If you've been reading Daily Dead since we first opened, you know that I love catching horror movie marathons at the drive-in. Of course, it's great to see original prints of classic horror movies on the big screen, but there's a community aspect that's unlike anything you'll see at a regular movie theater and I'm always making new friends.

Unfortunately, drive-ins have had a real hump to get over the last few years with the push to digital projectors, making the low number of operational drive-ins even lower. Thankfully, there have been some great efforts to support these locations and it seems like there's a real push to preserve and expand this experience for a new generation.

USA Drive-Ins announced that they're working with Johnny Rockets and other partners to bring the drive-in experience to moviegoers across the country at special events, such as Comic-Con, DragonCon, and more:

"USA Drive-Ins today announced a major initiative to bring back the classic American Drive-in. “We understand that there are many people in America that have never been exposed to a drive-in,” tells Bruce Taffet, Director of USA Drive-ins. “Because of that we believe that it’s time we introduce the fun and economy of a drive-in to them.” To that end together with a group of seasoned organizers, Johnny Rockets, and USA Drive-ins is launching a major initiative to bring the classic American Drive-in to movie fans.

Throughout the next year movie fans will have movies brought to them, through a a nationwide series of film screenings targeting events like Indy Pop Con, DragonCon, Wizard World, Comic Con and other major fan conventions. “Imagine a warm summer night, you and a couple hundred of your closest friends watching a movie under the stars, combined with great Johnny Rockets burgers...it will be an amazing time,” says Justin Beahm, Roadshow Coordinator for USA Drive-ins.

USA Drive-ins and Johnny Rockets are in partnership to re-invigorate American culture, by combining amazing movies with great food in great outdoor environments.” This is a natural for us,” says James Walker president of Johnny Rockets. “Our Route 66 Food Truck initiative combined with the efforts of USA Drive-ins is really going to re-ignite American Drive-in culture.”

The drive-in's peak popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with some 4,000 drive-ins spread across the United States. Among its advantages was the fact that a family with a baby could take care of their child while watching a movie, while teenagers with access to autos found drive-ins ideal for dates.

With the escalation of land prices, drive-in theatres began their decline. Today only about 370 remain in business throughout the USA.

Look out for USA Drive-ins/Johnny Rockets events ….bringing back great summer drive-in experiences starting in May 2015."

Source: Justin Beahm
  • Jonathan James
    About the Author - Jonathan James

    After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.

    As the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan is responsible for bringing the latest horror news to millions of readers from around the world. He is also consulted with as an expert on zombies in entertainment and pop culture, providing analyses of the zombie sub-genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention attendees.