List of drive-in theaters

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.

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Drive-in theatres

The welcome screen at Cumberland Drive-In, Newville, Pennsylvania

Australia

About 330 drive-in theatres were established in Australia, following the Skyline, established in 1954 in Melbourne.

Canada

Polson Pier, in Toronto, Ontario
Starlight, in Enderby, British Columbia

United States

The first drive-in was opened in 1933 in New Jersey.^[1] 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.^[2] 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^[3]
Spud Drive-In Theater (1953), between Victor and Driggs, Idaho. Features a giant potato; was still operating in 2011.^[4] NRHP-listed.
Midway Drive-In (1950), in Sterling, Illinois
Kanopolis Drive-in Theatre (1952), Kanopolis, Kansas
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^[5]
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.^[6] NRHP-listed.
66 Drive-In (1949), on U.S. Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, operated until 1985, reopened in 1998.^[7]^[8] 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^[9]
Cumberland Drive-In (1952), Newville, Pennsylvania
Brazos Drive In (1952), Granbury, Texas^[10]
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
Skyview Drive-In (1950), Litchfield, Illinois

References

^ Miriam Porter (April 11, 2016). "Visit these Canadian Drive In Theatres while you still can".
^ Leigh Lumford. "There Are 338 Drive-In Theaters Left in America — Here's Where to Find Them".
^ Courter, Barry (August 17, 2013). "Digital conversion may kill drive-in theaters". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Horne, Rachel (May 19, 2011). "The Spud closes after 58 years". Teton Valley News. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
^ Ellison, Garret (September 12, 2013). "Cherry Bowl Drive-In Movie Theater in Honor Wins digital Projection System from Honda". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^ "Beverly Drive-In burns to ground". Hattiesburgamerican.com. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "66 Drive-In, Carthage, Missouri". NPS.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
^ Bleiberg, Larry (October 15, 2013). "10 great drive-in movie theaters". USA Today. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Shope, Dan (June 26, 1998). "Nursing Home Planned For Drive-in Site". The Morning Call. Retrieved February 28, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Brazos Drive In website; accessed August 6, 2014.

External links

Drive-Ins.com theater search
Driveinmovie.com
Media related to Drive-in theaters at Wikimedia Commons

[Porter-1] Miriam Porter (April 11, 2016). "Visit these Canadian Drive In Theatres while you still can".

[2] Leigh Lumford. "There Are 338 Drive-In Theaters Left in America — Here's Where to Find Them".

[3] Courter, Barry (August 17, 2013). "Digital conversion may kill drive-in theaters". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[4] Horne, Rachel (May 19, 2011). "The Spud closes after 58 years". Teton Valley News. Retrieved May 19, 2011.

[5] Ellison, Garret (September 12, 2013). "Cherry Bowl Drive-In Movie Theater in Honor Wins digital Projection System from Honda". MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved September 23, 2013.

[6] "Beverly Drive-In burns to ground". Hattiesburgamerican.com. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[7] "66 Drive-In, Carthage, Missouri". NPS.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2014.

[USAToday-8] Bleiberg, Larry (October 15, 2013). "10 great drive-in movie theaters". USA Today. Retrieved June 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[9] Shope, Dan (June 26, 1998). "Nursing Home Planned For Drive-in Site". The Morning Call. Retrieved February 28, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[10] Brazos Drive In website; accessed August 6, 2014.

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