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Long thought to be a relic of the past, there are more drive-in movie theaters in New York State than anywhere else in the nation! According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owner’s Association (U.D.I.T.O.A.), as of November 2022, New York tops the list, followed by Pennsylvania and Ohio. During the 1950s, the golden age of drive-in cinema, the U.D.I.T.O.A. estimates there were as many as 4,063 drive-ins across the country. The most dramatic drop in the number of drive-ins occurred in the 1980s when a number of factors such as aging owners, the abundance of other entertainment media, and increasing land values caused many drive-ins to dismantle. The total number left in America is now 302.
Since the late 1990s, the American penchant for nostalgia seems to have caused the number of drive-ins to level off. The pandemic brought a variety of outdoor movie options to New York City in 2020 including the Queens Drive-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Brooklyn Drive-In at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, and a pop-up theater in the parking of the Bel Aire Diner in Queens. While those venues may not be opening for 2023, there are still plenty of places throughout the state where you can take part in this classic summer pastime. Here, we take a look at 16 of New York State’s oldest and newest drive-in movie theaters, in order of their distance from New York City!
Skyline Drive-In theater in Greenpoint is situated on the East River with a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline flanking its movie screen. What makes this drive-in unique is that it’s not just for cars. Pedestrians with chairs as well as guests with bicycles and scooters are welcome to enjoy the film in designated seating areas.
The Warwick Drive-In has been in owner Beth Wilson’s family for over 21 years. The original drive-in was built in 1950 by Charles and Mary Finger in partnership with George and Adeline Miller on five acres of land in Orange County, NY. The Finger family ran the theater for 25 years. In 1977, the Fingers retired and sold the theater to Beth Wilson’s father Frank Seeber. Seeber dreamed of owning his own theatre since he began working in the business at thirteen years old cleaning windshields for tips. Seeber and his wife added two screens, modern projection rooms, and ticket-selling stations as they expanded the theatre to 11 acres in the 1980s. In 1995 the Seebers retired and their daughters Beth and Laurey took over operations. In addition to the steadfast family ownership, another constant at the Warwick Drive-In has been employee Joan Damon who has run the concession area since the 1970’s. Every night double features are presented on three big screens and home-cooked food is served at the concession stand.
Fair Oaks Drive-In welcomes moviegoers for blockbuster double features from May through September. Originally opened in 1970, the drive-in experienced brief periods of closure and operation by different owners until the 2000s. Now with room for 800 cars, the modern drive-in experience offers double features and you can even bring your pet!
Despite the vintage charm and retro aesthetic of Four Brothers Drive-In, it is one of the newest drive-in theatres in the country. The design concept for the theatre, which opened in 2014, is based on “American imagination, ingenuity, and lifestyle,” with their rocket ship logo calling back to the dreams of Americans in the 1960s. The character of the theatre is enhanced by signs, furniture, and art that are all made in America. An art-deco painting in the projection booth was the last public work created by local artist Peter Wing before his death.
Along with the carefully curated decor comes a carefully curated schedule of new releases, #ThrowbackThursday classics, and indie films presented on a 56 by 31-foot screen. Car hop service is available through the theatre’s app, by phone or at the concession shack which serves all locally sourced food and drinks. On special occasions there are pre-show activities such as face-painting, ice-cream making and pony rides before the show. Everyday there is a playground open for children, the “Lazy Lover Liz Lounge” with a fire-pit and pergola, and open space for pets to play and a giant liter box for them to do their business. Four Brothers is the first drive-in to feature EV charging stations for electric cars.
Jericho Drive-In has been a staple of the community since 1956. Along with offering customers the latest cinematic releases, Jericho Drive-In is home to the “Jericho Sundae.” Served at the accompanying ice cream store Twist, the Jericho Sundae is made of vanilla, chocolate, and twist soft serve ice cream layered with bananas, peanut butter sauce, caramel, and hot fudge, topped with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, and a Reese’s peanut butter cup! If that’s not a sweet enough deal, the theatre sells season passes that can be used any day of the season and allow you free admission for one friend.
