes inside right by the radiator or in the tumble dryer while the film plays. Take a warm mug of seasonal cider or hot chocolate to the tub rim during the opening scene, and let someone do a quick towel run just before you climb out to skip the chilly dash indoors.

4. Three Film Picks for Movie Night

Hot tub movie nights need titles with rich autumnal visuals and plots that don't demand tiny subtitle-reading. Here are three community picks to rotate in:

• Knives Out (2019): Chunky knitwear, misty autumn foliage, and an entertaining whodunnit that keeps everyone guessing between bubbles.
• Hocus Pocus (1993): The classic family October pick for an early-evening soak before the temperature drops too low.
• Harry Potter: Flickering candlelight, golden autumn tones, and a story everyone can dip in and out of without losing the plot - Jodie's pick for the ultimate feast-night atmosphere.

Imagery: @homebyjodie_

Steal the Look

You don't need a massive garden plot to create a cosy cinema retreat.

By pairing an energy-efficient Como foam spa with the natural architecture of her patio, Jodie's set-up feels tucked away while keeping all power and electronics safely dry inside. Add a couple of pumpkins, your favourite hot drink, and you have an evening routine that beats the living room couch every time.

Want to see more of how Jodie styles her home and garden through the seasons? Follow her on Instagram: @homebyjodie_.

Your Everyday Escape

A hot tub movie night is just one way to make the most of these colder months. However you use yours – a film under the stars, a quiet soak after a long day, or simply a reason to get outside – the right spa makes it easy to find your escape, right in your own garden. Our Eco Foam Spas range is built with dense insulation to hold the heat through the colder months, so it's ready whenever you need it.

Find Your Escape →