Drive-in movie theaters have been part of the American cultural landscape for over a century, blending the magic of the big screen with the laid-back charm of a night under the stars. Though many have vanished over the years, these nostalgic icons still offer something special – and we’ve ranked 12 of the best across the country, all with just the right touch of old-school magic.

Click through this gallery to discover the best drive-in movie theaters across America... 

A local favorite in Alexandria Bay, the Bay Drive-In operates seasonally, opening in spring and wrapping up around Halloween with a ‘Spooktober’ program featuring horror films and cult classics. From April onwards, double features are shown on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings across its two screens – rain or shine.

The Bay’s neon signage, vintage speaker poles, and twilight screenings create a nostalgic charm, while the cozy option of its small indoor screening room is a definite plus on cooler nights.

Adult tickets cost $7, entry for children under 11 is just $3, and six-and-unders go free. Four-legged friends are welcome too, adding to the laid-back, family-friendly vibe.

With space for 1,300 cars and four screens, Fort Worth’s Coyote Drive-In offers a cinema experience on a Texas-sized scale. Open every night of the week, year-round, the gates open at 6.30pm on weekdays and 6pm Friday through Sunday.

Leashed dogs are welcome, but you’ll need to skip the picnic basket – outside food and drink aren’t allowed. Thankfully, the on-site concession stand has you covered with everything from burgers and nachos to creative snacks like Oreo popcorn, churros, and fruity pebble bars.

Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $7 for children aged five to 12, while little ones aged four and under get in free. Military and civil service discounts are available at the box office, and the venue can also be hired for private screenings, parties, or corporate events. 

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The Stars and Stripes Drive-In may be modest in size, but it punches well above its weight. Three screens light up from 6.30pm, Wednesday through Sunday, with a rotating line-up of Hollywood hits, action thrillers, and family favorites. To complete the retro experience, swing by the on-site 1950s-style café for classic cinema snacks.

This family-owned and operated drive-in charges $9.75 for adults and $6.75 for children aged four and up, while little ones under three go free. Pets are welcome, and the venue can be hired for parties, company picnics, or even private screenings. 

Where else can you watch a movie beneath the Tetons with a massive potato statue out front? Only at the Spud Drive-In in Driggs, Idaho – a delightfully oddball landmark where Americana meets alpine views.

Since 1953, this roadside treasure has been charming visitors with its kitschy mascot 'Old Murphy', a vintage red truck hauling an enormous faux potato that proudly celebrates the area’s spud-loving roots.

Though a 2022 windstorm took out the original screen, the Spud is in the midst of a spirited revival under new ownership, with plans to bring back outdoor films and live concerts. When it reopens expect the same quirky heart, jaw-dropping scenery and, of course, that giant potato keeping watch at the gate.

Cape Cod's Wellfleet Drive-In Theater has been delighting moviegoers since 1957 with its vintage charm. It’s the only drive-in on the Cape and still draws crowds every summer with double features projected onto a towering screen.

The season runs from mid-May to mid-September, with nightly showings during summer months. Arriving early allows you to claim your spot and soak up the nostalgic atmosphere. While waiting, kids can enjoy the retro mini-golf course, a feature since 1961, located next door.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for kids under 12, and free for little ones under four. As for snacks, the drive-in delivers in classic style. 

Think buttery popcorn, burgers, nachos, and sweet treats from the on-site Dairy Bar, including hand-spun milkshakes and sundaes. It’s no wonder this nostalgic gem maintains its reputation as one of the best drive-ins in the country. 

Tucked among the evergreens just outside Shelton, Washington, the Skyline Drive-In Theater has been lighting up summer nights since 1964. Built by two Navy shipyard workers, it’s one of the few remaining drive-ins in the Pacific Northwest – and it leans into nostalgia.

Double features play under the stars from April through October, with movies rolling around dusk, rain or shine. Bring a blanket, kick back in your car, or set up chairs outside – then hit the snack bar for classic movie fare that helps keep this local legend alive.

Ticket prices are old-school: just $8 for adults and $3 for kids aged six to 11, while children five and under get in free. The theater asks visitors to support it by skipping outside food and grabbing something from the concession stand instead – part of the fun anyway. With films broadcast clearly over FM radio and that unbeatable drive-in charm, Skyline offers a throwback night out that’s still wildly relevant.

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With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, the Holiday Twin Drive-In – family-owned since 1979 – is one of the last remaining drive-ins in Colorado, beloved by locals for its relaxed, no-frills charm.

