

These difficulties range from the need for larger parcels of often expensive land to having to buy pricey high-resolution projectors to paying to show first-run movies. However, the difficulties drive-ins face are hard to overcome. The pandemic gave drive-in movie theaters a spurt of new popularity as people were eager to be entertained but wanted to stay outside. This graphic below shows you where the largest concentration of remaining drive in movie theaters are in America. States with the highest number of drive-ins per capita are largely located in the Eastern half of the country as well as the Midwest. Remaining drive in movie theaters in AmericaĪccording to, there are currently 177 drive-in theaters operating in 25 states. However, it did nothing to bring back the original drive ins that have been disappearing over time. That’s when pop-up outdoor theaters appeared to take the place of indoor ones that were closed. Most recently, during the pandemic, drive-ins enjoyed a small resurgence–or at least the experience of watching a movie outdoors did. Then, we’d climb onto the hood of the car to watch while our parents got alone time in the car. We’d get bathed for the evening and into our pajamas before heading to the local outdoor movie theater near my Long Island, New York home.

Before then, going to the drive-in was a treat. I think the last time I can remember going to a drive in with my family was the mid-1970s. However, by the late 1970s, drive-in movie theaters were on the decline. (MI) Drive in movie theaters in Michiganĭrive-in theaters becoming harder to find.Remaining drive in movie theaters in America.Drive-in theaters becoming harder to find.
