The best 11 home theater gifts for movie fans – soundbars, TVs, projectors and more

Go big for the ultimate home theater experience with an 85-inch display with 3000 nits peak brightness, but Hisense takes things a step further with Google TV built in. The theater lover on your holiday shopping list can enjoy entertainment from more than 10,000 apps directly from their home theater setup on this native 165Hz panel with a variable refresh rate that is IMAX enhanced.

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Physical-media devotees rejoice: the Panasonic DP-UB820 spins more magic than your average streaming stick and supports 4K discs with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for razor-sharp 4K visuals, while handling Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for audio immersion. Built with a sturdy chassis and abundant connectivity (including a dedicated HDMI audio output), it’s a dependable pick for years of viewing.

A perfect stocking-stuffer upgrade for any TV, the Google TV Streamer 4K delivers a sharp 4K picture with Dolby Vision HDR support and a simple, content-first interface. Navigation feels snappy, voice search keeps things easy, there’s strong app support for all the big streaming services, and it even doubles as a smart-home hub via Google Assistant.

For the friend who treats every movie night like a premiere, the Kaleidescape Strato E is the ultimate indulgence, delivering pristine 4K HDR films with Dolby Vision and lossless Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio, all stored locally for instant, disc-free playback. The slick interface feels genuinely cinematic, and picture quality is a clear step above streaming. Storage starts at a generous 480GB – enough for a handful of favourite blockbusters – making this a luxury gift for serious cinephiles.

If you’re thinking OLED for a movie-lover’s lounge upgrade, the LG C5 OLED is a genuine all-rounder. With top-tier picture quality, thanks to its Evo OLED panel and Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, it delivers deep contrast and vivid colours that make blockbusters pop. The C5 also packs a full gaming feature set for anyone doubling as a gamer. The built-in sound is decent but not extraordinary, so we recommend pairing it with a soundbar.

The 55-inch Roku Pro Series TV set makes a mighty fine gift for movie fans who want premium specs without a blockbuster budget. It rocks mini-LED back-lighting with full-array local dimming, supports 4K at 120 Hz plus Dolby Vision IQ, and has HDR10+ for rich contrast and color. The Roku interface is slick and the shadow-box design looks great on a wall. Slight caveats: brightness is solid but not top tier, and sound is good but you might still want a soundbar.

Movie fans who are also sports fans will delight in the bright, crisp picture put out by the Hisense U8QG mini-LED TV. The U8QG has Google TV onboard for streaming, and it supports both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats. Its native 165Hz display panel is equally adept for gaming and fast-paced sports, and the price is surprisingly low for such a high-performance TV.

For the movie lover who wants amazing visuals without stepping into ultra-high-end territory, the Samsung S95F OLED delivers. With brilliant contrast, vivid colours and support for Dolby Vision HDR, it makes blockbusters feel immersive. The 55-inch size suits most living rooms and the sleek design keeps things stylish. Sound is decent, though pairing with a good soundbar elevates the experience even more.

A brilliant gift for anyone dreaming of a cinema-sized picture at home – it can go up to 180 inches – the BenQ GP520 offers true 4K clarity, HDR10+ support, and enough brightness to work in a typical living room. Built-in Google TV keeps setup simple, so you can start streaming festive favorites straight away. It’s compact, whisper-quiet, and ideal for casual movie nights, though contrast and motion handling aren’t on the level of more premium, pricier models.

A great upgrade for anyone who binges their festive films, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus plugs straight into your TV and brings a wider, more detailed soundstage with Dolby Atmos support. Alexa voice control makes everything hands-free, and seamless integration with Fire TV keeps menus and streaming apps feeling familiar. While it won’t replace a full surround setup, it delivers a clear boost to dialogue and bass without breaking the budget.

The sleek Bose Smart Soundbar brings cinematic audio to living rooms without the clutter of separate speakers. It supports Dolby Atmos height channels, smart-assistant integration, and Bose’s Personal Surround Sound option via optional earbuds. The Smart Soundbar excels at dialogue clarity and offers great value. However, it’s a bit light on bass and has a narrower soundstage than full surround setups, so it’s best for smaller rooms.

This is a stunning gift for anyone who wants truly cinematic sound without filling the lounge with speakers. The Sonos Arc Ultra delivers spacious Dolby Atmos audio, with clear dialogue, impactful bass, and convincing height effects that make action scenes soar. It slots neatly under a TV, pairs effortlessly with the Sonos app, and can expand into a full system later. There’s no HDMI passthrough or DTS support, yet the overall performance still feels wonderfully premium.