With two big screens showing new releases with the occasional throwback, the season usually runs from mid-April through October. While you're waiting for dusk to fall, the concession stand serves up popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, and local brews – with the occasional live music night or food truck popping up.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for kids aged six to nine, and free for the littlest ones under five. You’ll want to bring cash or check the website ahead of time, as policies can vary – and outside food is a no-go, since concession sales help keep this independent treasure running.

Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, there’s something special about watching a movie with a mountain backdrop and the hum of radios all around you. 

The Swan Drive-In Theater & Diner has been spinning reels since 1955 – and it’s lost none of its charm. One of the last of its kind in the state, the Swan is delightfully unpretentious, serving up double features beneath a blanket of stars with a side of small-town magic.

It’s open year-round, Thursdays through Sundays, with gates opening at 5pm in winter and 6pm in summer. The atmosphere leans wholesome and old-school, and yes, even your dog can tag along (so long as it minds its manners).

The real draw here is the diner and its throwback carhop service. You place your order from your car – burgers, funnel cakes, foot-long corn dogs, fried Oreos – and one of the crew brings it to your window.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids aged up to 11, and free for the under-twos. For cinephiles who like a bit of grit and grease with their popcorn, the Swan is pure, unfussy Americana.

In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the Georgetown Drive-In has been showing films and dishing out nostalgia since 1951. This family-run gem still oozes vintage charm, right down to the 1950s-era playground and old-school pole speakers that dot the lot.

With two screens showing double features of new releases and retro favorites, it’s a place that feels more like a summertime ritual than just a night at the movies.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids aged six to 12, and free for the under-fives. The box office is cash only, so come prepared. Inside, the concession stand offers time-honored movie fare: hot dogs, popcorn, burgers, and the kind of nachos that come unapologetically smothered. It’s a bit scrappy, a bit sentimental, and exactly the kind of American night that feels like it belongs in a movie itself.

The Northfield Drive-In Theater first opened its gates in 1948 and boasts a unique location that straddles the border between two states. While the projection booth and snack bar sit firmly in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, part of the parking area stretches into Northfield, Massachusetts.

This classic drive-in offers double features under the stars during its seasonal operation from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Gates and the snack bar open at 6.30pm, allowing patrons to settle in and enjoy traditional concessions before the first film begins at dusk.

Admission prices at the Northfield Drive-In are straightforward: $13 for adults (ages 15 and up), $7 for children, and free entry for kids six and under. The theater sticks to a cash-only policy for both ticket sales and the concession stand, which serves up classic drive-in fare like buttery popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, candy, and sodas. 

Set on Whidbey Island amid the charm of coastal Washington, the Blue Fox Drive-In Theater serves up first-run double features alongside go-karts, vintage arcade games, and – perhaps most memorably – the option to pitch a tent or camper and sleep under the stars.

It's the kind of place where your evening might include a lap around the track, a root beer float, and a blockbuster flick, all before settling into your sleeping bag. Perfect for road trippers and locals alike.

Tickets are budget-friendly: $6.50 for adults and just a dollar for kids aged five to 10 if you're paying cash (a little more if you're using a card), with guests under four going free.

If you're planning to camp out in an RV or camper, you'll need to pay $50, although $30 of this is returned in the form of a voucher to use at the snack bar. If you're after a movie night and maybe a campout to boot, Blue Fox hits the sweet spot.

Our pick for the best drive-in movie theater in America, The Four Brothers Drive-In isn’t your typical throwback – it’s a full-blown experience with boutique flair. Founded in 2013 beside the original Four Brothers Pizza Inn, this place reinvents the drive-in for a new generation.

Yes, there’s a giant screen showing double features under the stars, but that’s just the start. You’ll find mini-golf, a retro photo booth in a VW bus, electric vehicle charging, a fire pit, and a playground. There’s even a margarita bar.

Operating seasonally from spring through fall, it has nightly showings seven days a week, with tickets priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children. No need to line up for snacks either – the in-car service brings fresh pizzas, burgers, fries, and milkshakes straight to your vehicle, ordered via an app.

And then there’s Hotel Caravana – a vintage Airstream turned glamping suite, complete with a private deck and firepit. Book a night here and you’ll score two complimentary movie tickets plus VIP front-row seating. Prefer to bring your own setup? Tent camping is also available.

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