10 Missouri Drive-In Theaters Still Operating (And 4 That Closed Too Soon)
Remember those warm summer nights spent watching movies beneath the stars? Once a staple of American entertainment, drive-in theaters captured the magic of community, cars, and cinema all in one place.
While their numbers have dwindled dramatically since the booming 1950s, Missouri still holds onto this cherished tradition with a handful of outdoor gems. Families gather for double features, kids sprawl out on blankets, and dashboards transform into dinner tables piled high with popcorn and burgers.
I’ve shared countless evenings at these nostalgic venues with my own kids, even as I’ve sadly watched others fade away from the landscape.
1. Moberly Five and Drive – Where Indoor Comfort Meets Outdoor Magic
Nothing beats the flexibility at this unique theater! You can watch inside when Missouri weather turns unpredictable or spread a blanket under the stars when summer evenings feel perfect.
My kids always beg to bring their pajamas for outdoor showings, turning movie night into an adventure. The theater’s double features make the value unbeatable—two movies for practically the price of one.
Their concession stand serves the crispiest, most perfectly seasoned popcorn I’ve ever tasted at any theater. The Five and Drive represents the best of both worlds: modern projection technology with that irreplaceable drive-in atmosphere.
2. 66 Drive-In (Carthage) – Historic Route 66 Cinema Experience
Standing proudly along the iconic Mother Road since 1949, this beautifully preserved piece of Americana transports visitors straight back to the golden age of drive-ins. The vintage neon sign alone makes the trip worthwhile!
Last summer, I watched my daughter’s eyes widen with wonder at her first drive-in experience here—the same look I had decades earlier. Their restoration efforts maintained the original charm while upgrading to digital projection.
The concession building looks like it belongs in a museum, yet serves modern treats alongside timeless favorites. This National Register of Historic Places landmark continues the tradition of family entertainment that defined Route 66’s heyday.
3. Starlite Drive-In (Cadet) – The Two-Screen Wonder
Sprawled across acres of Missouri countryside, Starlite’s massive dual screens create an impressive silhouette against sunset skies. I’ve never seen another drive-in that accommodates so many vehicles while maintaining perfect sightlines from every spot.
The family that runs this place treats every guest like a neighbor. They’ve mastered the art of quick intermission turnaround, ensuring you have fresh snacks before the second feature begins.
My favorite memory? Watching my sons organize an impromptu football game with newfound friends in the grassy area before showtime. Starlite preserves that community feeling that made drive-ins social hubs, not just movie venues.
4. Sunset Drive-In Theater (Aurora) – Where BYO-Grill Means Extra Fun
Imagine the aroma of burgers sizzling on portable grills while previews roll on the massive screen ahead. Sunset Drive-In embraces this uniquely American tradition, encouraging families to create their own tailgate parties.
My family’s annual summer kickoff happens here, complete with our trusty Coleman grill and enough hot dogs to feed neighboring cars. The owners maintain that relaxed, 1950s vibe where community matters more than rigid rules.
Their playground keeps younger kids entertained before darkness falls and the feature begins. Few modern entertainment venues foster such genuine interaction between strangers—I’ve exchanged recipes, parenting tips, and local recommendations with folks in neighboring parking spots.
5. Barco Drive-In (Lamar) – Missouri’s Endurance Champion
Holding the crown for longest continuously operating drive-in statewide, Barco hasn’t missed a season since throwing open its gates in the Truman era. The projection booth houses a small museum of equipment spanning decades of cinema technology.
When I brought my film-buff nephew here, the owner gave us an impromptu history lesson, showing how projection evolved from carbon arc lamps to today’s digital systems. Their commitment to preservation extends to pricing—somehow they’ve kept tickets affordable despite industry pressures.
The snack bar menu remains delightfully unchanged, serving those specific drive-in flavors that taste like childhood memories. Many Missouri families can count four generations who’ve enjoyed movies under these same stars.
6. Phoenix Theater & Drive-In (Houston) – Rising From Entertainment Ashes
Talk about comeback stories! After the original Houston theater closed, community members rallied to create this phoenix-like hybrid venue offering both indoor and outdoor viewing options.
During my road trip through the Ozarks last year, a sudden thunderstorm threatened our outdoor movie plans. The staff smoothly transferred our tickets to the indoor screening, saving our family movie night without missing a beat.
Their clever programming often features thematically linked films across both venues. The Phoenix represents small-town determination at its finest—when traditional entertainment options disappeared, locals created something even better than what was lost.
7. Rock ‘N’ Roll Drive-In (Chaffee) – Movies With A Musical Twist
Vintage convertibles line the front row on classic car nights at this music-themed outdoor theater. The pre-show entertainment often includes live local bands performing on a small stage beneath the massive screen.
My teenagers—usually glued to their phones—actually put them away during our visit last summer, captivated by the rockabilly quartet warming up the crowd. Their concession stand serves themed snacks named after musical legends.
