10 Best Drive-In Movie Theaters in California [2026 Complete Guide]
Drive-In movies are a perfect family-fun activity, especially during the summertime. People can watch a movie with snacks from the coziness of their cars and listen via FM radio channels. Even with a double feature ticket, watching favorite films under the starry sky is a great summer activity.
Drive-in movie theaters in California, USA, and other parts of Southern California are famous for their fun year-round.
Many theater owners have modified this popular American fun time into something special. They use the space for swap meets during the daytime and as a Drive-In theater at night. Watching a film has become more entertaining as you can shop from local vendors and antique dealers in these open markets.
Experience classic drive-in movie theaters in California, such as Paramount Drive-In Theatres and Vineland Drive-in in Barstow. Enjoy movie showtimes at Mission Tiki Drive-In and Arena Rubidoux Drive-In for a nostalgic cinema experience.
List Of 10 Top CA Drive-In Movie Theaters
1. Electric Dusk Drive-in, Glendale, CA
Electric Dusk Drive-In is the most popular drive-in movie theatre in Glendale. This outdoor theatre has been relocated several times. Currently, it’s situated on North Central Avenue. People can watch recent releases, as well as old retro and classic movies, throughout the year. The theater uses radio signals to transmit the film’s audio.
The theater’s official website shows the detailed schedule of movies they will play. The ambiance is perfect for enjoying a classic under the starry sky. People can even bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the ASTROTURF. You can rent the theater for private events like parties, school programs, and church celebrations.
Electric Dusk Drive-in Ticket Price
- The price varies from $8 to $75 depending on the type of seating and car parking.
- $8 for single-person entry fees
- $20 for a car.
- VIP tickets for $75 for a car with 1-4 passengers.
- For ASTROTURF, $13 per person and $20 for two people. Cars are not allowed in ASTROTURF. People have to bring their lawn chairs.
- Date night snack packs are available for $30.
- Refunds are available up to a single day before the event.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 236 N. Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91203
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2. Eat-see-hear at the Autry, Griffith Park
Eat See Hear is conducted by The Los Angeles Times during the Summer and Fall seasons throughout LA and different cities in California. The daily celebration includes various movie screenings, music performances, and pop-ups.
Visitors enjoy these events with delicious food from different food trucks. These tracks are associated with the LA Times for this event throughout the Summer and Fall. Movies vary from classic retro ones to the latest releases.
It’s quite an experience to watch a movie on a 52-foot inflatable screen with surround sound. It’s the largest outdoor movie screen in LA. Movie screenings take place at different popular locations.
One of those is the Autry Museum in Griffith Park of Glendale. It’s also the biggest pet-friendly function in LA. The profit from this event is used to support animal well-being. Adoption is also encouraged in these events.
Eat-see-hear at the Aunty in Griffith Park Ticket Price
Entry fees and the prices of food and beverages are updated on The Los Angeles Times’s official website every year. Interested people can check out their website for advanced booking of seats and choice of meal.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States
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3. Hollywood Legion Theater Drive-In, North Highland Ave
Hollywood Legion Theater is one of CA’s most celebrated indoor and Drive-in movie theaters. It is best to watch the latest film screening under the starry sky. The theater’s official website updates the schedule and showtimes.
Hollywood Legion Theater Drive-In Ticket Price
The theater’s website updates details on movie schedules and ticket prices. People should check out the price and film schedules before visiting the theater.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 2035 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90068
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4. Vineland Drive-In, CA
Vineland Drive-In movie theater is popular for the latest movie screenings. Retro and classic movies are played on weekdays. Weekends are for multiple screenings of the latest releases. People do enjoy the fresh snacks available in the movie theater.
FM radios are essential for watching movies here. People can bring their radio, use car radios, or buy from the snack counters. Films are broadcast via the FM Dolby Stereo Sound channel.
Vineland Drive-In Ticket Price
- The price for general admission for adults is $10, and for children between 5 to 9 years, it’s $4. Entry is free for children under 5 years old.
- Prices for beverages, snacks, and combo packs are updated on the theater website.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 443 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry, CA
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5. Paramount Drive-In Theatres, Paramount, CA
Paramount Drive-in movie theater has elevated the outdoor film screening experience to a new level. Visit this open theater to watch a film on a 75-foot giant movie screen with BARCO digital LASER projection and FM radio sound, which gives goose bumps. The snack counters have been expanded with new varieties.
