Tennessee Drive-In Movie Theaters
Tennessee is home to 13 drive-in movie theaters, including Stardust, Pink Cadillac, Swingin’ Midway, and Twin City.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- Stardust Drive-In Theater
- Pink Cadillac Drive-In
- Swingin’ Midway Drive-In
- Twin City Drive-In Theatre
- How to find affordable car insurance
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
From the outskirts of Nashville to the campgrounds on its northeast border,
Tennessee
is home to 13 vibrant drive-in theaters, each with a setting, story, and personality of its own.If you’re looking to grab some snacks, kick back, and enjoy the newest releases from the comfort of your car, we’ll help you find a nearby theater. Check out this guide to Tennessee drive-in movie theaters from
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Stardust Drive-In Theater
Address: 310 Purple Tiger Dr, Watertown, TN 37184
Schedule: Open March to November, Friday to Sunday (box office opens at 6 p.m.). Between Memorial Day Weekend and mid-August (when school begins), open 7 days a week!
Ticket Prices: $9 for general admission, $7 for kids 6 to 11, free for kids 5 and under.
Number of Screens: 2
Pet friendly? Yes—pets must be on a leash and are not allowed in the snack bar, lobby, or restrooms.
Founded in 2003, the Stardust combines crystal-clear FM broadcasting with all of the nostalgic elements of a drive-in theater. Plus, it’s just a 20-minute drive from the bustling streets of Nashville!
Movies
The Stardust plays mainly new releases as double features, and they’re open rain or shine. Remember, unless you purchase a ticket for both screens, you won’t be able to screen-hop between films—so pick your screen carefully!
The Stardust encourages guests to arrive an hour before the show starts. This will give you plenty of time to find the perfect parking spot, stop by concessions, and get fired up for the night’s flick. You can buy your ticket using cash, credit, or a debit card.
Pro Tip Although movie pairings are made with the audience’s age in mind, sometimes a family-friendly film will be followed up by one that’s rated R. Be sure to check both features to know if you should gather the kids, grab a sundae for the road, and head out early.
How to hear the movie
To hear the movie, simply tune into the movie’s audio on your car’s FM stereo. If you have a favorite portable radio, you can use that too.
Snacks
Whether you just want a classic tub of buttered popcorn, or you’re planning to dive into a smothered Philly cheesesteak before the movie,
the Stardust has you covered
. The theater boasts a full menu, complete with ice cream treats and a variety of dinner baskets.Pink Cadillac Drive-In
Address: 2506 TN-100, Centerville, TN 37033
Schedule: Open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Closed Tuesday through Thursday. Operates seasonally, from spring through fall.
Ticket Prices: $9 for general admission, free for kids 12 and under.
Number of Screens: 1
A staple of Hickman County, the
Pink Cadillac Drive-In
has been family-owned and operated since 1950.If you live west of Nashville and need a relaxing, rural movie night, the Pink Cadillac is a great option for you. No matter the weather, this drive-in theater shows films that have been requested by loyal fans.
Movies
The Pink Cadillac plays new releases, especially those that are requested by
the theater’s Facebook followers
. You can buy your ticket using cash or credit.For folks who drive large trucks or vans, be sure to park near the back of the theater so that everyone can see. If you don’t want to worry about your view being blocked, think about setting up lawn chairs right in front of your car so that you get a great view of the screen.
How to hear the movie
Tune into 98.5 FM to hear your movie in Dolby Digital Sound. If you don’t want to worry about draining your car’s battery and
needing to jumpstart your car
, you can listen using a portable speaker or boombox!Snacks
The Pink Cadillac has plenty of choices at concessions—popcorn, nachos, and chili cheese dogs, to name a few—so a rumbling stomach won’t ruin your date night.
Swingin’ Midway Drive-In
Address: 2133 TN-30, Athens, TN, 37303
Schedule: Open April through October, and occasionally into November.
Ticket Prices: $7 for general admission, $5 for kids 4 to 11, free for kids 3 and under.
Number of Screens: 1
Pet friendly? Yes—on a leash or inside of your car!
Opened in 1960,
Swingin’ Midway Drive-In
offers a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience, complete with a snack bar and giant playground. Located in Athens, right in between Knoxville and Chattanooga, Swingin’ Midway brings blockbuster movies to the big screen in their spacious outdoor venue.Movies
Swingin’ Midway shows new releases as double features. They take cash or credit as well as digital payments (with a 50 cent convenience fee). Bring your pet to take full advantage of the nearby playground and park!
Gates open at 7 p.m.—arrive early to nab your favorite spot.
Be sure to turn off your car’s lights and take your foot off the brake when the movie starts.
How to hear the movie
Tune into FM 92.1 from your car’s stereo or an FM radio and adjust the volume until you find the perfect sound. If you’re keeping your car running during the show, double-check that all of the lights—interior and exterior—are turned off.
Snacks
Swingin’ Midway has candy, popcorn, and more! The snack bar opens at the same time as the gates and stays open until 15 minutes into the second movie.
Pro Tip If you missed your chance to pick up snacks before the first feature, don’t sweat it! There’s a short intermission between movies, where you can stretch your legs, head to the bathroom, or pick up that box of Junior Mints you’ve been craving.
Twin City Drive-In Theatre
Address: 2512 Volunteer Pkwy, Bristol, TN 37620
Schedule: Open spring through fall.
Ticket Prices: $7 for general admission, $3 for kids 5 to 10, free for kids 4 and under.
Number of Screens: 1
Pet friendly? Yes
Sitting on 29 beautiful, mountainside acres, the
Twin City Drive-In Theatre
has been family-operated since 1949. When the original wooden screen tower was destroyed by a tornado in 1977, friends, relatives, and neighbors worked together to build a new tower within a few days. Not a single weekend of movies was missed!Just a few minutes from the Bristol Motor Speedway, this theater doubles as a campground on racing weekends. If you’re a NASCAR fan—or simply looking for a movie night under the stars—think about swinging by the Twin City Drive-In.
Movies
Twin City Drive-In shows new releases as double features. The theater is cash only, so make sure you have some extra bills on hand.
How to hear the movie
Tune into 102.9 FM, using your car stereo or a portable speaker to listen to the film.
Snacks
Twin City has all of the typical foods you would see at a racetrack—hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and (of course) buttery popcorn.
How to find affordable car insurance
Nothing is more relaxing than a movie night under the stars, leaning back in the safe haven that is your car.
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FAQs
How many drive-ins are left in Tennessee?
As of 2021, there are 13 operating drive-in theaters in Tennessee.
Can I bring my own snacks to a drive-in theater?
Most drive-in theaters ask you not to bring your own snacks. After all, they’re counting on you to buy their fresh-popped popcorn and extra-large slushies to keep their theater running!
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