Drive-in movie theaters boomed in the US in the 1950s and 60s, reaching a peak of over 4,000 screens in 1958. Drive-ins offered a cheaper alternative to indoor theaters, making them a popular family outing.
Traditionally, drive-in movies started after sunset to ensure optimal viewing conditions on the outdoor screen. And sun glare aside, I think we are all in agreement that watching movies in a darkly lit environment makes for a more immersive viewing experience!
Many drive-in theaters were open seasonally, usually during the summer months when the weather was best, and attendance was at its peak.
While you might not have been able to see a movie as often as an indoor theater, something was better than nothing, and its limited availability made it something that much more cherished when it returned.
So, what happens with the space used by drive-in theaters the rest of the year? Drive-in theaters sometimes served as venues for community events like concerts, sporting events, or graduations. Some drive-in theaters still in existence today, host swap meets, flea markets, or other events during the daytime when movies aren't showing.
Some drive-in theaters even hosted church events, essentially delivering a drive-in church service that you could enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle.
Some drive-ins hosted themed nights featuring movies of a specific genre like horror or classic films.
Drive-in theaters were a popular venue for horror and sci-fi movies, creating a unique atmosphere for these genres.
Drive-in theaters aren't exclusive to North America; they exist in countries like Germany and China. This photo was taken of the very first drive-in theater in Copenhagen.
Drive-ins have remained somewhat popular in Australia, particularly in rural areas. The vast distances and open spaces make them a convenient entertainment option for communities spread out over a large area.
Many drive-ins offered double features, showing two movies for the price of one, extending the entertainment value.
The "double feature" tradition sometimes led to audience members missing the beginning of the second movie if they arrived late for the first.
Drive-ins also became popular spots for teenagers, offering a social atmosphere and a place to hang out with friends.
Unlike indoor theaters, drive-ins offered the unique perk of enjoying the night sky while watching a movie.
Drive-ins often catered to families, featuring playgrounds or concession stands with classic snacks like popcorn and hotdogs. It was just like your regular theater with similar etiquette too.
Unwritten rules of drive-in etiquette include turning off headlights during the movie and keeping noise levels down to respect other viewers.
While certainly not as popular as drive-ins, fly-in theaters have also existed! In 1948, a former Navy pilot, Edward Brown Jr., built one of the first fly-in movie theater experiences on an airfield in New Jersey.
This idea spread to other parts of the East and into the mid-west. These shows would be accessible by both cars and planes.
The rise of home video rentals in the 1980s and 90s contributed to the decline of drive-in movie theaters.
Once families could enjoy movies from the comfort of their own homes, there were fewer reasons to watch them behind your car windshield.
The State Drive-In first flickered to life as a single-screen theater, but by November 18, 1966, it had undergone a significant transformation. Expanding to a twin-screen operation, the State Drive-In doubled its entertainment power.
Sadly, the final credits rolled for the State Drive-In on September 22, 1991. Today, the land it once occupied serves a very different purpose as a vehicle maintenance shop.
Built by Waters Theatres, the Skyvue Drive-In opened on August 18, 1949. It played the film Unknown Island with Virginia Grey. Martin Theatres owned the theater in Dothan, Alabama.
The location eventually closed in 1983 and was demolished by the late ‘80s. All that remains of it today are ruins overgrown with trees and weeds.
Rubidoux Drive-In of Rubidoux, California, still operates today. It regularly hosts swap meets, concerts and other live events, along with drive-in theater playing the latest Hollywood has to offer.
Originally, Rubidoux was a single-screen 690-car drive-in in 1948 that was remodeled in the mid-'50s and again in the ‘80s. Today, it has been modernized with the latest technology but still retains that nostalgic drive-in experience.
Mel’s Drive-In hosts movie nights on select Sundays each month where you can catch classic crowd-pleasers like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Grease, Jaws, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Founded in 1947, the Mel's Drive-In restaurant chain is closely associated with the film American Graffiti in which one of the diners was featured in the movie. The restaurant is mostly called a “drive-in” because they serve food to your car.
Maple Drive-In, originally opened in 1953, operated in Pennsylvania until 2003. It is now an auto dealership.
While there are fewer drive-ins than ever before, there's been a slight resurgence in popularity. In addition to being a more affordable community experience, drive-ins have offered a safer movie-going option during pandemics as they allow for improved social distancing.
