About South Drive-in Theater
South Drive-in Theater offers a highly affordable and nostalgic family entertainment experience, allowing families to enjoy two movies for the price of one in a relaxed, car-centric setting. It prioritizes safety and cleanliness, operates year-round, and uniquely permits guests to bring their own food, coolers, and even grills (for a small fee), providing a stress-free alternative to traditional theaters.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Budget-conscious families looking for an affordable outing (two movies for one price).Families seeking a nostalgic and classic drive-in experience.Parents with young children who benefit from a private, comfortable viewing space (their car).Weekend family entertainment.Groups wanting a flexible movie-watching experience where they can bring their own amenities.
Why families love it
- Affordable admission to two movies for one ticket ($12 per adult).
- Option to listen to movie audio through car radio or provided speakers.
- Ability to bring your own food and drinks, including coolers.
- Option to bring your own grill for a small additional fee.
- Clean restrooms, which is noted as exceptional for an outdoor venue.
- Well-stocked snack bar offering hot food like pizza and sandwiches.
Insider tips
- Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to showtime on weekends to avoid long lines for entry and concessions.
- Bring a cooler with your own snacks, drinks, or a full meal to save money and avoid concession lines.
- Consider stopping at a fast-food restaurant on the way for dinner.
- Dress warmly with blankets and leg warmers if attending during colder months, as they operate year-round.
- Bring lawn chairs to sit outside your vehicle or use a truck bed for elevated viewing.
- Park strategically to avoid being behind very tall trucks or SUVs that might block your view.
Good to know before you go
- Arriving right at movie start time on weekends due to guaranteed long entry and concession lines.
- Expecting pristine, modern restroom facilities (they are clean but dated).
- If projection quality and perfect sound are your absolute highest priorities and you are sensitive to potential, albeit rare, technical glitches (as reported by one reviewer).
- Parking directly behind oversized vehicles if you prefer an unobstructed view.
- Lines for entry can get very long on weekends, requiring early arrival (45+ minutes prior).
- Crowds
- Weekends are busy, resulting in long lines to enter the venue and for concessions.
- Value
- Excellent value at $12 per adult, which includes admission to two movies, often described as 'half the price of a traditional theater.' There is a small additional fee if you wish to bring and use your own grill. The ability to bring your own food and drinks further enhances the overall value and helps control costs.
- Food
- Outside food and drinks are explicitly allowed, and bringing coolers is encouraged.
- Accessibility
- No specific ADA accommodations are mentioned, but the drive-in format inherently allows individuals to remain in their personal vehicles, which can be beneficial for various mobility needs.
- Safety
- Safety is a stated priority, with observations of no speeding cars and a respectful crowd.
What parents say
"The south drive in is our home on the weekends! We're movie buffs, with littles, and this is a sweet spot. Conveniently located on the edge of town next to all of your favorite food places. Safety is a priority and it shows. Never any speeding cars, no fights, everyone is respectful and can we talk about CLEAN restrooms? For being an outdoor theater they take pride in keeping facilities clean and comfortable! Snack bar is always fully loaded and kitchen staff is ready to rock your orders of pizza, sammiches and more! What I also love is they intend on being open as many days of the year as pos"
3 weeks ago
"If you want to experience nostalgia, treat the kids to a stress free movie experience, or see a couple of movies for half the price of a theater, this would be the place. Price $12 per adult. There are 2 screens so the choice is convenient. If you are going on the weekend, I would suggest going around 45 minutes prior to the start of the movie. The line to get in can get backed up pretty far. You can pay through the website or at the gate (cash or card). You can listen with speakers or through your radio tuned to the appropriate station. We tried to go to the concession, but the line was pret"
9 months ago
"Went to see #Sinners . It was to blurry to see and the speakers were buzzing. Looked like a bootleg to me. Hate that we wasted money there!"
in the last week
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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