Back to the Drive-In

Released Aug 12, 2022

1h 45m

Documentary

List

93%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

When the pandemic hit, drive-ins were suddenly the only safe venue in town, with press coverage about how drive-ins are "back," and how they are thriving. But this documentary goes behind the headlines to learn the truth, spending a whole night with 11 very different drive-ins in 8 states all over the country, from preparations before the customers arrive, to selling tickets, opening the snack bar, and getting the movie on screen, we discover these family-owned businesses are actually struggling to survive. This doc is about authentic drive-ins and the passionate people who run them, but more broadly it highlights questions about the future of the theatrical experience, and the challenges of many small businesses wondering whether they will survive and make it to the other side of the pandemic.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Wright's movie is a love letter to drive-ins, ending with a plea to help save them. But unfortunately, it's also a reminder of complicating factors inherent in making movies about them.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

Joel Fisher

Battle Royale With Cheese

There are enough stories and unusual encounters to keep things interesting

Apr 7, 2023

Full Review

Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Watching movies in cars with piped-in sound while dining on greasy, carb-heavy convenience foods is the utter definition of nostalgic Americana.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 29, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Whistles its way down a nostalgic movie path.

Rated: B

Mar 24, 2023

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Visits 11 drive-ins over the course of the summer of 2021, to see how they were grappling with the era when standard theaters and new movies were once again serving as competition.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 19, 2023

Full Review

Frank Wilkins

Reel Reviews

An immersive look at the passionate nerds who make it their mission to preserve a cherished piece of Americana

Rated: 3/5

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sheryl L

I was drawn into the stories of how people got hooked into their passion for running a drive-in and was rooting for them all to survive and prosper by the end. The story progression was well done, switching back and forth between drive-ins on a Saturday from prep, to sundown, to the end of the show night.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/22

Full Review

Retro R

Bunch of shorts about different drive ins. Failed to honestly address the many elephants in the room. People for the most part don't bother with drive ins anymore. Thing of the car crazy 50s. Modern bucket seats mean only two people(when you pay" car load prices". Too hot, too cold. Bugs. Bad weather. Dead batteries. Kids running around. You go once to check it out, or talk about how great they were, but never go again. Most are owned by aging daydreamers, who's children are just waiting to sell the land, which is usually worth 10 times what the drive in will make in a lifetime.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/01/23

Full Review

t b

i did not like this film, it created an uneasy atmpsphere in the cinema that made the viewing experience unpelasant

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/23

Full Review

Douglas P

I liked this movie, even my Wife who doesn't like documentaries. We will try to visit at least one of the featured drive-inn theaters.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

April Wright

Director

April Wright

Writer

April Wright

Producer

Ryan Bury

Executive Producer

James Andrew Felts

Executive Producer

Stacey Souther

Executive Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Cats of Malta

100%

93%

Cats of Malta

TRAILER

for Cats of Malta

Only in Theaters

89%

97%

Only in Theaters

Spettacolo

93%

100%

Spettacolo

TRAILER

for Spettacolo

Fairways to Happiness

100%

%

Fairways to Happiness

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

95%

96%

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

TRAILER

for Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When the pandemic hit, drive-ins were suddenly the only safe venue in town, with press coverage about how drive-ins are "back," and how they are thriving. But this documentary goes behind the headlines to learn the truth, spending a whole night with 11 very different drive-ins in 8 states all over the country, from preparations before the customers arrive, to selling tickets, opening the snack bar, and getting the movie on screen, we discover these family-owned businesses are actually struggling to survive. This doc is about authentic drive-ins and the passionate people who run them, but more broadly it highlights questions about the future of the theatrical experience, and the challenges of many small businesses wondering whether they will survive and make it to the other side of the pandemic.

Director: April Wright
Producer: April Wright
Screenwriter: April Wright
Distributor: Going Attractions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 14, 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m

Most Popular at Home Now