Since the first drive-in movie opened 85 years ago in Camden, New Jersey, the drive-in experience became a beloved American pastime, peaking in the late 1950s through the 1960s and 1970s. Though their numbers have declined from roughly 4,000 at their height to about 330 today, several well-maintained venues still offer nostalgic outdoor movie nights, including standout locations in South Carolina and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
In Greenwood, South Carolina, the 25 Drive-In Auto Theatre lets a single ticket grant access to films on three separate screens. Home to some of the largest movie screens on the East Coast, the venue is also celebrated for its food. Operated by owners with restaurant experience, the concession menu is notable for a standout cheeseburger and authentic Southern barbecue. The drive-in typically operates Friday through Sunday during the summer months.
Located in the heart of distinguished Thoroughbred country near Aiken, The Big Mo (Monetta Drive-In Theatre) presents double features on three screens each Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Open in spring, summer and fall, the theater enhances the experience with intermission trivia contests between screenings, creating a community-oriented atmosphere that blends classic drive-in charm with family-friendly entertainment.
Highway 21 Drive-In, situated within driving distance of Savannah, Charleston and Hilton Head, offers double features across two screens and serves specialty coffee drinks that complement its movie lineup. The theater focuses on a mix of first-run releases and family favorites and tends to operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Beaufort, South Carolina.
These drive-ins preserve an iconic form of entertainment—outdoor screenings, retro concessions and a social atmosphere where families and friends gather in cars, on tailgates or under the stars. While the nationwide count of drive-ins has fallen, the surviving theaters continue to attract audiences seeking a nostalgic evening out, regional cuisine, and the simple pleasure of watching movies in an open-air setting.