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 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.

United States

The first drive-in was opened in 1933 in New Jersey. As of 2017 there are around 330 operating drive-in theaters in the United States, down from a peak of around 4,000 in the late 1950s. At least six are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Notable U.S. examples include:
NameCityStateFoundedDefunctRemarksReference
66 Drive-InCarthage on U.S. Route 66Missouri1949
Bengie'sMiddle RiverMaryland1956
Beverly Drive-In TheatreForrest CountyMississippi19482010
Boulevard Drive-In TheaterAllentownPennsylvania19491985
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre & DinerHonorMichigan1953
Cumberland Drive-InNewvillePennsylvania1952
Family Drive-In TheatreStephens CityVirginia1956
Fort Lauderdale Swap ShopFort LauderdaleFlorida196314 screens
Hull's Drive InLexingtonVirginia1950
Kanopolis Drive-in TheatreKanopolisKansas1952
King Drive-InRussellvilleAlabama1949
Mendon Twin Drive-InMendonMassachusetts1954
Midway Drive-InSterlingIllinois1950
Midway Drive-InRavennaOhio1955
Midway Drive-InQuitaqueTexas19552011
Moonlite TheatreAbingdonVirginia19492013
Route 35 Drive-InHazletNew Jersey19561991
Shankweiler's Drive-In TheatreOrefieldPennsylvania1934
Silvermoon Drive-inLakelandFlorida1948
Spud Drive-In TheaterDriggsIdaho1953Features a giant potato
Wellfleet Drive-In TheaterWellfleetMassachusetts1957
Wilderness Outdoor Movie TheaterTrentonGeorgia2005

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