SEATTLE — Maybe it's movie-induced nostalgia, but there is something undeniably special about heading to a drive-in theater, cozying up with friends or family and watching a film under the stars.
Add a nice burger, fries and a milkshake and we have an ideal summer night. (This is an objective fact!)
For Washingtonians wanting to try something new this summer, we have several drive-in and outdoor theaters across western Washington to check out.
- Location: Bremerton, Wash.
- Price: General admission: $12; Kids 12 and under and seniors 55 and up: $7; Kids under 5: Free
- Payment options: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards for admission, concession and gift card purchases
- Hours: Friday and Saturday start at 7 p.m., Sunday starts at 8 p.m. The show starts at about 9:30 p.m.
- Upcoming films: Kingdom of the Planet Apes (playing now), The Fall Guy (playing now), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (playing now), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24), Inside Out 2 (June 14), Deadpool and Wolverine (July 26)
- Food: Rodeo Drive-in has a full-service "Concession Central," with food like burgers, fries, chicken strip baskets, sandwiches, corn dogs, hot dogs, 16-inch pizzas and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
Rodeo Drive-In has been in business in Washington since 1949, making it one of the longer-lasting establishments of its kind in the state.
Spaces cannot be reserved or saved so parking at the drive-in is on a first-come, first-served basis. As always, it's recommended to arrive as early as possible to get the best possible spot to watch the film.
Showtimes vary depending on the time of year. Films can start as early as 6:30 p.m., but as late as 10 p.m. The drive-in labels its start times as "dusk."
A car radio or portal FM radio is required to hear the sound of the film. Customers can rent a radio at the snack bar as long as supplies are available.
- Location: Shelton, Wash.
- Price: Adults (12 and older): $8; Kids 11 and under: $3; Kids 5 and under: Free
- Payment options: Advanced tickets are available online or at the box office. Cash and card are accepted.
- Hours: Friday-Sunday. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., show begins at dusk (about 9:15 p.m.) Films air rain or shine
- Upcoming films: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (playing now), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (playing now)
- Food: Skyline Drive-In's snack bar menu includes cheeseburgers, 12-inch pizzas, hot dogs, popcorn, slushies, candies, soft pretzels, nachos and curly fries. Click here for the full menu. Skyline said most of the drive-in's revenue is from concessions, so outside food or drinks are strongly discouraged.
Skyline Drive-In, established in 1964, has designated parking areas based on vehicle height. Cars less than 64 inches in height are in the first two rows; mid-sized vehicles between 64-71 inches in height are in rows three-six; large vehicles over 71 inches in height are in rows seven-10. If you have any questions, the drive-in said to email feedback@skylinedrive-in.com.
- Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
- Price: General admission: $6.50 ($7 with card); Kids 10 and under: $1 ($1.50 with card); Kids 4 and under: Free
- Payment options: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards for admission, concession and gift card purchases
- Hours: Open seven days a week. First movie starts at 9 p.m.
- Upcoming films: The Fall Guy (playing now), Ghostbusters Frozen Empire (playing now)
- Food: Blue Fox Drive-In Theater's snack bar includes pizza, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, fries, churros and more. There is a gluten-free menu available as well. Outside food and drink are not allowed
The Blue Fox Drive-In Theater allows tent camping, but tents can't take up an extra parking space until after the first film is over. Tents are allowed to be set up in front or behind your vehicle as long as they do not block the screen for other customers. Larger tents must be set up towards the back of the parking lot by the tavern.
The Oak Harbor-based drive-in allows travel trailers, RVs and large camper vans/trucks at the venue, too. Trailers and RVs are parked near the tavern against the fence. Blue Fox does not allow outside food or drink and will add a $50 charge to all trailers, RVs and camper trucks and vans. In return, the drive-in will give a $30 voucher to use at the snack bar that night but the voucher is not permitted to bring food to the show. Blue Fox said occupants of the trailer still need to pay the general admission fee per person.
- Location: Port Townsend, Wash.
- Price: General admission: $10; Seniors 65 and up and Kids 12 and under: $8; Kids 5 and under: Free
- Hours: Box office opens at 7:30 p.m. Show begins at dusk.
- Upcoming films: Kung Fu Panda 4, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Godzilla x Kong
- Food: Wheel-In Motor offers made-to-order items like pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos and more.
Wheel-In Motor is celebrating its 72nd season after its opening in 1953. In addition to general admission, the drive-in offers an annual motor movie pass ($175) and an annual motor movie pass for two people ($300). The passes are good for all shows at all times at The Uptown Theatre and the Wheel-In Motor. Admission with the passes is guaranteed, but the passes are non-transferable.
