Joe Bob reminds us to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the drive-in theatre!

Did you know that today is the 90th anniversary of the drive-in theatre? That’s right, one of America’s most beloved institutions celebrates 90 years today.

Richard Hollingshead opened the very first drive-in theatre in Camden, New Jersey on June 6, 1933. Twenty years later, there were over 4,000 outdoor movie theatres in the United States. I know I have my own fond memories of my parents putting pajamas on my sister, brother and me, loading us up in the station wagon and driving to the Crest Drive-In in Fruitland Park, Florida. Once there, Daddy would back the car into a parking spot, open up the tail gate, and let us kids lay on blankets in the back as we watched whatever movie was showing.

Though the popularity of the drive-in waned over time, COVID brought them back into the forefront, and now, on their 90th birthday, drive-in theatres are thriving. Though the technology is much improved, there is still something special about watching a film outdoors from the safety of your own vehicle.

There are now only about 300 drive-in theatres located around the US, but chances are good that there is one somewhere nearby for almost every one of us. If you haven’t been to one lately, find one that’s close to you and give it a shot!

Since Joe Bob Briggs’s Shudder series The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is such a hit, it only makes sense that he and Darcy the Mail Girl are releasing a 75-second 90th Anniversary Drive-in Theatre PSA, which you can see below.

Joe Bob says:

"Drive-ins have changed a lot since 1933 – many of them now show first-run blockbusters to huge summer crowds – but each new generation has discovered something to love about the ultimate American movie-going experience. As Darcy and I always say on our weekly show: “The drive-in will never die!”"

In other news, the United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association has created a new website that will assist movie-goers in finding an outdoor theatre nearby. Show-times, links to purchase tickets and drive-in theatre news can be accessed by visiting their website.

The 2023 World Drive-In Movie Festival & Jamboree will take place at the West Wind Drive-In in Las Vegas from October 6 – 8. You can read more about it in the article we published last month.

The 90th anniversary celebration will continue through 2023, as Autentic Drive-ins will host special events. To keep up with these events, like and follow all of the Authentic Drive ins on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram

Authentic Drive-ins will announce special events all throughout 2023 to celebrate their 90th birthday.   Please like and follow all of the official Authentic Drive-ins social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Not sure where one of these authentic theatres is located near you? Visit that website we just listed