Lights, camera, park! This summer saw the reemergence of drive-in theaters due to the new social distancing era. Several pop-up series took a cue from the nostalgic past-time and created a modern-day way for people to be entertained safely in their automobiles.
From films to live music, drive-in entertainment is the new way to have fun in Los Angeles. Although summer is coming to a close, many of these theaters are continuing the fun throughout the year with more screenings schedules. Getting cabin fever? Skip the movie nights from the couch and plan your trip to these drive-ins happening around L.A. and beyond.
Cinemauto
What: An all-new drive-in film and dinner that celebrates Hispanic culture is coming to Chinatown. The new series, Cinemauto, kicks off on Friday, Sept. 18 with a screening of the iconic film, Selena. Each ticket covers entry, dinner, and the movie, plus extra fun like curated DJ sets from NTS Radio. Also, ticket proceeds will benefit Homeboy Industries and LALIFF. More movies will be announced soon.
Where: Cinemauto, 713 North Hill St., L.A., 90012
Tickets: $60 for add on Single, $115 for double GA & $160 for double VIP, buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.: Selena
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.: Selena
Los Angeles Arts Society Drive-In Cinema
What: Gardena is home to some of the best Asian cuisine in town, and the latest city to add a drive-thru theater experience. The Los Angeles Arts Society is hosting pop-up drive-in movie screenings at the Gardena Cinema backlot. Pull out your old-school bucket and enjoy some cultural and Halloween themed classics.
Where: Gardena Cinema, 14948 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena, 90249
Tickets: $25 per vehicle; buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.: La Bamba
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.: Selena
Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.: Beetlejuice
Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.: The Nightmare Before Christmas / 10 p.m.: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Thursday, Oct 22 at 7 p.m.: 8th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival Opening Night
L.A. Dance Project Drive-In Dances
What: We all miss a good night out of dancing! Luckily, the L.A. Dance Project (LADP), the global dance company (and now fitness app) led by Artistic Director Benjamin Millepied, is throwing Drive-In Dances. Starting Sept. 10, attendees can experience live drive-in performances from award-winning choreographers including Bobbi Jean Smith and Or Schraiber, just to name a few.
Where: L.A. Dance Project, 2245 East Washington Blvd., L.A., 90021
Tickets: $75 per car for LADPDigital subscribers and $100 per car for the general public; buy online here
Solo at Dusk featuring Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber
Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22 to Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28 to Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
The Betweens featuring Jermaine Spivey + Spenser Theberge
Thursday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 to Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
L.A. County Park's Drive-In at the Park
What: After an incredible summer run, the LA County Parks' Drive-In at the Park movie series has been extended through Oct. 3. The September series will offer attendees a night under the stars at SoCal's Castaic Lake, where guests can also enjoy dinner and a movie with free fresh-off-the-grill plant-based burgers provided by OZO. Can't make it to Castaic? The drive-in will also take over spots across Los Angeles including the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall, Kenneth Hahn Park, and Magic Johnson Park.
Where: Various locations throughout L.A.
Tickets: $30 per vehicle; buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Sept. 18 to Sat., Sept. 19 at 8:20 p.m.: Dirty Dancing
Friday, Sept. 25 to Sat., Sept. 26 at 8:20 p.m.: Men in Black
Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.: Black Panther @ Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall
Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.: Remember the Titans @ Kenneth Hahn Park
Saturday, Oct 3 at 7 p.m.: Moana @ Magic Johnson Park
PCH Movies & Moonlight
What: Since July 24, the PCH Movies & Moonlight has been screening films every Friday at Sunset. The Long Beach hidden gem is perfect for the family and offers standby tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wrapping up on Sept. 25, the drive-in will be screening two more great films to close out the summer at the Whole Foods parking deck.
Where: Whole Foods Market parking garage at 2nd & PCH, 6400 California 1, Long Beach, 90803
Tickets: Free reservations are currently sold out but standby is available; RSVP online here
Coming up:
Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:45 p.m.: Princess and the Frog
Friday, Sept. 25 at 6:45 p.m.: The Fast and the Furious
Roadium
What: The Roadium is continuing the summer fun all year long! This summer, the 15-acre outdoor swap meet transformed its parking lot to an old-fashioned theater where guests could enjoy films on Saturday and Sunday nights. Luckily, the South Bay spot is still providing safe, socially distant entertainment during this time. This movie-going experience is now happening once a month during the fall and winter months.
Where: The Roadium Open Air Market, 2500 West Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance, 90504
Tickets: $25 per vehicle; buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.: Shrek 2
Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.: Ghostbusters
Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.: Ratatouille
Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.: The Polar Express
San Fernando Valley Summer Drive-In Nights
What: No stranger to the trend, the San Fernando Valley pop-up series has been hosting their drive-ins for years. For summer, the drive-ins returned with style as they showcased classic musicals like Grease, and '80s inspired flicks like The Breakfast Club. To kick off the spooky season, the pop-up theater is expanding through October and screening your favorite Halloween films as double-features.
Where: Westfield Fashion Square, 14006 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, 91423
Tickets: $20 for GA & $55 for Double-Features; buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.: Edward Scissorhands / Pet Sematary
Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m.: Labyrinth / Child's Play
Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.: Casper / Poltergeist
Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.: Hotel Transylvania / Scream
Street Food Cinema
What: The leader of the summer outdoor movie series, Street Food Cinema, had to revamp their style by finding a way to provide a safe experience for visitors. The group remodeled its platform as a drive-in theater that offers a larger-than-life movie experience and a tasty lineup of the best food trucks in town at King Gillette Ranch in Malibu. The fall/winter lineup has not been announced yet, so stay tuned for more.
Where: Malibu's King Gillette Ranch, 26800 West Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas, 91302
Tickets: $20 per vehicle; buy online here
Coming up:
Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 p.m.: Coco
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8:30 p.m.: Get Out
Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8:30 p.m.: La La Land
Ventura Movies In Your Car
What: This drive-in is offering double the entertainment! Located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Concerts In Your Car is hosting California's first official drive-in concerts. With a lineup that includes the South Gate hip hop group Cypress Hill and flicks such as The Big Lebowski and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, you don't want to miss tickets for this spot.
Where: Concerts In Your Car at Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 10 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura, 93001
Tickets: $29 per vehicle; buy online here
Coming up:
Thu., Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.: Despicable Me
Sat., Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Wed., Sept. 23 at 8 p.m.: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Tue., Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.: The Big Lebowski
Wed., Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.: Pretty Woman
Thur., Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.: Jerry Maguire
