South Drive-In Theater

I was a little concerned about the area this was in, but it was perfect for a low key movie night! Snacks were typical Movie theater type, and we had the option of using old-​school window speakers or a radio station. The old timey commercials before the movies were cute too!

Went there this past summer with my son to see the new jurassic park movie. I had not been to a drive in for a long time and honestly worried because of the location of this drive in. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy with our time there. The place was clean and nice. The screen was very bright which told me they have invested money in their projection equipment. Visited the snack stand and got a lot of yummy stuff for not too much money, compared to going to an indoor theater. We will be coming back for sure. Thanks for keeping such a cool place going!

One of the best kept secrets in cbus. I lived in Columbus for 2 years and many weekends I came back to work on Mondays where people who had grown up in Columbus would ask what I did that weekend and when my response was the drive in almost no one knew there was a drive in. It is such a good deal for two movies especially when they don’t mind you bringing in food, grilling, bringing dogs, and the concessions are reasonable prices.

My boyfriend and I attended the Thursday night showing of «Jurassic World» and «Pitch Perfect 2» (kinda an odd combination). Since it was a weeknight, our adult tickets were only $ 7.50. Deal!
They were not packed, but the lot was lively.
It had been a 90° day and the temperature fell slowly with a breeze that negated the need for air conditioning. Unfortunately, having your windows down may mean you too will smell cigarettes and weed… The crowd is otherwise fine and the mix of lifestyles in the name of entertainment is the charm. But come on people, there are children present!
I have not visited the concession center for food but the restrooms were clean enough.
As for sound and visual quality, you are outdoors so light pollution is the enemy. Nevertheless, picture is strong and the sound is clear and in time.

Will never return, young want to be punks for the help. Rude customer service. Used to be a fun place. Crappy video… And did I mention very rude customer service? I guess to be a manager here all your resume has to say is McDonalds. I will tell all my friends to tell their friends to never come here. My family had a horrible experience. Save your ten bucks and go to Lancaster for a good drive in.

I don’t know why drive-​ins went away, but I love going to the drive-​in for a few reasons:
* two movies for $ 9, and they change up the pairings enough to keep it interesting. We didn’t see Mad Max one weekend because we didn’t like the second movie; the next week, it was a much better second movie, so we went.
* you can take in your own food, which is like MAGIC (saving money on concessions ftw; we took two giant bowls of popcorn that I made at home for like $ 1)
* since you’re in your own car (or sitting right outside of it), you can talk and get comfortable, it’s like watching a movie at home
* the process is really easy, they give you instructions when you arrive
* they played classic horror films during Halloween, which was pretty great.
* there’s some green space where kids can play or where you can stretch your legs between movies, pretty cool
I knocked off one star because their concessions are pretty bad. The fries are horrible, the coffee is bad. The pizza is okay but nothing to write home about. Think amusement park concessions but less good. I mean, you can take your own so that is mitigated, but I would love to buy able to buy decent concessions there and support them (and also sometimes you run out of food after the first movie, just keeping it real).

I’ve been here a few times over the years. It’s a great way to see a movie or two– two first-​run movies for $ 9, and two screens so you have options. Concessions are actually reasonably priced, and everyone is very friendly.
The place is a bit run-​down, but what do you want from a drive-​in? The speakers work (after what seems to be 50 years) or you can tune your radio to the audio.
This time we went for scary movies. There was a haunted house but we passed, and ended up staying for just the first movie. Too many people driving and walking by to make out for long. Protip: bring a station wagon, SUV, or pickup. Throw blankets and pillows in back, some snacks, a cooler, and enjoy the show.

We love coming here with friends on summer weekends to have a relaxing night! Plus, it’s an amazing deal! Two movies, for only $ 9.00 per person!
We visited right before the Drive-​In had a theft issue (Stealing the Speakers for copper wiring; such a disappointment) and then we re-​visited two weeks ago.
We have had a good experience each time. There is not much communication with employees unless you visit the concession stand, but thankfully they allow you to grill out when you are there, which is what we usually do with a case of beer and some wine (I know, we are classy).
There aren’t many drive-​ins left, so I definitely recommend everyone visiting! Fun for all ages!

This is such a great deal… which makes for a very fun evening…
You get at least 2 movies for $ 9, sometimes 3 (there’s always 3 shows, usually a replay of the first movie).
The park was recently vandalized, so a lot of the speakers aren’t in working order… so, if your car stereo or battery isn’t up to par, then bring a radio.
You can also bring in your own food and drinks!
Definitely a recommend!

