This is a list of drive-in theaters. A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view films from the privacy and comfort of their cars.
This list includes active and defunct drive-in theaters.
Drive-in theatres
Australia
About 330 drive-in theatres were established in Australia, following the Skyline, established in 1954 in Melbourne.
Canada
- Polson Pier, in Toronto, Ontario
United States
The first drive-in was opened in 1933 in New Jersey. In 2017 there exist about 330 operating drive-in theaters in the United States, down from a peak of about 4,000 in the late 1950’s. At least six are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Notable U.S. examples include:
- King Drive-In (1949), in Russellville, Alabama
- Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with 14 screens, is the largest drive-in theatre in the world. It doubles as the world's largest daily flea market.
- Silvermoon Drive-in (1948), in Lakeland, Florida
- Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater, in Trenton, Georgia
- Spud Drive-In Theater (1953), between Victor and Driggs, Idaho. Features a giant potato; was still operating in 2011. NRHP-listed.
- Midway Drive-In (1950), in Sterling, Illinois
- Mendon Twin Drive-In (1954), Mendon, Massachusetts. Two screens since 1998.
- Wellfleet Drive-In Theater (1957), in Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Has an indoor cinema as well.
- Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre & Diner (1953), in Honor, Michigan
- Beverly Drive-In Theatre (1948), in Forrest County, Mississippi, operated regularly until 1987 and then for special events. Damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it was then the oldest drive-in operating in Mississippi. Destroyed by fire in 2010. NRHP-listed.
- 66 Drive-In (1949), on U.S. Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, operated until 1985, reopened in 1998. NRHP-listed.
- Route 35 Drive-In (1956), in Hazlet, New Jersey. Closed 1991.
- Midway Drive-In (1955), in Ravenna, Ohio. Second screen added in 1990s.
- Boulevard Drive-In Theater (1949), Allentown, Pennsylvania, closed 1985
- Cumberland Drive-In (1952), Newville, Pennsylvania
- Brazos Drive In (1952), Granbury, Texas
- Midway Drive-In (Texas) (1955), between Turkey and Quitaque, Texas. Closed in 1980s, reopened intermittently up to 2011.
- Moonlite Theatre (1949), in Abingdon, Virginia. Closed 2013, reopened 2016. NRHP-listed.
- Hull's Drive In (1950), Lexington, Virginia. Asserted to be the only not-for-profit drive-in theater in the U.S.
- Family Drive-In Theatre (1956), Stephens City, Virginia
See also
- Mobmov, mobile, drive-up, movie theatre
- Drive-in theater Revival, for other guerrilla drive in operations
References
External links
- Drive-Ins.com theater search
- Driveinmovie.com
- Media related to Drive-in theaters at Wikimedia Commons
