Some of the earliest drive-in theaters date back to the early 1900s, but their true reign in American culture peaked from the 1940s through the 1960s. A drive-in movie theater consists of a large parking lot or field, a large outdoor screen or projector, and some form of concessions stand. Drive-ins provided a unique movie-watching experience from the comfort of one’s car, and allowed for ultimate privacy. The true push for drive-in movie theaters came from the boom of car sales after wartime. The cost to maintain such a property was less than the cost to run an indoor movie theater, which, in turn, allowed for ticket prices to be greatly cheaper than the alternative, thus drawing younger audiences and families.

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The nostalgia for drive-in theaters isn’t few and far between, and many states host “summer drive-ins” during the warmer months as a nod to the old days. Some of the most popular drive-ins still, in fact, exist today in States in the U.S.’s mid-west. What’s more, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, effectively rendering in-theater screenings unsafe, drive-ins became the go-to form of exhibition. Variety reports that Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, the only film released in the middle of 2020 lockdowns, became available only at drive-in theaters across the country. Though Nolan had no say in Tenet’s release, and though the decision was greatly criticized by many, including George Clooney, what’s significant is how the drive-in became the industry’s sort of saving grace in terms of theatrical exhibition.

Today, drive-in experiences can range from something as simple as a rooftop viewing to a much more creative endeavor, such as watching Jaws while floating on a body of water. Although a trip to a drive-in theater is more of a novelty than a weekend event, this form of movie-viewing is an important part of cinematic history, and deserves to be recognized as such.

Concessions and Classics

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According to the New York Film Academy, the first patented drive-in was opened in New Jersey by a man named Richard Hollingshead in 1910. His motivation was spawned by the idea of creating a movie experience suitable for everyone. States throughout the country began to adopt Hollingshead’s idea and suddenly drive-ins were a staple activity for everyone to enjoy. By the 1950s the largely celebrated Friday night event, grew into a phenomenon, especially in rural areas far from the city. The boom of automobiles and car ownership was the reason the drive-in thrived. Families could bring young kids or infants, and not have to worry about interrupting other movie goers or having to leave a busy theater. Young couples made drive-ins the popular spot for dates because of the privacy a car would allow. However, the ultimate privacy a car allowed would later become a huge factor in why drive-ins started to get a bad reputation.

By the 1960s, concession stands became a widely popular feature of drive-in theaters. Like cinemas, these theaters would offer a variety of concessions ranging from popcorn to hot dogs. There was something for everyone, and theater owners saw an extra spike in revenue. Most drive-ins had commercial breaks, where images of dancing snacks and sodas would sing about all the great treats at the concession stand. Today, the thought of a commercial break during a theater experience seems completely insane, but years ago, it was to be expected.

Attack of the In-home Television

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With the explosion of television sales from the 1950s through the 1970s, most families across the country were inviting media into their living rooms. Cable television and the emergence of VHS tapes in the early 80s made the convenience of home movie-viewing all the more alluring. The appeal of the drive-in theater dwindled over time. Now, instead of sitting in your car, you had the option of watching from the comfort of your couch. Land developers were looking to capitalize on population spikes and the appearance of large scale shopping malls. The once car packed fields and open lots became housing developments, and the overall space for drive-ins was diminished. By the late 90s, the idea of not owning a TV was archaic, and in-mall theaters were convenient to teens and shoppers alike. Being in a packed theater with surround sound was the new Friday night out, and no more were the days of small speakers hanging on cars.

Reanimation Across the Nation

     Alamo Drafthouse

If we can learn anything from pop culture and society, it is that the past never truly dies. Fads, fashion pieces, and even forms of media all see a resurgence at some point or another. During the pandemic, as previously mentioned, drive-in theaters started popping up all over the country. The experience offered a way to communally watch movies while maintaining social distance. Families itching to get out of the house and have some semblance of normalcy were given the ability to relive one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Drive-ins can still be found throughout the country in some of the most unlikely of places. The oldest surviving theater is the Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater in Pennsylvania which dates back to 1933. Cars still line-up and park at Shankweiler’s every season. The Alamo Drafthouse, a Brooklyn theater, introduces “Jaws on the Water” during the summer months. Guests can watch Jaws drive-in style, but floating on tubes in the water, adding an entirely elevated element of horror to the Steven Spielberg classic. Nostalgia for the past creeps in silently, and with each passing generation comes a new relic to add to the pile of American pastimes that will one day be no more. In spite of that, history always has a renaissance, and drive-ins will see theirs again.