The premise is also available for private parties and private screenings. For this, interested people must provide materials for display at least a day before the screening.
Paramount Drive-In Theatres Ticket Price
- The entry fee for adults and children aged 9 and above is $11. For children aged 5-9 years, the entry fee is $5.
- Children under 5 years old enter free.
- Tickets are available only at the theater’s entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The prices of snacks and beverages are updated on the website.
- Premises rental prices and the cost of other utilities are updated on the official website. Interested people need to contact the authorities to discuss these matters.
Number of Screens: multiple screens
Address: 7770 Rosecrans Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723
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6. Roadium Drive-In, Torrance, CA
A visit to Roadium is the best way to plan your family holiday. People can shop from the open market and enjoy snacks and meals. The famous Michelaguas is worth a try. In addition, the authorities are organizing drive-in movie nights this summer.
The price and movie schedules are updated on the official website. The theater opens at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Private events are organized there. Films are broadcast through FM radio sound.
Roadium Drive-In Ticket Price
Parking a car with a driver is $1 on weekdays and $4 on weekends. The entry fees for film theaters are available on the official website. People planning a trip to the shopping center must check this information.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 2500 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Torrance, CA 90504, United States
7. Mission Tiki Drive-In, Montclair, CA
Mission Tiki Drive-in in Montclair is one of CA’s oldest-running drive-in outdoor theaters. In 2006, the theater was refurbished and remodeled with a Tiki Hut theme. A Tiki garden is also created on the premises. The weekly swap meet of this drive-in theater is a popular attraction for many.
Vendors and locals gather here to buy and sell the market’s antiques, handmade products, and hand-me-down items. It is one of the oldest and biggest open markets in California.
The movie theater starts screening at 8 p.m. The theater is equipped with the latest technology available for open theaters, like a large digital display and FM transmitter sounds. People can enjoy delicious local delicacies alongside popular snacks from the counters.
Mission Tiki Drive-In Ticket Price
The official webpage of Mission Tiki Drive-In has been updated with details on movie screening times and schedules, as well as ticket prices and entry fees. Visitors must buy tickets only at the entrance.
Number of Screens: 4
Address: 10798 Ramona Ave, Montclair, CA 91763, United States
8. Van Buren Drive-In Theatre, Los Angeles
Van Buren Drive-in is a perfect California Orange Ranch-themed Drive-in theater in CA. The open shop market and advanced theater setup are perfect for a family holiday. It’s one of the oldest drive-in movie theaters in California. The theater was remodeled a decade ago with modern technologies, such as digital projection, marquees, box offices, snack counters, and FM radio transmission.
Weekly swap meets are organized on the premises to align with Riverside’s local culture. The ticket includes the double feature. However, people can leave after the first show if they want to.
Van Buren Drive-In Theatre Ticket Price
The ticket price for adults and children over 9 years is $10; for kids ages 5 to 9, it’s $1. Entry is free for children under 5 years old.
Number of Screens: Multiple
Address: 3035 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, 92503
9. Rubidoux Drive-In, Riverside
The old theater was remodeled a couple of years ago with a digital display, LASER projection, FM transmission, a modern snack counter, and other amenities.
A Swap market has also been added to the premises, and private parties are hosted with limited attendance. Interested people must contact the authorities before their events. The theater’s official website is updated with the movie schedules for the upcoming weeks.
Rubidoux Drive-In Ticket Price
The entry fee for adults and children aged 9 and above is $10. For kids aged between 5-9 years, it’s $1. Children below 5 years can enter for free.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 3770 Opal St, Riverside, CA 92509, United States
10. Gardena Drive-In Cinema, Gardena, California
Gardena is a single-screen retro movie screening hall in Gardena, California. The movie theater is nearly six decades old. In 2020, the theater opened a drive-in in the parking lot and closed the indoor hall. The movie schedule and other details are updated on the cinema hall’s official website.
Gardena Drive-In Cinema Ticket Price
The ticket price is between $25 to $35, depending on the number of visitors.
Number of Screens: 1
Address: 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249, United States
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Conclusion
People of CA love movie nights more than anything. Media houses and event organizers set up drive-in movie nights at different parks, parking lots, and open spaces during the spring and summer seasons. People can enjoy retro classics and old-time movies with their families here. The Drive-in Movie Theaters in California also feature current releases throughout the year. People can even book these theaters for private movie nights.
