At the Drive-In: Classic Toyota is Celebrating the History and Magic of Drive-In Movie Theaters

Hop on in your new vehicle from Classic Auto Group and take your popcorn party on the road, because we’re going to the Drive-In Theater!  We love movies at home as much as the next person, but there is a special kind of unparalleled joy that can only come from a flick on the big screen from your car.  Since today is Drive-In Movie Day, we thought it would be only fitting we explore the origins of one of our favourite theater experiences!

Drive-In movie theaters were spotted as early as the 1910s, but they rose in popularity after 1933, when Richard Hollingshead of New Jersey patented the first official drive-in theater.  After creating a mini drive-in for his mother, Hollingshead scaled things up and opened it to the public. He created a solution for folks who did not fit comfortably into small movie theater seats, and also a great option for families with children, stating “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.”  It was a big hit with families, and things continued their upward momentum.

By the 1950s and 1960s, there were upwards of 4,000 drive-in movie theaters in the US thanks to their affordability and accessibility.  The only initial drawback of these outdoor cinemas were weather related restrictions; certain areas could only show movies during specific seasons when weather conditions were mild.  In the 1970s, the oil crisis led to rising prices in gasoline, and many people traded in their cars for more compact models, making them less comfortable for kids and families to spend long hours in while watching movies. Drive-Ins shifted their content to survive with the times, opting instead to show cult favorites, exploitation cinema, adult films, and horror movies.  By the 80s and 90s, home video had taken over the market with VCRs , and by the early 2000s, DVD players had all but obliterated the competition.  Drive-In theater numbers have dwindled since, with just over 300 drive-ins running in the US by 2019.

In late 2020, however, outdoor movie experiences and drive-ins began to see a rise in popularity once again thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. With intermittent lockdowns, social distancing parameters, and multiple restrictions on social gatherings and public events, people began looking for new ways to get out of the house and socialize. Drive-In movie theaters began to soar in popularity once more, and were responsible for generating 85% of box office revenue for the film industry.  Thankfully, the resurgence of Drive-Ins is gaining momentum and we’re excited to see so many new theaters opening as people enjoy this taste of nostalgia and one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

Looking to join the fun of the resurgence of Drive-In Cinema? We’ve rounded up our picks for great nearby drive-ins! Check them out here:

• The Milky Way Drive-In in Franklin, WI
• McHenry Outdoor Theatre in McHenry, IL
• Midway Drive-In in Sterling, IL
• Chitown Futbol and Movies in Chicago, IL
• Blue Moonlight Drive-in Theater in Galesburg, IL
• Route 34 Drive In Theatre in Earlville, IL
• MOO-V-Night in Westmont, IL
• Chicago Drive In in Bridgeview, IL

You can also create your own drive-in at home, queue up a movie on a streaming service, or head on an adventure to a local drive-in!  

Need a great jumping off point to building your own 5-star experience at home? Check out this great video from YouTube:

Check out this great documentary on Drive-In Movie Theater history:

How many of these Top 10 Drive-In movie Theaters have you been to in the US?  Let’s take a road trip and check them out:

Go on a Road Trip to an Abandoned Drive-In Theater in Massachusetts and learn a little about the origins of drive-ins:

Here’s some fun YouTube videos all about Drive-In movie experiences!

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