20 Best Drive-In Movie Theatres in the US
Drive-in movie theatres witnessed tremendous success during the 1950s and ‘60s. But now, their numbers shrinking from over 4,000 to just around 300 drive-in movie theatres, the experience has hit a headwind. Nevertheless, the outdoor movie theatre experience has bounced back as an embodiment of the nostalgic mid-60s life. Here is a list of the 20 best drive-in movie theatres in the US.
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1/20
Blue Fox Drive-In, Washington, USA
Tucked in a scenic environment just 90 minutes from Seattle, Blue Fox Drive-In offers a holistic experience to movie and adventure lovers. The theatre is pet-friendly and does not just stop at that. Blue Fox has its own go-karting, arcades, and beer gardens.
It offers a double feature of first-run movies on Whidbey Island’s biggest screen at affordable prices. The box office opens at 4 p.m., selling tickets at $6.50 – $7.00 to adults. At an additional cost, a radio can be rented for good-quality audio. Carrying camping goods is highly recommended for a peaceful stay after the movie.
2/20
Wheel-In Motor Drive-In, Washington, USA
Wheel-In Motor Drive-In is the last theatre in Washington state to have original car window speakers. Also, a dedicated FM channel transmits the sound to the car radio. Located amidst the forests, Wheel-In Motor Drive-In is a 2-hour drive from Seattle via Interstate 5.
The price of a general admission ticket is $10. The seasonal theatre operates from May until Halloween. The family-owned outdoor theatre screens double and triple features from Friday to Sunday. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. But you can munch on some of the tastiest foods from their concession stands. The theatre is pet friendly and is busy on the weekends, so it is better to arrive an hour early to enjoy a seamless outdoor movie experience.
3/20
Sky-Vu Drive-In Movie Theatre, Minnesota, USA
Sky-Vu Drive-In is a 50+-year-old drive-in movie theatre located in the heart of the Red River Valley. It is very close to Grand Forks, ND, Crookston, MN, and Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Double features are screened from April through December at $10 per adult. The theatre has excellent screen quality and delivers unhindered sound through your car’s FM stereo. The theatre is pet friendly and has one of the cheapest food options.
4/20
Basin Drive-In, Utah, USA
The Basin Drive-In is a seasonal drive-in theatre that operates from spring to fall. It is pretty reputable for its juicy hamburgers. But the concession stands are open only during the first few minutes. So, it is advisable to get there early to grab some food. Also, the theatre allows outside food without any food permits. At $7 per adult and $5 for kids and seniors, Basin Drive-In streams movies every day of the week except on Sundays. The theatre replays some classics and old films as well.
5/20
Northfield Drive-In, New Hampshire, USA
Located on the state line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Northfield Drive-In is operational every summer. Movies are screened on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At $13, you can watch a double feature right where the academy award-nominated film, ‘The Cider House Rules,’ was shot in 1998. The outdoor movie theatre offers excellent vegetarian options, a playground, and is pet friendly. Northfield passes on the retro-movie experience to the current generation by playing both new and retro movies.
6/20
Parma Motor-Vu Drive-In, Idaho, USA
Parma Motor-Vu Drive-In is one of the best outdoor movie theatres you will find in Idaho. Beautiful sunsets and vibrant clouds combined with a double feature at $9. This theatre also offers vintage indoor seating lined up with amazing snack and drink areas. The seasonal outdoor theatre shows movies on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from spring through fall. Parma Motor-Vu Drive-In is pet-friendly. The gates open at 7 p.m., but it is best to arrive early since there are no advanced bookings.
7/20
Spud Drive-In, Idaho, USA
What makes an outdoor movie theatre experience worth it? Spud Drive-In will check everything off the list you have in mind. Set in the picturesque surroundings of the Big Hole Mountain range, Spud Drive-In screens a double feature of first-run movies at $9.50. It is open every summer and hosts special events in September. The theatre screens first-run and current movies throughout the week and retro-movies occasionally. It is 45 minutes from Jackson Hole and offers cabin stays during winter.
8/20
Quasar Drive-In Movie Theatre, Nebraska, USA
Located very close to Omaha (a 20-minute drive), Quasar Drive-In in Nebraska offers a double feature at a very reasonable rate of $10 per adult. The theatre has a concession stand and also provides food passes at $10. Fridays and Saturdays screen a double feature. Thursday nights are “Classics with a Cause,” where a single classic film is screened for free. Nevertheless, donations are encouraged to support local charities. The theatre allows advanced booking through the link on its Facebook page.
9/20
Goochland Drive-In, Virginia, USA
A 30-minute drive from Richmond will lead you to this pet-friendly, open-field movie theatre in Virginia. Goochland Drive-In theatre accepts online and advanced bookings only, and no outside food or drinks are allowed. The ticket per vehicle is $25, and the maximum number of people per car is seven. Goochland ensures a safe and pleasant experience where you don’t have to wait at the box office or drive around trying to find a spot. The shows start at 7:00 and 6:35 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively.
