The Last Drive-In will be back in town for fifth season on Shudder

On the eve of the season finale for Shudder original series The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, news broke that Briggs and his crew will be returning for a fifth season in 2023.

That’s a smart move on the part of Shudder, because TLDI boasts a very dedicated fan base (including myself). There is really no other series out there quite like it. Where else can fans of “drive-in” style horror watch films such as The Baby, Hogzilla and Blood Sucking Freaks, punctuated by Joe Bob’s rants commentary?

His interactions with Darcy the Mail Girl, Yuki and John Patrick Brennan are a joy to behold, especially to horror nerds, who are always happy to encounter like-minded fans. And the trivia and fun facts Joe Bob provides for each featured film add extra entertainment every week.

Although no announcements have been made as to which films will be featured on the season four finale (airing Friday, July 1), here are some highlights of what’s happened up to this point on the Shudder series this year:

• George A. Romero’s black and white zombie masterpiece Night of the Living Dead opened the season, and the ahead of its time Black Sunday was featured in the second episode.
• The series’ first silent film was featured this season, when the original version of Nosferatu was shown during episode 4. The second film during the episode was the 1979 remake.
• Week seven was dubbed “Arrested Development” and featured two films guaranteed to make viewers uncomfortable: Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker and Baby.

No premiere date has been announced for season five as of yet, but Shudder General Manager Craig Engler said there would be “more special guests and themed holiday episodes”, meaning we will most likely see Joe Bob again around Halloween and Christmas (if not sooner).

Joe Bob first made his return to the drive-in in July of 2018, with a 24-hour marathon of films, including Sleepaway Camp, Tourist Trap and The Legend of Boggy Creek. After famously breaking the internet when the marathon began streaming, Shudder wisely brought the crew back as a series.

The show’s fans (know as “Drive-In Mutants”) have remained faithful, and Twitter is all abuzz each Friday when a new episode airs. The renewal of The Last Drive-In proves that the series’ slogan is true: The drive-in will never die.”

What films do you think should be featured on season five of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs? Give us your best picks in the comments section.