Texas boasts friendly smiles and lots of wide open spaces. So, back in the day, drive-ins popped up like wildflowers. With a handful of vintage drive-ins scattered across the state, plan a date night with your loved one to watch a movie on the big screen. It’s not all old-school screens; however, there are modern drive-ins, especially in the urban areas. Here is a guide to the Texas Drive-Ins.
Guide to Texas Drive-Ins
The Brazos Drive-In
Graham Drive-In Theatre
The Last Drive-In Picture Show
Sandell Drive-In
Stars and Stripes Drive-Ins
Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-Ins
Big Sky Drive-In Theatre
Doc’s Drive-In Theatre
Galaxy Drive-In
Coyote Drive-In
Tascosa Drive-In Theater
WesMer Drive-In Theatre
Drive-In Etiquette
Manners manner, even at casual places like drive-ins. It just makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Support the concession station. No outside drinks or food always.
Some movie distributors insist on per-person pricing. Carload pricing isn’t the norm any longer.
Some drive-ins are dog-friendly if your dog is friendly.
Drive-ins are family-friendly venues so keep it PG in the car.
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The OG Texas Drive-Ins
For the most authentic experience, visit one of the original drive-in theaters in Texas. There are vintage gems, packed with mid-century details like neon marquees and starbursts.
Some still have their concession stands with checkboard linoleum on the floor. One thing that isn’t original is the projection and sound systems.
The Brazos Drive-In
One of the original drive-ins, The Brazos has been family-run since 1952. It still keeps its vintage diner vibe in the concession area and is the longest continually operating drive-in in Texas.
Located at 1800 W. Pearl St. in Granbury. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a double feature. Closed from December 1 until Spring Break. Admission by the carload.
Graham Drive-In Theatre
One of the oldest drive-ins in Texas, it first opened in 1948. It still displays movie titles on its red and white marquee. Best of all, the Graham Drive-In is open year-round.
Located at 1519 4th St. in Graham, south of Wichita Falls. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission per person.
The Last Drive-In Picture Show
This drive-in opened in 1950 and was originally called the Circle Drive-in. With a new name, its neon marquee still blinks to life nightly north of Fort Hood.
The Last Drive-In Picture Show boasts a retro concession stand for those looking to snacks for the double date. For the kiddos, there’s a mini golf course.
Located at 2912 S. Highway 36 Bypass in Gatesville. Shows start nightly at dark. Admission by the carload. Shows a double feature.
Sandell Drive-In
For over 60 years, this Panhandle drive-in lights up the plains with weekend movies. The concession stand hand-presses the patties for made-to-order burgers and uses homemade chili.
Located at 12 Medical Center Dr. in Clarendon, about 55 miles southeast of Amarillo. Open Friday and Saturday nights. Admission per person.
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The New Classic Texas Drive-Ins
If filmmakers can shoot a remake. Then drive-ins can too.
Drive-ins are still popular summer destinations. So movie-goers will find new versions of the classic concept across Texas.
Stars and Stripes Drive-ins
Get your retro vibe at the Stars and Stripes Drive-Ins with 50s-inspired diners and three screens each. The kids even have a playground.
Located at 5101 Clovis Highways in Lubbock. Open Friday and Saturday. Admission per person.
Located at 1178 Kroesche Ln. in New Braunfels. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Admission per person.
Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-Ins
Since 2009, the Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In has delighted moviegoers in Austin. Now, with several locations, grab a bestie, kid or someone special for a movie.
Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in Downtown is located at 300 San Antonio St.
Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in Central is located at 500 VFW Rd. in Austin. Open nightly. Admission per person.
Big Sky Drive-In Theatre
At this drive-in, you won’t have to worry about a tree blocking your view. There’s nothing by big sky out in West Texas.
The concession stand serves up boxed dinners and wings. Their specialty is a sandwich called the Chihuahua and you’ll find burgers too.
Located at 6200 W. Highway 80 in Midland. Open nightly with three screens. Admission per person. Leashed pet are welcome.
Doc’s Drive-In Theatre
More than a drive-in, it’s an experience. Find a menu stacked with gourmet-inspired sandwiches, like the Rom-Com.
Make it a weekend with movie-themed mini cabins, like the Audrey Hepburn cabin or Harry Potter cabin.
Located at 1540 Satterwhite Rd. in Buda. Open Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission per person. Dog friendly.
The Galaxy Drive-In
Starbursts lead the way, on the sign, that is. This drive-in sports retro vibes; however, it opened in 2003. With seven screens, you can see a different movie every night.
Located at 5301 N. Interstate 45 in Ennis, south of Dallas. Open nightly. Admission per person.
Coyote Drive-In
What’s better than a movie, well, a movie with an ice-cold craft beer? For hungry moviegoers, there’s a packed menu with Wagyu burgers.
In a new generation of urban drive-ins, the Coyote is just north of downtown Fort Worth. There’s even a playground for the kids.
Located at 223 NE 4th St., Fort Worth. Open nightly. Admission per person.
Tascosa Drive-In Theater
The Tascosa Drive-In is an Amarillo icon. Now, under new ownership, movie-goers savor those retro vibes.
Located at 1999 Dumas Dr. in Amarillo. Open seasonally, Friday and Saturday. Admission per person. Concessions available.
WesMer Drive-In Theatre
The WesMer Drive-In Theatre is located at 2090 West Business 83, Mercedes.
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Why Drive-Ins Flourished in Texas
Back in 1921, Model T’s packed the downtown streets of Comanche, Texas, to see the first film projected outdoors. A silent black-and-white film entertained the residents of the small town.
A New Jersey inventor developed the concept further and perfected the projection, sound and screen requirements. Soon, drive-ins started popping up across the U.S.
The Drive-In Short Reel Theater opened in Galveston in 1934. It was the first Texas drive-in and the third in the U.S.
Texas and drive-ins go together like boots and jeans. With lots of open space essential for parking hundreds of cars, drive-ins flourished, especially in West Texas. The towering white screens attracted more than bugs. Everyone from convertible-driving teens to station wagons packed with pajama-clad kids showed up on weekends.
By the 1950s, the U.S. had over 4,000 outdoor venues. During the same time, Texas boasted close to 400 theaters.
Though the neon signs started to blink in the late 1960s, Texas lost most of its drive-ins in the last part of the 20th century. Those close to urban centers were demolished to make way for shopping.
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