Not a good movie watching experience. Picture looks washed out.
Great way to take kids to the movies without bothering other patrons.
$ 9 a person is a little steep.

A real throwback, what a perfect place to take the kids.

A blast from the past!
We love the South Twin and go several times each summer! The kids love it and it’s cheaper than a regular movie — but you get to see 2! It’s currently $ 9/​per adult and $ 1/​each child under 12.

A classic in Columbus, but I’m leaving a star off since the other people that just show up are sometimes annoying. I like to sit out in the open on a lawn chair, so having people drive by with their lights on during a flick gets old fast.
Else they have a decent screen, only decent sound if you bring a radio (their post speakers suck due to age). But the plusses are better, such as allowances for outside food (even grills/​fires!).
I wish they priced by the carload like the memphis drive in up in Cleveland used to, but I can see with first run movies having to charge the $ 9/​person.

I am a big fan.
There is just something about being able to watch movies in your car, eating what ever you want with friends and family for a good price. Although it is a bit of a drive from the main drag of Columbus, I would for sure say that it is the worth the drive.
Worth going at least once while you are in Columbus, besides where else can you see two movies for the price of one ticket any place else. The movies aren’t all old either, normally playing the new releases.
If they would spend some money on upkeep, making better sound system for the cars, and renovating the area, it would be better. For a place that has been open for half a century though, it ain’t doing to shabby
Do your self a favor and slide on down to the south side, and enjoy a movie, in a way that is unique, and how your parent’s most likely did.

The last of the Great Drive In Movie Theaters!!!
Growing up in Southern California I was used to going once a week to the Drive In to watch movies like The Thing, Star Trek, Halloween, Friday the 13^th, but as time passed the Drive Inns became Swap Meets the Old Screens still standing leaving you memories of what once was!!!
I know this review probably dates me age wise but I can truly say that I had lots of fun experiences at the Drive in!!! So you know that when I was Driving down High Street and saw the Drive In sigh showing Spiderman2 & Dodge ball I was very excited…
Can you imagine packing up the family heading to the Drive in and only spending $ 10 for a family of four to watch to new movie on opening week that’s a smidge? Well for the next 2 years my kids got to enjoy watching movies out in the open air lying in the back of the Tahoe being kids… The good thing also is you can bring what you want in to eat & drink or just walk to the concession counter and pick up a popcorn and cola.
Too all that visit Columbus do take advantage and go check out a double feature you won’t regret it.

Not the newest/​nicest but certainly the cheapest & best option in my opinion! You get two movies for about $ 8. They play movie 1, movie 2 then movie 1 again if you missed it/​came late, whatever. They also have 2 screens so they usually have some pretty good choices & usually the first week the movie releases! Plus, like another reviewer said, we like to pick up carry-​out food & bring with us! Or they have a pretty good concession stand with hotdogs, hamburgers, nachos etc!
At a drive through you can control your own experience! Sit in or out of your car. Smoke a cigarette, fall asleep, talk to the person next to you… There’s no comparison! The folks who run the place seem to be real nice & take care/​clean up the place real well! It may not be in the most choice neighborhood, it’s still a kick arse place & a lot of towns would kill for a drive-​in! Check it out!

I love this place! My dad brought me here all the time when I was a kid. Drive-​in movies rock!

