You probably remember visiting a drive-in—all the kids piled in the car in their pj’s with blankets, the movie projected on a giant screen in a field with the sound tuned into the FM radio. And while our kids are pretty much only familiar with visits to fancy AMC’s with reclining chairs and table service, this old school favorite made a comeback last year during the pandemic when people were looking for a safe way to watch movies with their families, and they’ve been so popular that they are sticking around.
The following are some of NJ and the surrounding areas’ drive-ins you and your fam may want to visit for a night out of the house—no babysitter required.
Barnegat
Down on Barnegat Public Dock, Barnegat Drive-In Movies will be playing classic family movies for all kids to enjoy from Hocus Pocus to Wall-E! They’ll all be playing at dusk, so you’ll be able to enjoy the summer night sky. Movies will be free for everyone, though ice cream and refreshments will be sold.
Cranford
Cranford Theater Drive-In, every Friday and Saturday, will be hosting a drive-in movie right next to the county pool. Come and enjoy their weekly movie, which is always a fun time. They’ll be selling refreshments and recommend making your orders beforehand & online. For tickets, it will be $25 per car.
Hillsdale
Demarest Farms in Bergen County is hosting a drive-in beginning June 10 with old school movies every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights until August 29. The family farm, which also operates pick-your-own and a haunted orchard, will charge $25 per car for entry. Social distancing rules will be in place, and many screenings are already sold old so make sure you get tickets right away!
Newark
Showing carefully-chosen movies surrounding African-American filmmakers, Newark Moonlight Cinema will be opening back up again for drive-in movies. Concessions will be open for all types of food from wings to pizza and 10 types of candy. Tickets will be $13 per adult and $9 per kid between 4 & 12.
Roxbury Township
Mega Bite Movies are launching their pop-up drive-in at Horseshoe Lake in Roxbury Township on August 22. Get your tickets before they sell out! They’ll be playing the iconic movie, The Princess Bride. If you’re looking for sooner movies or later ones, they also have some in the Bronx.
Vineland
The Delsea Drive-In Theatre, NJ’s vintage drive-in originally built in 1949, is all open for the season till August 20. All movies have double (or triple!) features and tickets, available for purchase on their website, are $11 for ages 4 and up. Make sure to get your tickets early!
Warwick, NY
Just across the border in New York, the Warwick Drive-In is showing a variety of movies and is playing double features of all the new movies. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children 4-11 and little ones under 4 are free. They are open every night, rain or shine.
Has a drive-in popped up in your town? Let us know in the comments.
# drive-in movie # drive-in movie