It’s Time to Bring Back Drive-In Movie Theaters

J.R. Eyerman/The LIFE Picture Collection

Yesterday it was reported that AMC has “substantial doubt” they will survive the coronavirus pandemic that has closed movie theaters down for months already.  They are basically generating no revenue and a lot of movie releases are expected to get pushed back due to the pandemic making it tougher to film.  And further, movie theaters just aren’t what they used to be, even before the deadly virus hit.  Not many people go to the movie theaters anymore, and when they do go, it is sparsely.  Would-be moviegoers feel outpriced and would rather rent a movie from Redbox or stream one on Hulu or Netflix and watch from the comfort of their own home.

While this is sad news for something as iconic as movie theaters, we need to think about bringing back another iconic way to watch movies.  I’m talking about drive-in theaters.  There are still a few scattered here and there, but the age of the drive-in is long gone.  And now is the perfect time to bring them back.

The pandemic has ushered in social distancing, something that you simply cannot do in a crowded theater.  Nobody knows when this virus will finally be irrelevant, but when it is I have a strong feeling that while social distancing will be greatly eased, it will never fully go away.  People everywhere will be more cautious about simple things that we never thought twice about, such as shaking hands or going to crowded places like movie theaters.  Some people simply will not want to take the chance to sit in a crowded theater in a seat that hundreds of others have recently sit in.

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The drive-in theater would easily combat this worry.  Everyone can drive up in their own vehicles, not have to sit alongside rows of strangers or in used theater seats, and can just stay in (or just outside) of their own vehicle with the people they came with.  It would be the perfect situation for people who still want to go out to watch a movie, but are skeptical of the lingering virus.

Also, who wouldn’t want to watch a movie on a big screen in the great outdoors.  Open, fresh air and the night sky above.  I have never been to a drive-in theater, but I imagine it would be an awesome experience.  You can even bring your own drinks and snacks to save money.  And those who remember drive-in movie theaters can feel the nostalgia sink in as they re-live former experiences.

Sometimes things just need a fresh start.  Drive-in theaters would instantly create massive intrigue from people like me who have never got to experience one, and also massive intrigue from those nostalgic folks who have gotten to experience one.  Nostalgia is a very powerful thing.  There’s no doubt in my mind that people would flock to attend newly created drive-in theaters.  Most things go in cycles and when they go out of style, it’s usually just a matter of time before they come back.  This could very well be the case for drive-in movie theaters.  I really hope the future of movies isn’t restricted to streaming them at home, and hope the movie theater industry can figure something out.  Sometimes you just have to look back to go forward.

Garett