Two summers ago I discovered that there was a drive-​in theater in Columbus. Man, was I excited. Unfortunately, I realized this towards the end of the summer, so I was only able to go once before it closed for the season. We saw a double feature of Superbad and The Bourne Ultimatum — two awesome movies for one low price.
There are so many reasons that I love the drive-​in more than I do going to the theater. First of all, the nostalgia. I used to go to the drive in when I was a kid and it was always so much fun — play around in the car and watch the movie, play outside or fall asleep if you get tired. Now it’s still fun even though I’m older. That’s because the drive in presents you with opportunities that you just don’t get at a regular theater. For example, my boyfriend’s got seats that fold down and the back of his car opens up — so we can lay down and cuddle in blankets to watch the movies. How relaxing! It’s also nice to be in the outside air and enjoy the weather, and to bundle up if it starts to get a bit chilly. You could also sit in your car with the heat on if you wanted! I really like that we can go pick up a pizza, chinese food, whatever and take it in there to eat while we’re enjoying the movies. You can bring whatever you want! And it sure beats paying $ 7 for a bag of popcorn at regular theaters.
You also have some freedom here — you don’t have to worry as much about being quiet or anything. Since everyone’s in their own cars, you can talk to who you’re with without disturbing other people, turn on the car’s dome light if you need to, answer your phone, and adjust the volume to your liking. You can even yell at the characters in the movie if you want! See? Total comfort.
Sometimes we’ll bring in some beer. I’m not sure if you’re really allowed to do this or not, but as long as you’re not getting drunk and rowdy, I don’t think they care. You just have to make sure you’re not disturbing the other people.
This drive in is so great because of the price. It’s only $ 8 a person for a double feature. That’s $ 4 a movie! Try to find a theater (besides a dollar theater) that can beat that price! And they show new releases, so you can see the movies right when they come out. South Drive-​In has two screens that each play two movies, so if you wanted, you could watch one movie at one screen, then move to the next for the other, as long as the times match up. BTW, only $ 1 for kids under 12!
Last summer we went several times. Some examples of what we saw in the double features: Iron Man & Speed Racer, then on another night, Pineapple Express & Step Brothers. They kind of pair up similar movie styles so it’s more likely you’ll want to see both movies that they’re playing. You can check their website to see what they’re playing and when. It’s always updated!
The down side of the drive in is that it’s closed during the winter. The open season is around May-​September. I should mention that they do have a concession stand if you forget to pick anything up beforehand, but I’ve never checked it out. They also have restrooms. They are a little scary, but always have toilet paper and stuff like that.
South Drive-​In is the perfect place to go with the family, friends or on a date if you want to go to the movies in the summertime. You just wait in the line of cars at the entrance, buy your tickets at the booth, and they’ll give you a sheet of paper and tell you what screen to go to for which movies you want to see. The sheet of paper will tell you what radio station to tune your car radio to for which screen and then you find a place to park your car in the lot. Once the sun goes down, the movies usually start. Two movies back-​to-​back starting around 9:30/10 can take until around 2 in the morning, so this is an all night event. But you can always just stay for one movie if you want to.
The people that work at the window seem to be very friendly, but you really don’t have a whole lot of interaction with them. You just pay them and you’re on your own once you’re inside. But they usually have a police officer or someone inside that stays around the concession stand just in case.
One thing that can get annoying is people who turn on their headlights to leave in the middle of a movie, washing out the screen for everyone else. It doesn’t happen very often, but if you go, please, don’t be one of those people.
It’s pretty special that Columbus has a drive in. They seem to be dying out and closing everywhere. I really really hope this doesn’t happen to this one. I absolutely love coming here, and it seems like a lot of other people do, too, since it’s usually pretty full, especially on weekends. I urge you to give it a try and support them to keep them open. It’s a really fun time and you can personalize it by how many people you bring, or if you decide to bring in food or drinks. My boyfriend and I have made coming here with dinner our summer night specialty. It’s just another reason why I love summertime so much.

South Drive-​In is a reminder of yesteryears. Each time I go, I sigh. The theater’s hay day was a long time ago and it shows. It could be so much better if they kept the place up. Going to a movie should be an experience — and a positive one at that. Renovating the restrooms and concessions stands would help a lot. Have you ever been in the restrooms? They’re dirty and the lights are dingy. It’s like no one cares about the place itself anymore. Being that the theater opened in 1955, it should be considered and treated like a historic landmark.
Seeing a movie at the drive-​in is so much fun; hanging out with friends, laughing and chowing down on the loads of snacks and drinks that we horded in our cars. What’s really cool is when someone has a pick-​up truck. Then we just pile a bunch of blankets in the back and we not only get to see a movie, but can look at the stars at the same time. Even better, is if you have a mattress that you could throw in the truck bed.
Price-​wise, it’s not too bad if you think about it. For $ 8, an adult gets in to see two shows, which means $ 4 for one movie. At places like the AMC theaters, it’s about $ 8 for one movie. Not to mention, at the drive-​in kids twelve years and under get in for $ 1 for two movies and that definitely ain’t too shabby!

How can you not love Columbus’ only drive-​in movie theater? Visiting a drive-​in has been reduced to a novelty, but at least we have the luxury of that novelty.
When the theater is in-​season (May-​September) they show four first-​run movies in two double features on two screens. Typically, that means you’ll see the four most popular movies in release.
If you haven’t seen a drive-​in movie lately, you owe it to yourself to revisit this rad American tradition. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend summer night.