Especially in the 1950s and 1960s, drive-in movie theaters were formerly a common type of entertainment in the United States. However, as time went on, their appeal waned, and many of them had to shut down. How many drive-in theaters will be left in the US in 2021, the oldest drive-in theater, how many drive-ins are left in the US, and whether Ford Wyoming Drive-In is still operating are some of the questions that will be addressed in this article as we examine the factors that contributed to the decline of drive-in movie theaters.
The growth of home entertainment systems is one of the primary factors contributing to the downfall of drive-in movie theaters. People could watch movies at home now that VCRs, DVDs, and streaming services were available, which was more practical and cozy. Due to the expense of gas, concessions, and admission, going to a drive-in theater was more expensive than viewing a movie at home. Drive-in theaters found it challenging to compete with home entertainment systems as a result.
The rise in land values was another factor in the downfall of drive-in movie theaters. Urbanization and population growth increased the value of the land used to construct drive-in cinemas. The fact that many drive-in cinemas were situated on good real estate made them desirable for other uses, such shopping malls and housing developments. Drive-in theaters struggled to stay in business as a result since they couldn’t afford to pay the exorbitant property prices.
By 2021, there are expected to be about 305 drive-in theaters in the US, according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA). Compared to the peak of 4,063 drive-in theaters in 1958, this is a considerable decline. Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, Pennsylvania, which debuted in 1934 and is still in business, is the oldest drive-in theater in the US.
Even though there are many fewer drive-ins than there previously were in the US, some recognizable drive-in theaters have continued to operate. The Ford Wyoming Drive-In in Dearborn, Michigan, which opened its doors in 1950 and is still in business, is one such theater. The theater currently has five screens with a seating capacity of 3,000 cars after undergoing numerous upgrades over the years.
In conclusion, a number of variables, such as the growth of home entertainment systems, the rise in land value, and the high cost of operating, can be blamed for the downfall of drive-in movie theaters. Despite the fact that there are fewer drive-in cinemas, several of them have continued to operate and provide moviegoers a distinctive viewing experience.
Usually, the movie studios are the ones who profit the most from a film. In addition to receiving a share of the box office take, they also benefit from distribution and licensing agreements for media types like DVD, streaming, and television broadcasts.