10/20
Mendon Twin Drive-In, Massachusetts, USA
Placed atop a 16-acre tree-lined beautiful land, Mendon Twin Drive-In is a two-screen outdoor movie theatre that was opened in 1953. It offers a seamless movie experience with the best digital projection and Dolby digital sound technology. From tasty pretzels to freshly popped popcorn, Mendon Twin offers the best quality food. It also has a 5,000 square feet Beer Garden with a view of the first screen. The ticket price is $32 per vehicle. The 800-car capacity drive-in movie theatre is one of the finest in the country to date.
11/20
Silver Moon Drive-In, Florida, USA
Silver Moon Drive-In, a 70+-year-old drive-in movie theatre, is the last one left in Polk County. It shows first-run double feature movies on two screens seven nights a week. The movie screening starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. The theatre grounds take the shape of a swap shop on the weekends from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can buy or sell almost anything under the sun. This pet-friendly theatre offers tickets at just $7 and radio rentals at $2. Silver Moon Drive-In allows outside food and drinks.
12/20
Swap Shop and Thunderbird Drive-In, Florida, USA
Swap Shop and Thunderbird Drive-In are, without question, the largest drive-in rigged with 14 screens. At just $7 per adult, you can watch first-run movies every night of the year. The price for kids aged 5 -11 is just $2. Most of the shows start at 7 p.m. with a double feature. A few shows start around 8:30 p.m. Watch out for their free movie ticket coupons that are valid on Monday and Tuesday.
It also has the largest daily flea market shows.
13/20
Sunset Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vermont, USA
Sunset Drive-In is a combination of a picnic area, playground, mini-golf course, snack bar, and an excellent outdoor movie projection at just $12 per adult. Featuring four vibrant screens that show two movies each from May through September, this is the best way to lose yourself in new releases, classics, and blockbuster hits amidst the wilderness. The theatre allows pets as long as they stay calm. Ticketing is online, and the parking is based on a first-come-first-serve basis.
14/20
Holiday Twin Drive-In, Colorado, USA
The Holiday Twin Drive-In shows both classics and modern films as double features on Friday nights at $8 per adult. The theatre opens in Spring and operates through the first weekend of September. It starts screening movies seven nights a week after Memorial Day weekend.
It has excellent options for beer, wine, dessert, and snacks at the concession stands. The theatre is pet friendly. Make sure to carry cash, as it is the only payment mode at the box office. However, debit and credit cards are accepted at the concession stands.
15/20
Bengies Drive-In, Maryland, USA
If you are on an outdoor movie marathon, Bengies Drive-In is probably the first one you should visit to let the drive-in movie theatre experience seep in. With a 120 x 52 feet uncropped screen, Bengies offers triple features on almost every Friday and Saturday and a double feature on Sundays. Shows are from early spring to late fall at $12.50 per adult. In addition to a large concession stand, you can get a guaranteed parking space through a $4 online booking. This pet-friendly theatre accepts only cash at the box office. It also conducts an annual scout camp-in at the drive-in theatre with a per-night cost of $5 per person.
16/20
Starlight Drive-In, Georgia, USA
Situated on the outskirts of Atlanta, Starlight Drive-In operates with a four-screen digital projection system throughout the year. The ticket price is $8 per adult. This 70+-year-old theatre shows double features and hosts a flea market on weekends. Pets are not allowed here. This theatre operates from Monday to Friday, with shows starting at 8 p.m.,9:45 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. Even if you cannot arrive early, the hilly landscape makes finding a good parking spot easy.
17/20
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theatre, Georgia, USA
Wilderness Outdoor movie theatre, which is less than a 15-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga has two screens and a large playground. Open from April to September, this outdoor theatre set near the Lookout Mountain range screens a double feature at $7 per adult from 8:45 p.m. It is pet-friendly and even has a dog-walking area. Only cash is accepted at the box office. You can rent battery boosters or a radio anytime. This outdoor movie theatre has a wide range of food options from its concession stand.
18/20
Warwick Drive-In Movie Theatre, New York, USA
Warwick Drive-In theatre is family-oriented and operates from March to October. It shows currently popular films as a double feature on three screens. The tickets are limited and presold on the theatre’s website. For better sound quality, a radio can be rented for $5. This theatre is pet friendly. Although it usually takes about an hour and 20 minutes from Bronx/NYC, it is advisable to leave early to avoid weekend traffic along Interstate 87. The theatre has a mobile application called “FanFood,” where food can be preordered through the mobile and picked up from the concession stand.
19/20
Coyote Drive-In Theatre, Texas, USA
Coyote Drive-In theatre has four screens in a scenic backdrop showing single and double features. It has a large concession area that serves food and local brews. They also have good deals on their alcoholic beverages. The tickets for adults are $8, and the theatre is extremely dog friendly. It operates year-round and seven nights a week. Shows start at around 7:30 p.m. Coyote Drive-In has a large playground, and you can also book a private event with them through their website.
20/20
West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In, Arizona, USA
West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In screens the latest releases and blockbuster hits all night a week. With nine screens spread across a retro-style environment, it has got amazing food options and a flea market in the daytime. Tickets are sold at $8.50 per adult except on family nights (Tuesday) when the tickets are just $6. The Box Offices open one hour before showtimes on Fridays and Saturdays and 30 minutes before showtimes Sunday through Thursday.
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