With the summer season upon us, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the coolest drive-in movie theaters in the country.
Luckily, the United States is full of amazing ones that will let you check out the hottest films or your favorite classics on some seriously big screens in a gorgeous outdoor setting.
Check them out below!
28. Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre
Location: Oak Harbor, Washington
This long-running outdoor theater is one of the beloved hidden gems of Whidbey Island. Its parking spots fan the field; this means there will be no bad seat in the house.
27. Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
In addition to first-run movies nightly on three screens, they also served dinner and traditional drive-in snacks in their spacious and unique 1950s-themed café.
26. Stardust Drive-In
Location: Watertown, Tennessee
Just a 30-minute drive outside the Music City, Stardust Drive-In was the first theater in middle Tennessee to feature Barco Digital projection technology. They also offer full concessions and shows go on, rain or shine.
25. Galaxy Drive-In Theatre
Location: Ennis, Texas
Unlike most old-school drive-ins, you will no longer have to line up as it allows customers to buy their tickets online ahead of time. And as you enjoy first-run flicks, you can also binge on tasty foods and snacks like Dippin’ Dots.
24. Rodeo Drive-In Theatre
Location: Bremerton, Washington
This is not like your other drive-in movie theaters. It features three screens rather than just a single screen. And each of the screens sits in the corners of the rectangular field outlined by huge trees.
23. Midway Drive-In Theatre
Location: Minetto, New York
It opened for business in 1948, making it the oldest operating drive-in in New York State, and Central New York’s last standing theater. It’s famous for its triple features nearly every weekend.
22. Falconwood Park Drive-In
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Falconwood is the last drive-in in the metro area of Omaha. They screen new and old films, and the moviegoers can enjoy some snacks from its food truck and bar. It also has a park that offers sand volleyball and badminton. There’s also a vintage Ferris wheel and rustic lodge.
21. Wheel-In Motor Movie
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Built in 1965, this drive-in is a bit smaller compared to other venues scattered all over Washington. But you will love how it makes the whole experience intimate.
20. Ford Wyoming Drive-In
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Did you know that Ford Wyoming Drive-In is the largest theater in the world? It can actually host five screens and up to 3,000 cars on any given night. Plus, the showings are always double features.
19. Four Brothers Drive-In
Location: Amenia, New York
Four Brothers Drive-In opened in upstate New York in 2015, and it redefined what a drive-in can be by mixing modern amenities with retro touches.
18. Admiral Twin Drive-In
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
If you’re planning to drop by Admiral Twin Drive-In, make sure to arrive early since they experience long queues as they only show movies on the weekends.
17. Coyote Drive-In
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
In addition to its four screens, you’ll also have the downtown Fort Worth as your backdrop, so it’s quite the view. But that’s not all. You can drop by The Coyote Canteen, which features an extensive menu of pizza, hot dogs, and a lot more irresistible grubs.
16. The Mahoning Drive-In Theater
Location: Lehighton, Pennsylvania
The Mahoning lives with their tagline, “where film never dies.” Instead of showing first-run flicks, they are doing weekend-long themed festivals.
15. Wellfleet Drive-In Theater
Location: Wellfleet, Massachusetts
It is the only drive-in theater in the Cape Cod area, and it has been open, serving film enthusiasts, ever since the late 1950s.
14. Bengies Drive-In Theatre
Location: Middle River, Maryland
Besides being the home of the biggest movie screen in the country, Bengies Drive-In Theatre also offers third length films for the late-night crowd at a lower price on Fridays and Saturdays.
13. Skyline Drive-In Theater
Location: Shelton, Washington
This family-friendly drive-in movie theater has been drawing film enthusiasts ever since 1964. However, take note that the Skyline Drive-In Theater is seasonal. It usually opens at the end of March and closes at the end of September.
12. Shankweiler’s Drive-In
Location: Orefield, Pennsylvania
It is the oldest continually operating drive-in theater in Orefield, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1934 and survived a lot of harsh occasions like Hurricane Diane in 1955.
11. Lakeport Auto Movies
Location: Lakeport, California
Just in case you find yourself in the Lake County area of Northern California, make sure to drop by Lakeport’s Drive-In movie theater and enjoy family-friendly feature films, buttery popcorn, and beautiful sunsets.
10. Auto-Vue Drive-In Theatre
Location: Colville, Washington
This drive-in movie theater is one of a kind. It is located in a small field, and its screen stands in front of the stunning rolling hills surrounding the area.
9. Hull’s Drive-In
Location: Lexington, Virginia
It became the world’s first non-profit movie theater and continues to be run by a mix of paid staff and Hull’s volunteers.
8. Greenville Drive-In Outdoor Cinema
Location: Greenville, New York
Greenville Drive-In opened in 1959, but it has since evolved through time. But still, the double features focus on the ’80s and ’90s films like Dirty Dancing, Footloose, Office Space, and the likes. They also sell locally sourced foods, while the Projectionists’ Beer Garden serves local brews.
7. The Swap Shop
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Swap Shop has the most screens of any drive-in theater in the country. It boasts a whopping 14 screens. It’s also the biggest drive-in in the world.
6. Delsea Drive-In Theater
Location: Vineland, New Jersey
Delsea Drive-In Theater has been famous for its food menu that goes far beyond popcorn and candy. It has menu options like the chicken cheesesteak, teriyaki chicken, and even an entire gluten-free menu.
5. Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In
Location: Gibson City, Illinois
What makes Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In special is that it’s the first and probably the only drive-in theater powered by wind turbines. It also takes other environmentally-friendly measures seriously, like using LED lighting and recycled materials.
4. Monetta Drive-In
Location: Monetta, South Carolina
It has been famous for its signature giant peach, which serves as a nod to the state’s famous fruit and gives the venue extra points as a roadside attraction.
3. Valle Drive-In Theatre
Location: Newton, Iowa
Established in the late 1940s, Valle Drive-In Theatre is Iowa’s oldest drive-in movie theater. You will even see some antique relics that have been thoughtfully preserved in the venue.
2. 25 Drive-In
Location: Greenwood, South Carolina
25 Drive-In will soon be celebrating its 75th anniversary. It’s no longer a surprise when the drive-in has been through a series of changes like adding a third screen and a patio near the concession stand.
1. Coleman’s Motor-Vu Drive-In
Location: Riverdale, Utah
In addition to enjoying movies, which play daily, Coleman’s Motor-Vu Drive-In also hosts a swap meet every Saturday and Sunday morning all through the year with a variety of sellers.
If you haven’t gotten to experience any of these drive-in movie theaters, you are seriously missing out.