A drive-in theater is an outdoor cinema where spectators park their cars in front of a large screen to watch a film. The theater may have variations in its structure, sound system, and additional attractions like playgrounds, restaurants, and petting zoos. Drive-ins offer privacy and reduced intrusions, but daytime viewing is difficult. They were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but rising costs and competition from television and VCRs made it difficult for many to continue operating. Some drive-ins remain open as novelties.
A drive-in is a type of movie theater that sits outdoors. Spectators must drive into the cinema and park their cars in front of a large screen showing the film. A drive-in theater typically contains a large screen, a designated parking area, a projection booth, and a concession stand.
While many drive-in theaters include the above attributes, variations between theaters can exist. For example, the external screen may be a large whitewashed wall or a structure specifically built to display the film. Similarly, the sound of a movie can be produced by loud ordinary speakers, produced by small individual speakers placed inside the car, or transmitted into the car via the radio. The latter is the cheapest and most popular means for viewers to receive the sound of the film.
Even a drive-in theater can boast special attractions. Children’s playgrounds may be offered so that children can enjoy themselves while parents watch movies. Carousels, model railroads and miniature golf courses can also be included within a drive-in theater for additional decoration or as another type of attraction. It was not unusual for some drive-in theaters to include an attraction such as a petting zoo with exotic animals.
Drive-in theaters operate on the idea that moviegoers will sit in their cars for the majority of the movie’s running time, but many theaters offer patrons an alternative. Some offer lounge chairs and patios. Others might treat their concession stand like a restaurant, providing indoor seating for those who prefer to sit at a table and eat.
The benefits of visiting a drive-in theater are many. Viewers are able to watch a movie from the comfort of their vehicles and enjoy privacy while doing so. This will reduce intrusions, so it can lead to a more pleasant viewing experience. One potential downside to frequenting a drive-in is that movies are best viewed at night, because the screen is exposed to sunlight, which can make daytime viewing difficult.
Drive-in theaters saw their heyday in the 1950s and early 1960s. Rising land values, rising business costs, and the advent of the television and video recorder (VCR) made it difficult for many owners to continue operating drive-in theaters. Many that remain open into the 21st century are marketed as novelties.
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