Back in 2018, I became a MoviePass member. If you don’t remember MoviePass, allow me to illustrate the absurdity that was its subscription plan: For about $10 a month, you could watch one film in the movie theater, every day.
Yes, you read that correctly. One in-theater movie, per day, for an entire month – all for less than the cost of a cheap oil change.
Listen, I know a bargain when I see one. I also know a steal when I see one. MoviePass definitely fell into the latter category. So, as a frequent moviegoer, I unashamedly became the Butch Cassidy of the theater, with MoviePass being my Sundance Kid. After just 3 months of membership, I wound up watching about 30 new films in the theater, give or take. (As you might have suspected, the bonkers MoviePass business model did not end well, and they filed for bankruptcy almost immediately.)
Fast-forward to 2020. My pandemic-y isolation left me yearning for a trip to the theater. Enter: My local drive-in.
As a thirty-something, I’d always had this romanticized, old-timey image of drive-in movies. The cheesy horror flicks. The hot dogs, pretzels and soda pop. The steamy windows. Yet even as a self-proclaimed cinephile, I’d never actually gone to the drive-in theater – until the summer of 2020.
What does this have to do with MoviePass? I can honestly say that drive-in theaters are almost at MoviePass’s “this can’t be real” level. Not only are you paying a ludicrously low price – the Joplin 66 Drive-In is about $8 per ticket – but your admission gets you two films. It also makes for an excellent family night, if that’s your jam.
Needless to say, having visited my local outdoor theater over a dozen times since 2020, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert. If you plan on joining me, here’s some advice to ensure your drive-in movie adventure goes swimmingly.
What to Bring (& What Not to Bring)
Looking for the ideal drive-in movie car setup? The checklist of things to bring to a drive-in theater can be broken down into three categories: the Must-Haves, the Nice-to-Haves and the Don’t-Needs.
Must-Haves
- Camping chairs
- Water
- Bug spray/repellent
- Napkins/paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Blanket(s)
- Flashlight
- Any dog items (leash, bowls, “poop bags”)
- Portable radio
- Extra batteries
- Jumper cables (there’s always someone who needs a jump start by night’s end)
- Baby items, as needed
- Wet wipes
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothing (sweaters, too)
- Garbage bags
Nice-to-Haves
- Beanbag chairs
- Games to keep the kids entertained
- Towels
- Blow-up mattress (good if you have a truck or large SUV, like the Honda Pilot)
- Utensils (recyclable is best)
- Portable fan
- Cooler
- Cash (some theaters don’t accept cards)
- Cleaning supplies (window cleaner, stain cleaner, etc.)
- Quality car sound system (if not using a portable radio)
Don’t-Needs
- Frisbees, footballs, baseballs, etc. (this isn’t tailgating, and you probably won’t end up using them)
- Disposable toilet (some people seem to think these are necessary...)
- Snacks (purchase from the concession stand)
- An enormous, noisy truck
- Umbrellas
- Generator
Drive-In Movie Theater Etiquette
With your items packed up and ready to go, it’s also important to understand what is expected of you (and what to expect of others). Consider these the “unwritten rules of the drive-in.”
- If you bring a dog, make sure it doesn’t bark incessantly. A noisy, rambunctious dog is the equivalent of a crying baby in a traditional movie theater. No one wants either.
- Turn off your lights. Double check that they’re turned off. Don’t press the brake pedal while parked, as this can activate your rear taillights.
- Don’t throw your trash around. Some drive-in theaters give you a plastic garbage bag – use it.
- If you drive a big, tall vehicle, you should park in one of the back rows. (Imagine Shaq sitting in front of you at an indoor theater.)
- You can’t “save a spot.” Every parking area is first-come, first-served. If you plan on making this a group activity, plan on carpooling or following the leader.
- If you’re planning to see a popular movie on opening night, buy your tickets in advance, if possible.
- One car per spot, no exceptions.
- There’s a good chance that you’ll need some pro reversing skills to get a decent view of the screen – and also to not embarrass yourself. Practice makes perfect, and something like the Honda CR-V multi-angle rearview camera with gridlines can help.
- Don’t smoke while next to other vehicles and moviegoers. It’s not illegal, per se, but it’s certainly not very courteous.
- Keep chit-chat to a minimal volume. It can sometimes be difficult to hear drive-in movie audio, and loud talking makes it worse.
- Bringing your own food is permitted, though it’s recommended that you purchase concessions directly from the theater. They make a majority of their money off these sales. Support your local businesses!
- Don’t leave your vehicle running. It’s loud, wastes gas, and emits pollution. Leaving your engine idling for a long time is also bad for your vehicle. If it’s too hot or cold out, perhaps choose another time to attend, or find a cleverer solution.
- The only audio you should be listening to is the film audio on the drive-in theater’s FM station.
- Arrive early. No one wants a vehicle driving up and down rows in the middle of a movie.
- Keep things “PG,” please.
- If you must leave early, please dim your lights.
- A portable radio may seem unnecessary, but they probably aren’t! Unless you have a premium sound system in your vehicle – good speakers in the back area, for instance – you'll have an easier time hearing the movie from a quality portable radio.
- Keep track of your kids. When the movie starts, the expectation is that kids are all watching, not playing on the playground.
- No drinking. You’ve got to drive after the credits roll!
- Not to toot a certain automaker’s horn, but the Honda Ridgeline is the best vehicle for drive-in theaters. It comes with lots of in-bed features that are perfect for families, including a cooler with drain, power outlet, and even an audio system. You can sit in the bed and have everything within arms reach. In accessory mode, the Ridgeline won’t allow you to run your battery down to the point of it dying, either, so you have extra peace of mind. (Click here to watch Adam Savage transform a Ridgeline into a portable movie theater.)
Time to Go to the Movies!
Now you’re ready to experience the movies like your grandparents did. Sort of. If you need a new vehicle for family outings, including drive-in nights, get directions to Roper Honda in Joplin, MO. We have deals on the Ridgeline, CR-V, and Odyssey – all perfect vehicles for an outdoor movie!
Contact us at (417) 625-0800 to receive a quote or schedule a test drive. Our Joplin car store is located just 10 miles from the 66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage, MO.