Pack up the family — plus chairs, blankets and snacks — and enjoy a movie under the stars this summer. Find a drive-in theater or an outdoor flick from the list below.
Know Before You Go:
-Check the event organizer’s website for information about what you’re allowed to bring onto the property such as food, drinks and adult beverages. You may also want to look into their pet policy to see if your furry family members are allowed to come.
-Arrive early! There may be entertainment such as live music going on before the movie starts. Some families play card games or throw a ball around before the movie. Glow sticks are also fun for small children.
-Familiarize yourself with how to adjust your vehicle’s audio settings and automatic lights. Drive-ins require you run the movie audio from your vehicle’s speakers. You can also tune into a portable FM radio. Vehicle lights are not allowed on during the movie.
-Some places may require advanced reservations, registration or allow you to reserve a premier viewing spot
Things to pack for a drive-in or outdoor movie:
- Chairs (portable lawn chairs or low beach chairs work well)
- Sweatshirts or jackets
- Blankets and pillows
- Pajamas (great for small children who will fall asleep midway through or on the drive home)
- Bug repellent
- Drinks and snacks *(some drive-ins may charge a fee if you bring your own food)
- Portable FM radio, portable Bluetooth speaker to run additional audio
- Portable battery charger
- Glow sticks, easy outdoor lawn games, card games, football or soccer ball
- Cash for concession stand goodies or food trucks
- Small trash bag
- Napkins and baby wipes for messy hands
- Flash light
- Other: air mattress for a truck bed, air loungers, tarp (if grass is damp)
Drive-In Theaters Around Northeast Ohio
Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theatre: Make a visit to “the drive-in” a part of your summer tradition. Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 33395 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville, 440-327-9595, autoramadrivein.com
Blue Sky Drive-in: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 959 Broad St., Wadsworth, 330- 334-1809, blueskydrive-in.com
Elm Road Drive–in Theatre: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 1895 Elm Road NE, Warren, elmroadtripledrivein.com
Magic City Drive-in Theatre: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Barberton, magiccitydrive-in.com
Mayfield Road Drive-in Theatre: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 12100 SR 322 Chardon, funflick.com
Midway Twin Drive-in Theatre: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 2736 State Route 59, Ravenna, funflick.com
Skyway Drive-in Theatre: Check their website for weekly movie lineup and start times. 1825 North Leavitt Road NW, Warren, skywaydrivein.com
Lynn Auto Drive-in Theatre, State Routes 21 & 25o, Strasburg, lynndrivein.com/
Outdoor Movies Around Northeast Ohio
Crocker Park – Movies in the Park. Catch a fantastic lineup of family-friendly classics and new releases. Thursday evenings through September 3, Beginning at sundown (around 9 p.m.) Union Square Lawn, Crocker Park. 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com
Hudson “Screen on the Green”
Bring your blankets and chairs; movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. The next movie is August 15 ‘Hook” at First & Main Green, Hudson. hudson.oh.us/calendar
Lakewood Friday Night Flicks – On select Friday nights, starting at dusk at the Lakewood Park, guests can bring chairs, blankets, pillows, snacks, and drinks to enjoy these nighttime movies. Look for one Friday Night Flick event takes place at Madison Park on August 7. lakewoodoh.gov/
Flicks on the Falls. Located in the riverfront amphitheater, these free summer events begin at 6:30. The movie starts as dusk. Falls River Square, Cuyahoga Falls,
cityofcf.com/events/flix-falls-0
Willoughby Outdoor Movie Nights. Enjoy a free movie night under the stars. 6:30 pm on the lawn next to Willoughby Library. willoughbyohio.com/calendar