Drive-in theater facts for kids
A drive-in theater or drive-in cinema is a special kind of movie theater. It has a very large outdoor screen, a place for the projector, a snack bar, and a big parking lot. People watch movies from the comfort and privacy of their own cars. Some drive-ins even have small playgrounds for kids or picnic tables.
The screen can be a simple white wall or a strong metal structure. At first, the movie sound came from speakers near the screen. Later, small speakers hung from poles that you could attach to your car window. Now, the sound is usually sent to your car radio. This lets you hear the movie in stereo, which sounds much better.
History of Drive-Ins
Early Days (Before the 1940s)
One of the first places to show movies to people in cars was the Theatre de Guadalupe in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1915. It had space for over 40 cars to park and watch the show.
In 1921, Claude V. Caver showed silent films to people in their cars in Comanche, Texas. Outdoor movies became popular in the summer, but it was tricky to set up "drive-in" shows.
The idea for the modern drive-in theater was patented by Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. in Camden, New Jersey. In 1932, he tested his idea in his own driveway. He nailed a screen to trees, used a projector on his car's hood, and put a radio behind the screen for sound. He figured out how to arrange cars so everyone could see. Hollingshead got his patent on May 16, 1933.
Hollingshead's first drive-in opened on June 6, 1933, in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. It had space for 400 cars and a screen about 40 by 50 feet. His slogan was, "The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are." The first movie shown was Wives Beware.
Early drive-ins had trouble with sound. The first one had speakers on the screen tower, which caused a delay for cars far away. In 1941, RCA introduced speakers that you could hang inside your car. These had individual volume controls and solved the sound problems. Just before World War II, a theater owner named Philip Smith ran many drive-ins. He made them family-friendly by letting children in for free and building playgrounds.
Golden Age (Late 1940s–1960s)
After 1945, more people owned cars and moved to suburbs. This led to a huge growth in drive-in theaters. By 1951, there were over 4,000 drive-ins in the United States.
Drive-ins were most popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, especially in country areas. They were often cheaper than indoor cinemas. It cost less to build and run a drive-in, so tickets were more affordable. A big advantage was that parents could bring their babies and young children without worrying about disturbing others. Young people also found drive-ins great for dates because they offered more privacy.
Drive-ins were known as family-friendly places. Parents could bring their kids, often in pajamas, and spend time together without needing babysitters. Drive-ins offered things like bottle warmers and diaper machines. Some even had miniature golf, swimming pools, or motels where you could watch the movie from your bed! During the 1950s, the privacy at drive-ins gave them a reputation as a popular spot for young couples. The 1978 movie Grease shows a drive-in as a favorite place for dates. This shows how drive-ins were a big part of North American pop culture, combining people's love for cars and movies.
To attract more people, some drive-ins used fun tricks. They had drawings for prizes, free entry, or even small airplane runways for flights. Some had petting zoos or monkeys! Actors would sometimes appear to introduce their movies, or bands would play before the show. Some drive-ins even held Sunday church services. On "bargain nights," admission might be just one dollar per car.
One of the largest drive-in theaters was the Johnny All-Weather Drive-In in Copiague, New York. It covered over 29 acres and could hold 2,500 cars. It had a restaurant and a trolley to take people to a playground. The largest in the world was Loew's Open Air in Lynn, Massachusetts, which could hold 5,000 cars.
Decline (1970s–1990s)
Several things caused drive-in movies to become less popular. In the late 1960s, home entertainment got better with color television and cable TV. Then, in the early 1980s, VCRs and video rentals arrived, letting families watch movies at home. Also, the 1970s energy crisis meant people drove less, and daylight saving time made movies start an hour later. This made it harder for drive-ins to make money.
With cable TV, VCRs, and later DVDs and streaming, families could enjoy movies easily at home. This new technology gave people more choices for watching movies.
Drive-ins often showed "B movies" or films that weren't top hits. Also, the fees to rent movies were going up, and movie companies wanted drive-ins to show films for longer periods. These problems made it hard for drive-ins to compete with indoor cinemas.
The rising cost of land in the late 1970s and early 1980s also hurt drive-ins. The large areas of land they used became very expensive. Many drive-ins only opened on weekends or during spring and summer. Bad weather could also mean fewer people or canceled shows. By the late 1980s, fewer than 200 drive-ins were left in the United States and Canada.
Many old drive-ins also needed to update their facilities. Owners often didn't want to spend more money, especially with land prices going up. As towns grew, it became difficult and costly to keep such big properties.
Many former drive-in sites are now used for other things, like storage or flea markets. Some have become shopping centers, industrial parks, or even churches. For example, the South City Drive-In in Philadelphia is now part of the Xfinity Live! Philadelphia area.
Comeback and New Ideas (Late 1990s–2000s)
From the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, the remaining drive-ins became a bit of a special, old-fashioned treat. They appealed to people who felt a sense of nostalgia for the past. This "retro" appeal led to a small comeback by the end of the 1990s.
This new interest led to "do-it-yourself" drive-ins starting in 2001. These used modern tools like LCD projectors and small radio transmitters. The first was the Liberation Drive-In in Oakland, California. It used empty parking lots in the city. Later, "guerrilla drive-in" groups started. These groups of people would set up outdoor movie showings. They often planned online and met at places like bridge pillars or warehouses to project films. These shows often featured independent films or cult movies.
