Do You Think Drive-in Theatres Could Make A comeback?

There's one near my hometown that's been going for about 10 years now I think

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There is a really nice one that my wife and I go to a lot during the summer. It's on the TN AL line and they play 2 new releases for like $7 a person iirc. Great video quality and they use FM transmitters so you can play the sound through your vehicle.

I wish they were open later in the year than they are.

Partner them with Sonic, screen resolution like Jerry's World, have some outdoor amphitheater seating for those who want to get out of the car, you bet. Every smoker in town would support this!

there's one in the wicksburg/dothan alabama area. i've been to it numerous times.

continental drive-in

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My wife and I went to one in Oregon last year. It was neat, but not the most convenient experience for a movie. People find less reasons to be quiet. Getting in and out is a huge pain. You are more easily distracted.

And our expectations for a movie are much more personal now. Years ago, it was a social event where you almost always went in a group and wanted to converse a little during the movie. No one really wants that anymore.

Depends where they are.

The really cool ones (big ones) got shut-down in large part because of legal challenges as attractive nuisances because they were near highways or crowded streets and would distract passers-by...they also couldn't show R-rated movies.

Also home-owners brought legal challenges if the screen was too big or nearby.

The only ones I've seen are small screen ones out in the sticks where it doesn't bother anybody.

Never been to a drive in, but I'd definitely like to try one just for the experience... Oxford's Malco has an outdoor screen that's fun when the weather is bearable.

Probably my favorite movie experience was at Canal Place in New Orleans. Pretty cool place. Maybe 25-30 seats, sat on the first row so got to prop our feet up on ottomans, plenty of room, and push button service. Nice way to watch a movie when you want to just get out of the house and don't mind the price.

I used to go all the time as a kid but there is only one in the Chicago area now. I went last summer for the first time in years and it is still a very special experience.

However, when you factor in property costs, having restricted hours of operation due to daylight, weather cancellations and seasonal closings in certain locations, possible nuisance complaint issues, etc., it's just not a strong business model and I don't see a comeback.