Ohio Now Boasts the Most Drive-In Theaters in the World
Grab a bucket of chicken and find an Ohio drive-in movie near you with our handy map.
The Elm Road Drive-In Theater in Warren, Ohio
Photo: Mike
Ohio’s enthusiasm for drive-in movies dates back to June of 1937. The Starlight Auto Theater opened in Akron that year, marking an early entry into the annals of drive-in history. This was not only the first drive-in theater in Ohio, the Starlight was one of the first ten drive-in theaters in the country. Having enjoyed 400-car capacity showings until 1983, the Starlight dipped into the past, but not before inspiring a heyday of drive-in theaters across the state.
Even today, Ohio remains one of the best states to see a drive-in movie. With about 28 drive-in movie theaters still in operation, it currently has the most drive-in theaters of any state (Pennsylvania had been in the lead, but dipped to 27 just last year). The Lynn Drive-In Movies in Strasburg, Ohio, is now one of the oldest operating drive-in movie theaters in the world.
That’s quite a legacy set by the Starlight 78 years ago.
Here is a handy map of the remaining drive-in movie theaters in Ohio at time of publication:
| City | Drive-In Theater |
| Amelia | Starlite Drive-In |
| Barberton | Magic City Drive-In |
| Chardon | Mayfield Road Drive-In |
| Clayton | Melody 49 Twin Drive-In |
| Columbus | South Drive-In |
| Dayton | Dixie Twin Drive-In |
| Fairborn | Skyborn Drive-In |
| Hamilton | Holiday Auto Theatre |
| Kenton | Hi Road Drive-In |
| Lancaster | Skyview Cruise-In |
| Liberty Center | Field of Dreams Drive-In |
| Mansfield | Springmill Twin Drive-In |
| Mansfield | Sun-Set Drive-In Theatre |
| Maria Stein | Starlite Drive-In |
| Middle Point | Van-Del Drive-In |
| North Ridgeville | Aut-O Rama Twin Drive-In |
| Norwalk | Star View Drive-In |
| Oregon | Sundance Kid Drive-In |
| Ravenna | Midway Twin Drive-In |
| Sidney | Sidney Auto-Vue Drive-In |
| Springfield | Melody Cruise-In |
| Strasburg | Lynn Auto Theatre |
| Tiffen | Field of Dreams Drive-In Theater |
| Wadsworth | Blue Sky Drive-In |
| Warren | Elm Road Triple Drive-In Theatre |
| Warren | Skyway Twin Drive-In |
| Wilmington | Chakeres Wilmington Drive-In |
| Wintersville | Winter Drive-In Theatre |
Have you taken the family out for a picnic at the local drive-in yet?
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.