Summer Nights Go Cinematic As Disney+ And Swimply Turn Pools Into Movie Magic

Blockbuster movies have been making a splash in the most unexpected place this summer: backyard pools.

Disney+ has teamed up with Swimply—affectionately dubbed by many as the “Airbnb for pools”—to launch the Disney+ Dive-in Theater, a one-of-a-kind experience that transforms private swimming pools across the Los Angeles area into larger-than-life re-creations of beloved films.

Since July, fans have literally been diving into the worlds of Alien, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and Camp Rock for a movie night unlike any other.

(A performer makes a stunning appearance at the beginning of the Alien screening at Disney + and Swimply's Dive-in Theater. Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for Disney+)

Imagine floating through fog-filled waters while Alien lights up the screen, or swimming in a giant cereal bowl straight out of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. For Camp Rock enthusiasts, there’s even a poolside stage perfect for channeling your inner rock star. Every detail—from interactive photo ops to themed décor—has been designed to blur the line between watching a film and living inside it.

Swimply, which has quickly grown into a go-to platform for booking private pools by the hour, makes these experiences possible by turning local backyards into one-of-a-kind venues.

Just as Airbnb opened the door to unique stays, Swimply lets pool owners share their spaces, offering guests a mix of privacy, convenience, and creativity. Now, with Disney+, that creativity has been taken to a whole new, cinematic level.

(Guests wait for the Alien screening to begin during Disney + and Swimply's Dive-in Theater. Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for Disney+)

“The Disney+ Dive-in Theater allows fans to connect with their favorite films in a way they’ve never been able to before,” said Samantha Rosenberg, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Disney+. “Audiences crave real-world experiences that let them step into the stories they love.”

Unlike large outdoor screenings, these intimate backyard settings create a sense of exclusivity and discovery.

Bunim Laskin, CEO and Co-Founder of Swimply, added, “Swimply is all about escaping locally and transporting yourself to another realm—both physically and mentally. On the screen, nobody does that better than Disney+, so we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate and bring that magic to Swimply backyards.”

Guests aren't just watching these classics poolside—they’ve been stepping into fully themed environments designed to blur the line between movie magic and real life.

Of course, the events are also a great promotional tool for Swimply, with a growing list of pools around the world ready to be booked. And for Disney, it's a chance to promote their brands and other programming. While the 1979 Alien movie is playing, they can also promote their new Alien: Earth show which premiered on FX and Hulu on Aug. 12.

(Backyards are transformed into unique movie worlds during the special Disney + and Swimply Dive-in Theater, as seen here for the Alien screening. Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for Disney+)

Unlike traditional outdoor screenings, these dive-in theaters are designed to be intimate and highly curated, giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with their favorite movies in a whole new way. With every pool transformed into its own themed universe, no two screenings are exactly alike.

The concept taps into a growing cultural trend: fans craving experiences that allow them to step directly into the stories they love. Instead of passively watching a film, participants are invited to be part of the action—floating, swimming, and soaking up the atmosphere as though they’ve been dropped right into the movie.

While the current Dive-in Theater schedule is winding down, there may just be more on the way. And there are always pools to book on Swimply's website for you to create your own event.

(Photo by: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for Disney+)