When it comes to classic date options, many folks enjoy a movie at a theater. But a drive-in theater offers a little something different: a cozy, private car setting, killer eats, maybe even your pooch—plus, you can whisper back and forth without worrying about bothering (or being bothered by) other moviegoers. 

Drive-ins peaked between the ‘40s and the ‘60s. During this time, there was an increase in car ownership for viewers, and it became traditional for first dates to attend drive-ins, due to how inexpensive and practical it was. It was cheaper and easier to maintain the theatres as opposed to indoor cinemas. 

However, drive-in movies started to decline between the ’70s and the ’90s due to the growth and development of home entertainment. At this point, you could watch movies from the comfort of your home, which became more popular than watching a movie from your car. 

Drive-ins saw a resurgence in the ‘90s because the people who grew up during their heyday were nostalgic for the experience. Popularity grew again during 2020 after moviegoers wanted to visit theaters, but pandemic restrictions meant film lovers had to find alternatives due to the shutdown. 

Keep reading to get suggestions for a drive-in movie theater near you.

Coyote Drive-In

223 NE Fourth St., Fort Worth

Coyote Drive-In features seven films per night, as well as nightly double features. Before the show, you can let your little ones run free in the enclosed playground to burn off their energy.

On Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy live music and food trucks, which offer delectable food that’s miles ahead of typical movie theater food—think wagyu sliders, BBQ sandwiches, and horchata bites. There’s even an app you can use to skip the line and have the food and drinks delivered directly to your car. Tickets for adults are $11, and just like regular drive-ins, you’ll need a car radio or boom box to hear the movie. If you don’t have one, don’t fret; you can rent one for $6.

Big Sky Drive In

6200 W. Highway 80, Midland

At BigSky, tickets are only $10 for ages 12 and up, $8 for ages 6-11, and kids 5 and under get in free. Open from Wednesday through Sunday, BigSky plays double features on all three of its screens every night. Sound requires a working car radio, Walkman, or boom box, and each screen has its own radio frequency. You’re free to bring your own food and drink, or you can partake of their offerings, which include standard movie fare like candy and popcorn and specialty dishes like the chihuahua sandwich (tostadas filled with pimento cheese, ground beef, and topped with cabbage).  

Galaxy Drive-In Theatre

5301 I-45, Ennis

Open since 2003, Galaxy Drive-In features seven different screens to showcase multiple films. Unlike many other theaters, they are open seven days a week. Tickets are only $8 for adults and $4 for children. Outside food and drink are not permitted, but there are two snack bars featuring classic snacks like nachos, pizza, and popcorn. There are no radios for rent, so make sure your car or portable radio is in good working order. 

Stars & Stripes Drive In Theatre

1178 Kroesche Lane, New Braunfels

5101 Clovis Highway, Lubbock

Conveniently, Stars & Stripes has two locations in New Braunfels and Lubbock. Open year-round and nightly from 7 pm- 1 am, adult tickets are $9.75 with tax, while tickets for kids ages 4-11 are $6.75 with tax. Kids 3 and under get in free. Its three screens each have their own radio frequency, and you can rent a radio if need be. No outside food allowed, but its 50s-style cafe with hot dogs, burgers, and hand-spun milkshakes will make up for it. The theater closes at 12:30 a.m.

The Brazos Drive-In

1800 West Peart Street, Granbury

Family-owned and -operated since 1953, Brazos Drive-In is the longest continually running drive-in in Texas. It offers a designated kids’ play area, space for 250 cars, and a simple, yet surprisingly satisfying concession stand selection (nachos, popcorn, and ice cream). Brazos typically shows its carefully curated films consisting of classics and blockbusters on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. 

Doc’s Drive-In Theatre

1540 Satterwhite Road, Buda

Who would have thought you could book a vacation rental at a drive-in? Doc’s offers movie-themed mini-home rentals next door at Weewok Village, and dining at neighboring Doc’s Diner and Mama’s Merlot for wine and beer. The theater itself boasts two large screens for catching classic films for an old-school vibe.

Graham Drive In

1519 Fourth Street, Graham

The oldest known operating drive-in movie theater in Texas, Graham was built in 1948 and is open year-round—and they only charge $7 for regular admission tickets. To hear the films, you have to tune your radio to 89.1 FM KGDI. While they do not allow outside food, they do have a concession stand that features hot dogs, tacos, and Frito pies. Graham’s is open Thursdays through Sundays, and starts viewings at 9 p.m. You can also rent out the space for a private event for up to 100 guests.