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The Daily Insight

What states have drive in theaters?

Author

Abigail Rogers

Updated on March 04, 2026

Drive-Ins throughout the United States
  • Alabama Drive-in Theaters. Alaska Drive-in Theaters. Arizona Drive-in Theaters.
  • Indiana Drive-in Theaters. Iowa Drive-in Theaters. Kansas Drive-in Theaters.
  • Montana Drive-in Theaters. Nebraska Drive-in Theaters.
  • Rhode Island Drive-in Theaters. South Carolina Drive-in Theaters.

Moreover, how many drive in theaters are left in the US 2020?

There used to be thousands of drive-in movie theaters across the US. Now, according to the United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association, there are only 305 still in operation. But in 2020, business is booming. A fixture of the 1950s and '60s, drive-in movies have made a comeback during the coronavirus pandemic.

Likewise, do other countries have drive in theaters? At the height of their popularity in the mid-1960s, around 330 drive-in theaters were operating in Australia, before quickly dropping off. As of 2016, only a dozen drive in theaters remained in Australia. The world's most remote drive-in may be at Coober Pedy, South Australia.

Subsequently, one may also ask, why are there no drive in theaters?

Two basic reasons: changing audience preferences, and rising property taxes. The audiences for the drive-ins was started by the WWII generation and ended with the Baby Boomers. It was cheaper than the movie theater (one price - two, maybe three movies.

What killed the drive in Theatre?

"More variety, the convenience of timing and shopping all in one and more focus on the movie itself rather than the experience was what the movie-goer demanded, and the mall society provided just that. Those social patterns caused drive-ins to close and give way, selling to the plazas we've grown to know today."

Related Question Answers

Do drive ins still exist?

Despite some claims to the contrary, drive-in movie theaters in the United States are not making a comeback. As of March, there were only 348 drive-in movie theaters in the US, down from 443 theaters in 2000.

Which state has the most drive in theaters?

According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, there were 305 drive-in theaters in the U.S. with 549 screens as of October 2019. New York (49), Pennsylvania (45), Ohio (44) and California (44) offer the most drive-ins, according to the association.

How much land is needed for a drive in theater?

The typical drive-in theater requires between 10-14 acres of land. This should allow up to 500 cars to park at your theater. You will also need to consider the space required to funnel cars off the road and through the box office.

Which state had the first drive in theater?

New Jersey

How many drive in theaters are left in Texas?

Texas currently has 18 drive-ins still in operating which still makes it the 5th largest state in terms of open drive-ins.

How many drive in theaters are left in Florida?

Unlike most states, the severe attrition of drive-ins did not hit Florida until the 1980's. But hit it did as there are currently only 7 operating drive-in movie theaters in Florida. However, Florida is still host to the largest drive-in in the United States.

How many drive in theaters are left in Washington?

4 Drive

Do drive in theaters make money?

Despite their successes and generating thousands in revenue every night of operation, the drive-in owners said they aren't turning much of a profit. Overhead on the business is pricey after paying for permits, movie licensing and staffing.

Do you leave your car on at a drive in movie?

If you can help it, turn off your car completely during the movie, especially if it has daytime running headlights. The sound of your engine is distracting and so is your car's exhaust. That means you need to dress according to the weather and plan ahead.

What movie theater went out of business?

Cineworld, the parent company of the second largest chain in the U.S., is closing all its theaters in the country, as studios keep postponing releases and audiences remain reluctant to return to the movies.

How much does it cost to open a drive in theater?

According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, you should look for a closed drive-in theater to remodel. This is one way to keep costs down. Otherwise, setting up a single-screen drive-in theater may cost between $300,000 and $500,000 – and that doesn't include the land.

How early should I get to a drive in movie?

Arrive Early: Beat the traffic and arrive early. Gates typically open an hour before the first scheduled start time during the week and 90 minutes early on weekends. The drive-in will fill up, so avoid the long lines and find the perfect spot as early as you can. We don't want you to miss any part of your movie.

How do drive in theaters work?

You pay your entry fee, drive to a parking spot. All the spot are arranged facing the screen, so like a massive open air theater. Each site has a pole with speaker on it next to the site. Often, the speaker is on a cord, and you can temporarily mount it on a partially rolled down window.

How many outdoor theaters are left?

There are currently only about 330 drive-in theaters that remain in operation in the United States compared to a peak of about 4,000 in the late 1950's.

Why were drive in theaters so popular?

"They offered family entertainment. People could sit in their cars, they could bring their babies, they could smoke. Drive-ins offered more flexibility than indoor theaters." Combine that with the fact that so many drive-ins were mom-and-pop businesses that few descendants chose to continue running, he explained.

What was the last movie to play at the drive in before it closed Riverdale?

Rebel Without A Cause

How do drive ins get their movies?

Movie theatres, including drive-in theatres, use 35mm film projectors to present films on their screens. Although digital projectors have been developed that allow digital or video signals to be projected, less than 100 out of 37,000 movie screens in the U.S. are equipped with these units at the present.

What should I bring to a drive in movie?

  • Folding Chairs. Depending on the temperatures, you will most likely want to sit outside of your vehicle.
  • Pack a Cooler with drinks.
  • Dinner & Snacks.
  • Plates, Napkins, and Plastic Cups.
  • Portable Radio.
  • Sports stuff to play with before it gets dark.
  • Bug Spray.
  • A Snuggie and Multiple Blankets.

How many theaters are in the US?

Number of cinema sites in the U.S. 1995-2019. In 2018, there were 5,869 cinema sites in the United States, a similar amount to the 5,942 recorded a decade earlier.