Drive-In Cinemas are Having a Comeback — Entertainment News

With increasing property prices, many wonder if drive-in cinemas can survive. However, it seems the popular entertainment of the 1970s and 1980s is coming back.

Drive-In Cinemas Are Back in Style

Remember the times when all it took to have fun on a Saturday night was a car and some snacks? It looks like simple night-outs are appealing to Aussies like never before, and one of the most popular leisure activities is visiting drive-in cinemas. Venues where the audience can watch movies under the night sky are making a comeback.

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The Appeal of the Drive-in Cinematic Experience, like in the '80s.

Anyone who has ever lived through the Australian heat might struggle to understand the allure of drive-ins. The scorching temperatures, the bugs, and the occasional suboptimal view of vehicles or heads are definitely not selling it.

Yet, younger generations seem to be struck by nostalgia for times they have never experienced. Their interest in vintage fashion and artisan brands has been piqued, and they are craving analogue experiences combined with their passion for TikTok and other social media.

Drive-Ins: Family-Friendly Entertainment on a Budget

Gen X and Millennials see other benefits. Besides, certain drive-ins, such as the Yatala Drive-In Theatre at Stapylton, have diners that serve old-fashioned fast food at affordable prices.

Speaking of prices, in the era of the global recession we live in, ticket cost is also a major selling point. The Tivoli Drive-In Theatre in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, charges only 15 AUD per car for two new release movies. In comparison, an average adult ticket will set viewers back 10 AUD. According to Pastor Fred Muys who runs the Tivoli Drive-In, the shows get sold out on summer days, holidays and during school breaks.

The Affordable Nostalgia of Drive-Ins

Dr Nicolas Pontes, UQ senior business lecturer, explains many things that were regular activities across Australia, have now become a luxury treat. Drive-ins are among the very few types of entertainment that manage to fight inflation and keep prices low, but the question remains for how long. With rising real estate prices, such empty spaces have become valuable, so many owners ditch the business to enjoy the benefits of selling the land.

Australian Drive-In Cinemas in Numbers

In the 1970s, and 1980s, drive-ins were synonymous with entertainment in Australia. At their peak, 330 running venues were often full 7 nights a week.

First Drive-In in Australia	Skyline in Melbourne, 1954
Longest Running Drive-In	Dromana Drive In, Dromana
Peak amount of Drive-Ins	330 (1970s)
Current amount of Drive-Ins	12

With the rise of video cassettes, DVDs, and now streaming, the numbers have dropped to devastating levels.

Just a Fad or Something More?

Some might say that drive-ins are going down as they are not inclusive. Still, owners invite viewers to bring their blankets and have a picnic while watching the latest blockbusters and rom-coms. Others complain about the lack of healthy snacking options, but it is important to understand greasy popcorn is essential to the experience. After a brief increase in visits during the pandemic, drive-ins are, once again, proving there is still room for them in modern-day Australia. Although new locations are not opening, the ones that survived are alive and kicking.