Frequently Asked Questions

How many open drive-in theaters are there in the world, the US, and Canada today?
Currently there are 517 open drive-ins that we know of operating around the world. There are 396 in United States and 78 in Canada. At their peak in 1958, there were between 4000 and 5000 drive-ins operating in the United States. To get up-to-the-minute counts of open drive-in theaters by state, use the drive-in search tool.

What does the term Ozoner mean and where did it come from?
Starting in 1933, when the first drive-in theater opened, Variety magazine used the term Ozoner to describe an outdoor movie theatre in which the patrons view a film from their automobile. It can also be used to describe people that attend drive-in movie theatres.

How did drive-ins get started? Richard Hollingshead Jr., father of the drive-in movie theater, capitalized on the success of the drive-in restaurant, extending the in-your-car-convenience to include the silver screen. He patented the idea three years after the idea's conception. The first drive-in theater opened in Camden, New Jersey in June 1933.

How was the drive-in invented?
It is said Richard Hollingshead Jr.'s motive was to sell more auto products. After all, that is what Richard Hollingshead did for a living back in the 1930s. And, he theorized, the best way to do this was to establish a place where people could park their cars, enjoy a meal, and watch a movie outdoors.

If you can't find what you're looking for, please send email to presskit@drive-on-in.com or call 702-510-4000, so we can get you to the right place.

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