As Oscar season approaches, there’s something magical about transforming an ordinary evening into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Whether you’re hosting a viewing party for the Academy Awards or simply craving a cozy night in, the right combination of tech and ambiance can turn your living room into a personal theater oasis.
From state-of-the-art sound systems to comfort essentials, we’ve curated a collection of must-have items that elevate movie night from basic to extraordinary. Get ready to create the perfect backdrop for those captivating storylines, bucket-worthy popcorn moments, and memories with friends and family — all from the comfort of your own home.
1. The Ultimate Popcorn Experience: Popsmith Stovetop Popcorn Maker
Bring cinematic popcorn quality into your home with Popsmith. The premium stainless-steel popper evenly distributes heat for consistently fluffy, gourmet popcorn.
Recently featured on Oprah’s list of favorite things, the popper’s sleek design complements any kitchen, while the six-quart capacity ensures there’s enough popcorn for the whole party.
“I’m tired of microwave popcorn and wanted a top-notch stove top popper,” says Caleb Denison, editor at large at Digital Trends Media Group and host of the popular YouTube series “You Asked.” Denison’s normally known for his frank and trusted reviews of consumer tech, but he told us he also has a soft spot for high-end cookware.
Popsmith also offers flavor kits like their Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn and Buttery Classic to make luxury popcorn at home into a memorable movie-night experience with family or friends.
2. The Big Screen Experience in Your Living Room – Epson Home Cinema Projector
Transform your home into a personal theater with the Epson Home Cinema 2350 Pro 4K Smart Streaming Projector. This UHD projector with 2800 lumens delivers crisp 4K images with vibrant color, bringing every scene to life, whether indulging in a classic film or hosting an Oscar-worthy watch party.
Dreaming of a cozy outdoor movie night under the stars? The 2350 Pro makes it easy, with all your favorite streaming apps built right in — just add Wi-Fi! Or, as the temperatures drop, simply move the cinematic experience indoors — project onto a wall, screen, or even your ceiling for a unique twist on binge-watching from bed.
Digital Trends’ Caleb Denison assures this projector will delight even the most demanding viewers: “The Epson 2350’s high brightness and tri-color LCD chip make it a legitimate choice for high-quality big-screen images. That you can get a projector this good under $1,000 is simply remarkable.”
Balancing quality and affordability, the 2350 Pro is a standout choice for those seeking a versatile, high-performance projector without breaking the bank. On sale for $899 — it’s an offer worthy of its own standing ovation!
3. Transform Your Living Room into a Cinematic Soundscape: Yamaha Surround Sound System
A big cinematic picture deserves equally epic cinematic sound, and for that, there’s no better solution than an easy-to-setup and easy-to-use surround sound system. For that, we love the Yamaha YHT-5960U 5.1-channel Home Theater System with 8K HDMI.
The YHT-5960U bundles everything you need for an exhilarating home theater surround experience into one box, including a powerful subwoofer, crystal clear center channel speaker, immersive surround speakers, and speaker cables and an A/V receiver that is as sleek as it is powerful.
The included 8K-capable A/V\ supports the latest game consoles and streaming boxes and also includes an auto-setup routine that dials in the sound perfectly with zero hassle.
“Yamaha consistently makes the best-sounding all-in-one home theater surround systems you can buy, and I particularly like the YHT-5960U for its robust power and modern feature set. But, perhaps more importantly, it’s easy to set up and use. There’s simply no better way to get folks into high-end home theater than this gateway system,” remarks Denison.
4. Your Personal Theater’s Secret Weapon: Phillips Hue Light Bar
This product is the ultimate ambient lighting solution that choreographs your viewing experience, creating an enhanced visual atmosphere that adapts to every scene. The key features include color-changing technology that syncs with on-screen action, adjustable positioning, instant mood enhancement across film genres, and so much more.
More than just a lighting accessory, the Philips Hue Light Bars are your personal cinematographer, painting your viewing environment with colors that breathe life into every frame. From the cool blues of a sci-fi thriller to the warm ambers of a nostalgic drama, these light bars transform your living room into a dynamic cinema.
While creating your ultimate home theater and gearing up for watching the Oscars, remember that building your ideal home theater is a journey. Start with the elements that matter most to you — whether that’s projecting onto a big screen, cozying up in a blanket surrounded by atmospheric lighting, or even popping that perfect bowl of popcorn — and build from there.
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a dedicated enthusiast, these recommendations can help transform your space into the home theater of your dreams for the Oscars! Create unforgettable movie nights that your family will cherish for years to come.