The owners rescued and restored equipment from several closed Missouri drive-ins, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that honors the state’s outdoor cinema heritage. Their commitment to both film and music preservation makes this venue uniquely entertaining, bridging generations through shared cultural touchstones.
8. Pine Hill Drive-In (Piedmont) – The Comeback Kid of Outdoor Cinema
Left abandoned for years, this countryside gem found new life when a local family purchased and lovingly restored it. Their renovation balanced modern necessities with historical preservation, maintaining the rustic charm that makes rural drive-ins special.
Watching my children experience their first drive-in movie here reminded me why these places matter. The owners’ grandchildren often help run the concession stand, creating a multi-generational atmosphere that’s increasingly rare.
Pine Hill’s rebirth story inspires other communities facing similar losses. The surrounding pine trees create natural sound barriers and add that distinctive fresh scent to the experience. Their reopening celebration attracted former employees from decades past, sharing stories that connected past with present.
9. 21 Drive-In (Van Buren) – Single Screen, Double Features, Triple Fun
Spacious parking spaces make this single-screen theater feel luxuriously comfortable compared to cramped multiplexes. Their commitment to the classic double feature format means movie nights stretch gloriously long, with carefully paired films that complement each other.
During our family’s Ozark vacation, we stumbled upon their annual “Pajama Night” where kids arrive already dressed for bed. The owner personally welcomes first-time visitors, offering viewing tips and local history.
Their FM sound system delivers crystal-clear audio directly to your car stereo. The 21’s throwback intermission countdowns and vintage concession advertisements between features transport viewers to simpler entertainment times while maintaining modern projection quality.
10. Twin Crescent Drive-In (Buffalo) – New Theater, Old-School Heart
Proving drive-ins aren’t just nostalgic relics, this newer establishment embraces traditional aesthetics while incorporating modern amenities. Their programming brilliantly mixes blockbusters with carefully selected classics, introducing younger generations to cinematic treasures.
My family’s tradition includes arriving early for their pre-show trivia contests projected on screen. The concession building looks deliberately vintage but offers unexpected treats like locally-sourced ice cream and craft sodas.
Their themed weekends transform the experience—80s night complete with costume contests or family film festivals with activities between features. Twin Crescent demonstrates that the drive-in concept remains viable when approached with creativity and community connection rather than mere nostalgia.
11. Twin Drive-In (Independence) – Kansas City’s Lost Cinema Landmark
For generations of Kansas City families, summer meant piling into station wagons headed for this beloved double-screen institution. The massive lot could accommodate nearly a thousand vehicles, creating an impressive sea of headlights at closing time.
My first date with my now-husband happened here—a memory made more precious by the theater’s absence. Their famous “Dusk to Dawn” marathon screenings became legendary, testing even the most dedicated movie buffs’ endurance.
When development pressure finally overcame nostalgia, community protests couldn’t save this cinema treasure. Former patrons still gather for annual “remember when” events in the shopping center parking lot that replaced their cherished entertainment venue, projecting movies onto portable screens in tribute.
12. Sky Hi Theatre (Columbia) – College Town’s Vanished Starlight Venue
University of Missouri students once flocked to this affordable entertainment option just outside city limits. The elevated screen—visible for miles—became a Columbia landmark that guided moviegoers down rural roads before GPS existed.
My college memories include marathon study sessions fueled by their famously excessive popcorn portions. Unlike many drive-ins, Sky Hi operated year-round, using in-car heaters during winter months to extend their season.
When streaming services and multiplex competition finally forced closure, the community lost more than movies. Regular “trunk sale” events in their sprawling lot created weekend social opportunities that disappeared alongside the theater. Today only concrete speaker stands remain, silent sentinels marking where entertainment once thrived.
13. I-70 Drive-In (Kansas City area) – The Triple-Screen Giant
Motorists passing through Kansas City once marveled at this drive-in’s three massive screens visible from the interstate. Each screen anchored its own section with separate entrance roads, essentially creating three theaters in one sprawling complex.
Growing up nearby, I witnessed how they pioneered family-friendly innovations—creating separate audio channels for kids’ content during intermissions and installing playground equipment visible from every parking spot. Their concession building operated like a small food court with multiple serving stations to handle enormous weekend crowds.
The theater’s closure represented more than lost entertainment—it marked the end of a social institution where diverse Kansas City communities gathered. Urban expansion eventually valued the land more than the memories created upon it.
14. Pine Hill Drive-In (pre-reopening) – The Theater That Got A Second Chance
Overgrown with weeds and sporting faded paint, this once-vibrant community gathering place sat abandoned for years after its 2015 closure. Local teenagers would park near the deteriorating screen, sharing stories of movies their parents had watched in the same spot.
During its dormant years, I’d drive past regularly, watching nature slowly reclaim what had once been a thriving business. Community members proposed various revitalization plans—from outdoor concert venue to flea market—but the property languished in limbo.
Unlike many closed drive-ins, Pine Hill’s story has a happy ending. When new owners purchased and renovated the property, they discovered original equipment preserved in the projection booth, creating a direct connection to the theater’s past life that enriches its current incarnation.