Greenville Drive-In offers “cinema with a twist.” Originally opened in the Catskills in 1959, the drive-in screens first-run films as well as an eclectic mix of retro, independent, and filmmaker-direct selections. While you watch, you can much on locally-made snacks and sodas. On the weekends, local musicians perform on stage in the biergarten before the feature presentation begins.
Like many of New York’s drive-ins, the Hi-Way opened in 1950. It was the joint venture of brothers Morris and Rafael Klein. When the Klein’s retired in the 1990s, the theater was taken over by a couple who met when they both worked at the theater, Roger Babcock, former projectionist, and Sharon Babcock, former concessionaire and assistant manager. The Babcocks modernized the drive-in by bringing in radio sound and digital projection. They also added 3 additional screens to make the Hi-Way the second-largest drive-in theatre in New York State! Now run by new owners Sydney and Greg, the drive-in shows new releases and throwback films on its four separate screens.
At Hathaway’s Twin Drive-In, you can catch a double feature on one of their two screens from late April through early September. The theater has been open since 1948! While you watch new releases, you can enjoy classic movie snacks from the concession.
The Malta Drive-In Theatre is easy to spot as you drive up Route 9 and see its iconic flashing marquee. A historical marker denotes the landmarked status of the Malta’s signage which was granted in 2007. One of the oldest drive-ins still in operation, the Malta was built in 1949. The theatre opens on the last weekend in April and screens double features through October. In 2013 Malta converted from film to digital projection so viewers in their 550-car lot can enjoy the latest blockbuster releases.
In 1952 James Fisher and his wife Beatrice, along with their son Frank, opened the Hollywood Drive-In. Located on Route 66 just eight miles outside of Troy, NY, the theater was open year round, seven nights a week in the spring and summer and on weekends in September through May. During the colder months, the theater offered heaters that plugged into the speaker pole that cars would park next to. In 1968 Frank took over the business from his father and has been running it ever since.
Over the past 66 years the Hollywood Drive-In has evolved from a 250 car lot with a 2000 foot reel projector and wired speakers to a 400 car lot with digital projection and a Dolby digital sound system. Despite the modern technology, the old-school drive-in experience retains the same allure. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or beach blankets and even their pet and relax and enjoy the show. Don’t forget to stop by the concession stand where you may find a free movie pass in your popcorn!
The Unadilla Drive-In Theatre in Ostego County, NY celebrated 61 years in business at the close of 2017. Open in 1956, Unadillla Drive-In has kept up with the times by renovating the snack bar, updating the sound system and FM transmitter, and converting to digital projection. The theatre has weekly giveaways that include prizes such as free movie tickets and snacks. Even if you lose the sweepstakes, a visit to this theatre is always a win since you can catch a double feature of first-run movies for only eight dollars. While most drive-in theaters charge a permit fee if you bring your own snacks, Unadilla lets you bring goodies from home free of charge.
There were rumored plans for a trailer park to take over the theatre’s land in 2000 but it was instead bought by current owners Eric and Marcia Wilson. The Wilsons purchased the theater to preserve its nostalgia. Now, the daily operations are mostly carried out by their children and manager.
On June 8, 1952 El Rancho Drive-In opened with a screening of “That’s My Boy,” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, on a 60-by-90-foot screen, the same screen that stands there today. The tiny concession stand in the middle of the 400 car lot is also original to the theatre and still has its original flat roof and powder-blue tile floor. The first ticket booth was unfortunately lost due to weather damage but a new one has been built by current owners Darci and Bill Wemple.
