Last Updated on April 14, 2024
Did you know there are still four original drive-in movie theaters in Florida? Let’s all support them so younger generations can experience this taste of nostalgia.
One of the best ways to tie the past with the present is to visit a drive-in movie theatre. In their heyday (the 1950s), drive-ins were all the rage.
Whether it was a romantic date or a family outing, a trip to the drive-in was (and still is) a fun, affordable experience.
As with so many things in life, technology has raised the bar regarding the movie-going experience. The number of drive-in movie theaters in the USA today has gone from thousands to a couple hundred.
Only four originals currently remain in the Sunshine State. Although they are hard to come by, something very comforting happens when you find one.
It brings back a lot of fond memories. And, let’s face it, where else can you catch a double feature (most have first-run films) for $6.00 to $9.00 per person?
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Help Keep Drive-In Theaters Alive
In many ways, the emotional connection with yesteryear keeps these gems alive.
If you travel to one of these drive-in movie theaters in Florida, please remember that the concession purchases preserve these historic landmarks.
So, please don’t smuggle in your own treats. Venture out of your vehicle to the concession stand to select your movie-going grub (popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, candy, soda, etc.).
How To Enjoy A Drive-In Movie
Bring Cash for the Snack Bar
A trip to the snack bar is truly part of the whole drive-in experience. Most locations are cash-only locations.
Keep Bug Spray in Your Car
You will be happy you have it with you as bugs can distract from the positive experience.
Bring Chairs with You
If the weather is nice, you can crank up your radio and sit outside to watch the film.
Do Not Leave Your Headlights or Parking Lights On or Put Your Foot on the Brake
These things are a distraction to those around you.
Remaining Drive-In Movie Theaters in Florida
1. Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre – Lakeland
The Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre has been around for more than 75 years. When it opened, it was promoted as “Florida’s newest, most modern outdoor theatre.”
The theatre added a second screen in 1985, showing double features seven days a week ever since.
Silver Moon is the last drive-in movie theatre in Polk County about an hour west of Orlando. That makes it the closest drive-in to Central Florida’s main theme parks/attractions.
Silver Moon remains a popular destination and lines can get long. Patrons are encouraged to show up early to ensure they get a spot.
The sound from the movies comes through your FM car radio. However, they also have in-car speakers available in some rows (which is very retro).
In the past, vendors would circulate among the cars, selling candy, soft drinks, popcorn, sandwiches, and cigarettes. That service is no longer available.
A trip to the concession stand should be part of your drive-in adventure. We recommend ordering the chilly dilly pickle, one of the most sought-after snack bar treats.
The drive in is also a Swap Shop on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 5 am.
Tickets are $8.00 (ages 10+), $3 (ages 4-9), and FREE for under 4.
Silver Moon Drive-In Address: 4100 New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland, FL 33815
While in the Lakeland area, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Lakeland and A Tour of Florida Southern College: Celebrating Frank Lloyd Wright
2. Joy-Lan Drive-In – Dade City
Owned by the same people who own Silver Moon in Lakeland, Joy-Lan opened its doors on Halloween in 1950 and is the only remaining drive-in movie theatre in Pasco County.
This theater is open every Wednesday through Sunday (closed on Monday and Tuesday) and shows first-run films.
Unfortunately, Joy-Lan has had a few challenges over the years. In 2000, the snack bar caught on fire, but was remodeled and has remained in good standing ever since.
Three years later, a storm destroyed some of the screens. This happened just a few weeks before they were converting from 35mm to a digital format.
They fixed the screen and proceeded with the digital installation. All has been well ever since at Joy-Lan (let’s not jinx it!)
Joy-Lan is also home to a popular Swap Shop on Sundays starting at 5:00 am and offers great breakfast options.
While in Dade City, stop by the Pioneer Museum, stroll the antique shops downtown, and have lunch at one of the many authentic and delicious restaurants near the Historic Pasco County Courthouse.
If you need more suggestions of things to do, swing by the Dade City Chamber of Commerce. The staff is a wealth of information.
Tickets are $8.00 (ages 10+), $3 (ages 3-9), and Free for under 4.
Joy-Lan Drive-In Address: 16414 US-301, Dade City, FL 33523
Before you head out to Joy-Lan, check out: A Day Trip to Authentic Dade City.
3. Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre – Ruskin
This Ruskin Family Drive-in opened in 1952. It truly sticks to its original traditions.
The drive-in thrives on its family-friendly atmosphere and values … and doesn’t care if anyone thinks they are uncool.
“No drugs, no alcohol, and no rowdiness permitted in this theater,” is an announcement commonly made by the owner, Ted.
This theatre is quintessentially reminiscent of a bygone era. It’s always wise to arrive early, especially on weekends.
Kids often gather and play touch football or tag before the movie starts near the front of the screen.
The theater always show first-run double features. They never show X-rated or NC-17-rated films.
They allow you to bring your dogs if you keep them on a leash, they do not bark, and you clean up after them.
No motorcycles or RVs are ever allowed in the drive-in.
They genuinely are traditionalists at Ruskin … even at the snack bar. In fact, the owners are so set on traditions that they have been using the same Wisconsin cheese supplier for their pizzas for over 50 years.
They also offer affordable popcorn, burgers, hot dogs, and other movie treats.
We’ve heard that Karen makes a killer chili and pulled pork sandwich, so if you see they are offering either item, grab them.
The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre is open every night.
The prices are $7.00 for everyone (9+) and $2.00 for children (5 – 8) for two movies.
They only accept cash. They also charge $5.00 per vehicle if you bring outside food.
Note: They have ” take out” available, which means you can stop by just for food to take home without purchasing a movie ticket – This is yet another one of their over 50-year traditions.
Check out the snack back menu.
Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre Address: 5011 N U.S. Hwy 41, Ruskin, FL 33572
While in the Ruskin area, check out: Pick a Piece of Florida’s Citrus History at Dooley Groves, and The Showmen’s Museum is the Epicenter of Carnival History.
4. Ocala Drive-In Theatre – Ocala
The Ocala Drive-In’s screens have gone dark three times in its history, and its window speakers silenced. Each time – once in 2003, 2011, and more recently due to flooding being redirected from a mobile home area – the theatre has been resurrected.
Caring owners have spruced it up, improved the technology, and found a market for the beloved drive-in tradition.
This drive-in movie theater in Florida shows two first-run films on two screens. Ocala patrons tune in to a local FM radio station for clear movie sound.
Any movie theatre that offers Muffaletta sandwiches and Cajun Boiled Peanuts on the menu earns a round of applause.
You also gotta love any business that is authentic enough to spell out exactly how much money they make off every movie ticket sold.
As we mentioned before, movie theatres (especially independently owned ones) make their money off concession purchases, and right on their website, the Ocala Drive-In spells it all out:
“As much as 80% of the ticket sales goes to the film company, which means we make approx. $1.20 for Adults and .60 for kids. This does not cover the operating expenses of the drive-in. Without the sales of the concession, we would have to be like the other theatres and charge a much, much higher price and only give you one movie.”
So, there you have it … straight from the horse’s mouth, which is appropriate since it is in Ocala (“Horse Country”).
The Ocala Drive-In is open every night and shows two films for the price of one. Gates open at 7:30 pm.
The ticket prices are $6.00 for adults (13+), $3.00 for children (6-12), and under 5 are free.
The Ocala Drive-In Address: 4850 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34480
While in the area, check out: 36+ Fun Things to Do in Ocala in 2024.
Other Authentic Florida articles you may enjoy:
- A Journey Back to the ’20s: Valerie Theatre
- Film Festivals in Florida Celebrate Indie Movies
- Florida Keys Film Tells Heartwarming Story
- An Authentic Piece of Film History: Gateway Cinema
- A Pitstop at the Pippi Longstocking House in Fernandina Beach
- Spotlight on 7 Ties Elvis Presley had to Florida
- 8 Unique and Historic Theatres in Florida
There is 1 in Jacksonville. I’ve been to it a few times.
Hi Tashima! If you are talking about Sun-Ray, which opened during COVID, that one is great! However, this article focused on the old drive-in theaters’ that have been around for decades. Sadly, there are only a few remaining. On a side note, we did talk about Sun-Ray Cinema in this article: https://authenticflorida.com/things-to-do-in-downtown-jacksonville/.