Are Drive-In Theaters Still Thriving After Their Pandemic Comeback?

Drive-in theaters were once a lifeline for the movie industry during the pandemic, when social distancing rules made traditional cinemas nearly impossible to fill. At their peak in 2020, drive-ins generated 85% of U.S. box office revenue from late March to mid-August — a massive leap from just 2.9% the year before, according to Comscore.

But years later, their presence has faded, though many still endure. By 2024, about 283 drive-ins were operating nationwide, down from 305 in 2019. In their heyday in 1958, more than 4,000 dotted the country. Today, they remain a niche but beloved part of moviegoing culture.

“Drive-ins are a labor of love,” said John Vincent, president of the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. “For the most part, we’re independently owned.” Tickets are usually cheaper compared to chain theaters — AMC may charge $26 for an IMAX screening near Baltimore, while a double feature at Bengies Drive-In costs around $12.50. Still, like indoor theaters, most profits come from concessions.

Some owners are keeping the tradition alive through nostalgia and retro programming. Donna and Rod Saunders, who operate Ohio’s Field of Dreams and Van-Del Drive-Ins, say throwback screenings remain popular. Universal Pictures’ “Jaws” will return this Labor Day for its 50th anniversary.

Other entrepreneurs are reopening long-shuttered venues. Paul Cole revived the Rose City Drive-In in Newark, New York, last year. Attendance has been modest — about 25 cars on recent weekends — but he hopes nostalgia and family tradition will bring crowds back.

At Ohio’s Dixie Twin Drive-In, manager Victor Bonacore says Friday nights still draw about 150 cars. When new Hollywood releases slow down, he turns to retro weekends, mixing 1980s classics like “The Goonies” and “E.T.” with newer films such as “Weapons.”

While numbers may never reach the golden era of the 1950s, drive-ins continue to hold a special place in American culture. For many families, they remain a mix of affordability, tradition, and pure nostalgia under the stars.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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