Additionally, Ozoner 29 was opened in 2004 by the Wemples in nearby Broadalbin, NY. The term “Ozoner” was coined in a 1950s issue of Variety Magazine to describe an outdoor type theater. The 29 in the name comes from the theatre’s location on Route 29. The Ozoner boasts two large screens showing double features and a newly renovated concession stand and restroom areas. Shows begin at dusk and gates open at 7:30. The best perk is that drivers are admitted free!
Glen Drive-In has been keeping the tradition of drive-in theaters alive since 1958. This theatre, located near the popular Lake George area, offers viewers the classic double-feature drive-in experience. Once you park your car in front one of their two screens you have the choice of listening to the sound through your FM car radio or their old-fashioned speakers. Glen Drive-In opens for the spring in April.
The Charcoal Corral and Silver Lake Drive-In offer visitors a full day and night of entertainment for the entire family. The first establishment at this complex was the Silver Lake Drive-In which opened in 1949. In 1977 the main building of the Charcoal Corral restaurant was built right next to the theatre. Over the years this entertainment hub has grown to include a pizzeria, ice cream parlor, video arcade, and 18-hole mini-golf course. The theatre and restaurant host a variety of events such as car shows, free summer concerts and a giant inflatable playground.
The Finger Lakes Drive-In in Auburn, New York claims it’s the oldest continually running drive-in in New York, opened first on July 15, 1947. The classic drive-in shows films every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sound comes through speakers placed on poles throughout the parking area, but you can also tune in through your FM radio at 101.9 FM to hear the film’s audio.
Bay Drive-In is the oldest continuously operated drive-in movie theater in Jefferson County, NY. Established in 1968, this theater shows digitally projected new releases every weekend from April through October and every night from June through Labor Day on two large screens. Audio plays through viewers’ FM car radios.
The Black River Drive-In in Watertown, New York opened in August 1950 and was run by the original owner Sylvan Leff for over 20 years. After attendance dropped in the 1980s and a fire ravaged the concession stand, the theater closed for two decades. The 500-car theater, which now shows double features every weekend night throughout the season, was revived in 2008 by a long-time projectionist at the Midway Drive-In.
The entertainment at Vintage Drive-In starts an hour before the first movie even begins. In addition to the double feature of new releases you get with your ticket, you also get to listen to their in-house “drive-in radio show.” Three screens offer movie-goers a unique, outdoor, double-feature experience. The 1950’s themed concession stand offers the usual light theatre snacks along with more hardy choices like buffalo chicken pizza, Italian sausage, grilled cheese and a vintage burger.
The Portville Drive-In, located on twenty-two acres of land in southwest New York, boasts 2 screens, a couple of the largest in the state. Each screen plays two movies a night so in one night, you can see two films at the drive-in for what you would pay to see one film at most theaters. This locally owned and operated theatre has offered family-friendly entertainment since 1970. The snack stand offers theater classics like popcorn and nachos as well as a variety of candies and sodas, but no alcohol is allowed on the premises.
The Transit Drive-In was purchased by the theatre entrepreneur couple Irving Cohen and Mary Gossin in 1957. The pair bought their first theater in 1927 and continued to build and purchase theaters throughout Central and Western New York. The drive-in was managed by three generations of Cohens until it was recently purchased by Dipson Theatres, Inc. a local movie theatre company that has been in business since 1939. Dipson presently owns and operates 7 indoor locations in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Pull up for a double feature of new releases and watch the sunset “for no extra charge” as their website states!
On July 22, 1955 the 56 Auto Drive-In Theatre opened with a screening of Walt Disney’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” An article in the Massena Observer on July 21, 1955 noted the many features of the brand-new theatre such as its cinemascope screen, large parking spaces, and “greatly improved hearing apparatus.” The drive-in has been in operation ever since its 1955 opening. Double features are presented every night at this vintage theatre throughout the season while guests enjoyed slushies, fried dough, 1/4-pound hot dogs, and 1/3-pound hamburgers.
Next, check out 10 Abandoned Movie Theaters in NYC and NJ and 12 of NYC’s Lost and Demolished Grand Theaters.
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