A newer idea is the "boutique" drive-in. These are smaller, usually for 30 to 50 cars, and often have food trucks for snacks. They usually show popular new movies and classic films. A key part of these drive-ins is their focus on a "vintage" or old-fashioned look.
When Hull's Drive-In in Lexington, Virginia, was about to close in 1999, a group called Hull's Angels raised money to buy it. They now run it as a nonprofit theater, showing family-friendly films. Hull's is the only nonprofit drive-in in the country.
By 2006, about 500 drive-in theaters were open in the United States. This was the highest number since the mid-1970s. Drive-ins also saw a comeback in Canada and Australia in the early 2000s.
Today and Digital Changes (Late 2000s Onwards)
In the late 2000s, drive-ins faced another decline due to rising oil prices and a weaker economy. Fewer people driving and more people moving out of suburbs also put drive-ins at risk. By 2013, drive-ins made up only 1.5% of all movie screens in the U.S. Most were in the South and on the West Coast.
The switch from film to digital movies also created problems for drive-ins. Most small drive-ins couldn't afford the expensive digital projectors (starting at $70,000 per screen). It's also harder to justify the cost when they don't sell as many tickets as indoor theaters. Digital projectors for drive-ins need stronger bulbs and special changes to the projection booth.
Some drive-ins are now using huge digital screens like Jumbotrons. This avoids the need for a projector booth entirely.
The move to digital caused many drive-ins to close. However, by October 2019, the number of operating drive-ins rose to 305. This was partly because of more small "boutique" drive-ins that never used traditional projectors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-in theaters saw a big increase in visitors in many U.S. states. Unlike indoor theaters, which had to close due to rules about large gatherings, drive-ins could stay open. People were naturally separated by their cars, and there was usually enough space to walk around safely. Drive-ins even hosted events like graduations.
The largest drive-in theater in the world is the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop (opened 1963). It is also the world's largest daily flea market.
The Drive-In Experience Now (Since 2020)
There is a new interest in drive-in theaters among movie fans in North America. This was very clear from 2020 to 2022. In 2021, drive-in theaters in North America made up 85 to 95 percent of movie ticket sales, according to CNN. The article also says that the new drive-in experience is becoming popular in other countries too, like the United Kingdom.
New drive-in theaters are opening in North America and plan to stay in business and grow. Some owners believe drive-ins will bring back the outdoor movie experience for a long time. Some future drive-ins will use electronic screens to show films. This means moviegoers can go to drive-ins at any time, not just after dark. Just like a TV at home, the new drive-in screens don't need darkness.
One example is the LoCo Drive-In, which will also host car shows and other events. Another is the Drive-In Experience Ottawa, which opened in 2020. It has two locations in Ottawa and hosts movie nights, comedy shows, concerts, graduations, and weddings. It provides the screen, wireless in-car FM sound, and a stage. The company believes this community approach will keep the drive-in alive. The Ottawa Business Journal also wrote that local businesses can host private movie nights or shows. Drive-ins can even be used for yoga and fitness classes. The director of the Drive-In Experience Ottawa wants to help communities connect and host big weekly events. Other drive-ins in Ontario and other provinces are also expanding to host live concerts and community events, including religious gatherings, while still offering family movie experiences.
Drive-In Theaters Around the World
Australia
Drive-in theaters also became popular in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s. The Hoyts Skyline in Melbourne was Australia's first drive-in, opening in 1954. It was a success, and four more opened that year. At their peak in the mid-1960s, there were about 330 drive-ins in Australia. As of May 2023, only 12 drive-ins are regularly open, with three more opening sometimes.
The world's most remote drive-in might be in Coober Pedy, South Australia. It opened in 1965 but became less popular after TV arrived in 1980. It stopped regular shows in 1984 but reopened in 1996. Volunteers have run it since 2000. It is still open as of May 2023 and is the last drive-in in South Australia. Because opal miners sometimes carry explosives, the drive-in has a rule against bringing explosives onto the site. In November 2023, strong winds destroyed the screen, but volunteers hope to rebuild it.
Germany
Germany's first drive-in theater, the Gravenbruch, opened in April 1960 near Frankfurt. It showed the film The King and I. At that time, the only other drive-ins in Europe were in Rome, Italy, and Madrid, Spain.
Greece
In 1919, Athens, Greece, opened its first outdoor theater. This led to drive-in theaters becoming popular in the 1970s. Greece's first drive-in theater started being built in 1960 near Varibobi, a suburb of Athens. Today, viewers can enjoy classic movie snacks like popcorn or Greek snacks like grilled calamari and souvlaki.
Iran
In 2020, Iran showed its first drive-in film, Exodus, during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the country had one before 1979.
Italy
The first drive-in theater in Europe opened in Rome in 1954.
Philippines
The shopping mall chain SM Supermalls in the Philippines opened the country's first drive-in theater near SM City Pampanga on July 31, 2020. They also opened a temporary one at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds in September 2020. Currently, there are two SM Supermalls drive-in locations.
Spain
The first drive-in theater in Spain opened in Madrid in 1958. It was called Motercine and was located near Barajas Airport.
See also
In Spanish: Autocine para niños
- Effects of the car on societies
- List of drive-in theaters
- Outdoor cinema
- Inflatable movie screen
Images for kids
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The Sandell Theater in Clarendon, Texas, closed in 1984 but reopened in 2002.
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A snack bar advertisement shown at a drive-in.
