As the pandemic halted large gatherings in public places, people turned to drive in movie theaters to enjoy the big screen safely. This venue that was designed in the 1950s became popular again as a way to seek out entertainment.
The pandemic brought people back to the drive-in theater, and they could enjoy more than just movies. Continue reading to learn how the pandemic revived the drive-in movie theater industry.
What Can Drive-in Movie Theaters Provide?
Although many events were put on hold once the pandemic hit, people found ways to use the drive in movie theaters to hold events. In addition to showing movies, church services began holding a drive-in service, and there was even a drive-in wedding.
The parking lots for empty malls provided an opportunity for community moves, and some included concerts, art shows, and stand-up comedy. In Florida, they even made a boat-in movie theater.
Why Is it Successful?
One thing that people miss during a pandemic is interaction with other people. When people gather together at a drive-in, they can see each other and they feel a greater sense of community, family, or society.
The model for a drive-in allows for efficiency, and the key is the space. If you want to have 500 cars, you need ten to fourteen acres. They also need to make sure that the ground is graded so that those in back can see, and they need some ambient lighting. Fortunately, there is a mathematical formula that shows the ideal angle and distance between the screen and the projection booth.
The important thing is to make the drive-in a place where people want to go rather than a place people have to go because there is no other option. In the peak of the drive-in theater, there were around 4000 across the United States. That number shrunk to 350 by 2020. Former owners sold off land to developers and some drive-ins became other industries, such as flea markets.
Will Drive-ins Make a Comeback?
The pandemic made it clear that people will go to the drive-in if there is no alternative. They are seeing success and playing all kinds of movies from new releases to classics. Some theaters are seeing at least a temporary rebirth, and it is unknown if they will stick around once the restrictions are relaxed. The key is for drive-in operators to find a way to draw people.