Outdoor theaters
- Location: Seattle
- Price: Free
- Hours: Fridays in the summer, starting on July 26. The film starts at dusk, about 9 p.m.
- Upcoming films: The Princess Bride (July 26), Everything Everywhere All at Once (Aug. 2), Dune (1984) (Aug. 9), Singles (Aug. 16), The Color Purple (Musical) (Aug. 23)
- Food: Available in the Seattle Center Armory and at food carts on the grounds prior to the start of the film.
Seating is first-come, first-served limited to the capacity of the Mural Amphitheater lawn in the Seattle Center. Organizers recommend bringing low-back chairs, blankets, or bean bags. You may be moved to the back of the lawn if you bring high-backed chairs.
Giant coolers, ice chests, open flames, cooking, umbrellas, video and audio recorders are not allowed at the event.
- Location: Redmond, Wash.
- Admission: General admission: $10 online ($13 at the door); Kids 5 and under: Free
- Payment options: Tickets can be purchased online or at the event (credit only)
- Hours: Wednesday or Thursday in the summer. Doors open around 7 p.m., with live music after 8:30 p.m. Rain or shine unless there is an update posted on their Facebook page
- Upcoming films: Will be announced later
- Food: Various food trucks, with food including cupcakes, popcorn, tacos, candy and more
For the 20th summer, Marymoor Park is hosting outdoor films at its 640-acre location. This is a sit-in-the-grass event, with general admission seating on a first-come, first-served basis. The park does have three sections, however, with different seating requirements.
- Section 1: Blankets and ground seating only (no raised chairs)
- Section 2: Low-back/sand chairs and ground seating only (no camp chairs)
- Section 3: Open seating, camp chairs, sand chairs and ground seating
A selection of Seattle and Redmond-based food trucks will be available at all "Movies at Marymoor" events. Each film will have different food vendors. Outside food and beverages are allowed, but alcohol is not permitted.
This event is dog-friendly.
- Location: Tacoma, Wash.
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Gates open at 6 p.m., film starts at sunset. The film may be canceled if necessary due to heat, wind, or rain
- Upcoming films: June 28 (film not announced yet), July 12 (film not announced yet)
- Food: Food trucks will be on-site, but no barbecues are allowed.
Motor & Movies is a free summer movie series with a 40-foot-tall outdoor screen at Tacoma's American Car Museum. The event is first-come, first-served parking with no RSVPs. Organizers said the public can bring lawn chairs and yard games to the museum and there will be a designated picnic area in front of the screen for those who bike or walk.
- Location: Marysville, Wash.
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Saturdays, starting on July 20. Film will start at 9 p.m. or dusk
- Upcoming films: Field of Dreams (July 20), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (July 27), Barbie (Aug. 3), Trolls Band Together (Aug. 10), Elemental (Aug. 17)
Marysville Parks and Recreation is hosting a free summer movie series at the Jennings Park Pavilion.
- Location: Puyallup, Wash.
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Fridays, starting on July 12. Preshow activities and games start at 7 p.m. Film will start at 9 p.m. or dusk
- Upcoming films: Lady and the Tramp (July 12), The Super Mario Bros (July 19)
- Food: Hot Shot Pizza, Kona Ice and Cup of Jones Espresso, but you can also bring your own food
Don't forget your blanket and lawn chair for free family-friendly movies at Meridian Habitat Park on Fridays in July. You are welcome to bring your own food, but there will be several food truck options at the event.
The July 12 showing of Lady and the Tramp will be dog-friendly.
- Location: Gig Harbor, Wash.
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Friday nights in August
- Upcoming films: Not released yet
The city of Gig Harbor partnered for another summer series at the Sehmel Homestead Park Amphitheater. A blanket and low-back chairs are all you need to enjoy films under the stars in Gig Harbor.
- Location: Bellingham, Wash.
- Hours: Saturdays, starting on July 6. Films will start after 9 p.m.
- Upcoming films: The Goonies (July 6), Best in Show (July 13), Barbie (July 20), Raiders of the Lost Ark (July 27), The Super Mario Bros Movie (Aug. 3), Twilight (Aug. 10), Pitch Perfect (Aug. 17), The Princess Bride (Aug. 24)
Bellingham's outdoor movie series at Fairhaven Village Green begins in early July. There will be live entertainment one hour before showtime.
