To most, drive-in movie theaters are a relic from ancient history, but enjoying summer nights under the stars while movies play on the projector doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. Today may be national Drive-In Movie Theater Day, but any summer night can be one to experience this phenomenon with the family.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the first drive-in theaters opened in the early 1930s and, to this day, several hundred of the apparently forgotten theaters still exist, showing family-friendly movies.
According to the National Association of Theater Owners, 321 drive-in sites existed in 2018 — there was once a total of 5,803 across the United States.
With this many drive-ins, it is likely there is one within proximity, no matter where you are.
Drive-in Movie Theater. Photo: Joe Sohm | Dreamstime.com
On the East Coast, near Philadelphia in particular, families can see an evening of movies at Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre. This is the oldest and longest continually operated drive-in in the United States. It opened in 1934 and continues to offer adult tickets for $10. Typically, this includes admission and two movies.
To find the closest drive-in for your next family outing, visit driveinmovie.com. Even if you reside in one of the few states where drive-ins are totally extinct, you can probably cross state lines to find an accessible theater.
Before heading to the theater, there are a few details you should know.
Most theaters stick to a specific itinerary for each night and are only open on weekend evenings. Check which movies are playing and, if the theater has multiple screens, it is likely each screen will offer a different selection of movies. Pre-plan which movies you want to see before heading out — avoid the last-minute confusion or debate about what to see.
Bring cash. Many drive-in movie theaters only deal in cash, so showing up with plastic as your only method of payment could go poorly.
Finally, make sure you know when the movies start. Movie theater websites will list this readily, but know these are approximate times. Films can start a bit early or later than planned.
You’ll want to arrive with enough time to settle in, get snacks and get through the box office line. Because of the nature of drive-in theaters, you need to get there early enough to get a good spot and get ready for the show.
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