In 1933, there was one drive-in theater operating in the
United States. The peak number was in 1958 with 4063.
The number open in 2004 was 417 and today only 12 remain.
The Galaxy Drive-In near Ellis opened a few years ago
and is the first drive-in theater to open in North Texas
in decades. Photos by Webmaster.
ATHENS
Remains of the Trail Drive-In Theater
located near Athens.
CISCO
The Joy Drive-In closed in the late-1970s after opening in 1952. It was
located between Cisco & Eastland on the old Bankhead Hwy. Wesley Walker
owned it for a time. Remains of the theater are unknown.
CLARENDON
The Sandell Drive-In near Clarendon has been in operation over 60 years
DALLAS
Jefferson Drive-In Theater is the only
remaining drive-in around the Dallas
area. It is located at 4506 W. Jefferson
Blvd. in Oak Cliff but will be torn down
in early 2004 to make room for a new school.
This drive-in opened in 1949 and closed in
1987 but reopened in 1989 for a few years.
DALLAS
The Gemini Drive-In was located at North Central Expressway and Forest
Lane. It opened in 1965 and was of the most successful theaters in the
country. The Gemini closed in 1984 and was torn down to become an auto
dealership. The Astro Drive-In and Apollo were also built in 1965.
FORT WORTH
The remains of the Twin Drive-In is
located near Lancaster Ave. in Fort
Worth.
GATESVILLE
The Last Drive-In Picture Show opened in 1950 near Gatesville & operates
year round.
GRAHAM
The Graham Drive-In Theater dates back to 1948 & is open summer weekends.
GRANBURY
The Brazos Drive-In is located near Granbury.
It's over 50 years old and still operating.
LAMESA
The Skyvue Drive-In is located on Hwy. 87S
near Lamesa and does a booming business
on the weekend. It is famous for the
"Chihuahua" sandwich which is also sold
for take-out. The drive-in has recently
closed due to a fire & may not open again.
The grandson of the Skyvue owner has a
a new drive-in near Lubbock.
MERCEDES
The WesMer Drive-In opened in the late 1940s near Mercedes.
MIDLAND
The BigSky Drive-In near Midland uses digital cinema projectors and has a
90-foot-wide screen.
OLDEN
The Dixie Drive-In was located in Olden and closed years ago.
PLANO
The Plano Drive-In was located at Hwy. 75/Parker Road opening
in 1969 and closing in 1984 . A shopping center was built there
after the drive-in was demolished.
RULE
The Tower Drive-In in Rule last closed in 2012.
SAN ANTONIO
The Mission 4 Drive-In was located on Roosevelt Ave. south of downtown
San Antonio. It opened in 1948 and closed in 2007 due to vandals.
SWEETWATER
The Midway Drive-In is located near Sweetwater and is closed.
WACO
Circle Drive-In was built in 1947 and is
located on LaSalle Ave. in Waco. It has
been closed for many years and is now a
flea market.
NEWER DRIVE-INS
Drive-Ins in Texas are making a modest comeback with new ones popping up.
AUSTIN
The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In is a small 50-car boutique theater.
ENNIS
The Galaxy Drive-In opened in 2004 near Ennis.
FORT WORTH
The Coyote Drive-In opened in 2013 & has four screens.
LEWISVILLE
The Coyote Drive-In opened in 2016 & has five screens.
LUBBOCK
The Stars & Stripes Drive-In has three screens & accommodates more
than 1000 cars.
NEW BRAUNFELS
The Stars & Stripes Drive-In opened in 2015 with three screens
& 1000-car capacity.
TYLER
The Sky Vue Drive-In opened in 2007 near Tyler.
