Drive-in movies are back! There’s no better way to catch a new or old film on the big screen from the privacy of your vehicle. And the South is crawling with these theaters now finding new life. Check out one in a town near you!
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Alabama
411 Twin Drive In, Centre
The 411 Drive-In is near the Coosa River, across from Fort Payne and the Georgia state line. It’s open year-round on weekends and nightly during summer months. Two double features are offered for $15 per carload. Cash only is accepted at the gate, but credit and debit are options at concessions.
Blue Moon Drive-In Theater, Guin
Blue Moon Drive-In is near the Mississippi state line and has two screens for double features of first-run films. Admission is $7 per adult and $4 per child. Tickets and reserved parking can be purchased online.
Grand River Drive-In & The Backyard, Leeds
Located outside of Birmingham, Grand River Drive-In has an adjoining outlet mall, playgrounds, mini-golf, and concessions, along with new movies. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children, and free for children under 4.
Arkansas
Kenda Drive-In, Marshall
Located north of Little Rock, Kenda Drive In dates back to 1965 and operates seasonally on weekends. Films are a mix of new and classics. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children.
Stone Drive-In Theatre, Mountain View
Stone Drive-In operates in the town of Mountain View seasonally on weekends. It features second run and classic films, including family-friendly showings.
Florida
Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop, Dade City
Joy Lan Drive-In is a local institution dating back over 50 years, located north of Tampa. During summer months, it has first-run and classic movies nightly. There’s a concession stand and admission is $6 for adults. On Sundays they have a flea market.
Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre, Lakeland
Owned by the same company as Joy-Lan, Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland also dates back over 70 years. Admission is $6 for adults and includes classic and first-run films.
Ocala Drive-In, Ocala
Ocala Drive-In is open nightly for double features on two screens. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. They play new run indie films as well as classic films.
Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre, Ruskin
Rustin Family Drive-In, across the bay from St. Petersburg, has been in operation since 1952 year-round. There’s one screen playing second-run films and a snack bar. They only take cash.
Georgia
Starlight Six Drive-In, Atlanta
Starlight Six Drive-In is one of Atlanta‘s most beloved traditions, open since 1949. They have multiple screens for double features of new and second-run films. Admission is $10 for adults.
Swan Drive-In, Blue Ridge
Located right outside of Blue Ridge, this drive-in is tucked into the woods, making for the perfect viewing experience. They’re open on weekends for double features on the single screen. Open since 1955, both classic and new run films are offered. It’s also cash only.
Jesup Drive-In Theatre, Jesup
Jesup Drive-In is located north of the Golden Isles, dating back to 1948. Tickets are $5 per person for the first-run films, which can be bought online in advance.
Tiger Drive-In Theatre, Tiger
Another North Georgia drive-in, the Tiger Drive-In is a short drive from the wine region. In addition to the first-run and classic movies, they have a campground and vintage trailer rentals.
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater, Trenton
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater is not far from Cloudland Canyon and offers first-run films on two screens. Admission is $7, and only cash is accepted.
Kentucky
Calvert Drive-In, Calvert City
Calvert Drive-In plays first-run films under the stars near Land Between the Lakes. There’s also a full concessions area.
Skyline Drive-In, Greensburg
Located east of Bowling Green, Skyline Drive-In offers first-run films for only $7.50 per adult and $4.50 per child on weekends. There are also concessions available for purchase.
Sauerbeck Family Drive-In, La Grange
Sauerbeck Family Drive-In is set north of Louisville and offers double features of classic and first-run films. Concessions can be ordered in advance on their website.
Bourbon Drive-In Theatre, Paris
Family-owned and operated since 1955, the Bourbon Drive-In Theatre offers concessions and family fun. It’s cash only and costs $8 for adults and $3 for kids.
Stanford Drive-In Theater, Stanford
Stanford Drive-In offers films on weekends south of Lexington and has been in operation since 1952. Admission is $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children.
Mississippi
Iuka Drive-In Theatre, Iuka
Iuka Drive-In in northeast Mississippi is the only remaining drive-in in the state. Admission is $9 for adults and free for children under age 12.
North Carolina
Badin Road Drive-In Theater, Albemarle
Set in a small town east of Charlotte, the Badin Road Drive-In has first-run movies on its two screens. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Eden Drive-In, Eden
Eden Drive-In has second-run films on one screen near the Virginia border. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. A snack bar is also available.
Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre, Henderson
Raleigh Road Drive-In, north of Durham, is open 7 days a week for classic and first-run films. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. There’s also a concession stand.
South Carolina
Highway 21 Drive-In, Beaufort
Highway 21 Drive-In in Beaufort plays classic and first-run films. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, and $3 for children.
25 Drive-In Auto Theatre, Greenwood
25 Drive-In has been open for over 75 years outside of Columbia. Three screens showcase triple features of new films. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Monetta Drive-In Theatre, Monetta
Monetta Drive-In, nicknamed “The Big Mo,” is open seasonally on weekends for double features. Located between Columbia and Augusta, the theater opened in 1951 and reopened after a full rebuild in 1999.
Tennessee
Swingin’ Midway Drive-In, Athens
Swingin Midway Drive-In is on the outskirts of the Nantahala National Forest, midway between Athens and Etowah. First-run films played on weekends. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Twin City Drive-In Theatre, Bristol
Twin City Drive-In is located across the border from Southwest Virginia and dates back to 1949. The original screen was destroyed by a storm in 1977, but was rebuilt. In addition to showing films, it operates as a campground during races at the nearby motor speedway.
Birdsong Drive-In Theater, Camden
Birdsong Drive-In is between Nashville and Memphis. It operates on weekends, showing classic films. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children.
State Line Drive-In, Elizabethton
Open since 1947 outside of Johnson City, the State Line Drive-In operates on weekends during the summer months. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children.
Macon Drive-In, Lafayette
Macon Drive-In, north of Nashville, has two new release films every weekend as it has for over 50 years. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children.
Hi-Way 50 Drive-in, Lewisburg
Hi-Way 50 Drive-In is located south of Franklin offers new films on its outdoor screens. Open since 1949, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Parkway Drive-In Theatre, Maryville
Tucked into a quiet corner of the Smokies, Parkway Drive-In has double features of first and second-run films. Admission prices vary for the double features, depending on the day.
Sparta Drive-In, Sparta
Located between Nashville and Knoxville, Sparta Drive-In is open on weekends for first-run films. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Radios are also available for rent.
Montana Drive-In, Tullahoma
Opened in 2004, the Montana Drive-In showcases new films south of Nashville. The drive-in is open daily. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children.
Stardust Drive-In Theatre, Watertown
Stardust Drive-In is between Nashville and Cookeville and plays double features on two screens. Both classic and new films are featured. Admission is $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for children.
Virginia
Goochland Drive-In Theater, Hadensville
Located between Richmond and Charlottesville, the Goochland Drive-In plays new and classic films for double and single features. Admission starts at $18 per carload.
Hull’s Drive-In, Lexington
Open since 1950, Hull’s Drive-In is a community-owned non-profit theater. Admission is $10 for single features and $20 for double features of new films.
Park Place Drive-In, Marion
Park Place Drive-In in southwestern Virginia plays first-run films on weekends. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children. There’s also mini-golf and an ice cream shop.
Central Drive-In Theatre, Norton
A few miles away is the Central Drive-In, which plays first-run double feature films. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for kids, as well as free for children under 4.
The Family Drive-In Theatre, Stephens City
The Family Drive-In is located in northern Virginia near Washington DC. They play new and classic films for double features. Admission is $9 for adult double features and $4 for children.
Have you been to any of these? Which one is your favorite?
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