Springfield’s Route 66 Drive-in Theater – situated next to Knight’s Action Park which is known for its golf courses and waterslides – reopened on Friday, April 5. So far, the schedule includes Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Kung Fu Panda 4, Bob Marley: One Love and Night Swim. The popularity of drive-in theaters grew during the 1950s, as a response to the economic shifts following the Second World War. Drive-ins were a cheaper option compared to regular cinemas, attracting families and children. They were easy to set up and became a favorite spot for watching both independent and blockbuster movies, with their expansive screens enhancing the cinematic experience. Drive-ins provided an ideal setting for the shifting demographics as people gradually relocated from city centers to suburban areas, with nearly every family owning a car.
Furthermore, drive-ins played a key role in popularizing genres like horror, musicals and rock and roll movies. These genres, which appealed to teenagers, attracted a significant portion of the population likely to spend money on entertainment. The increase in the teenage population, fueled by the baby boom of the 1950s, further bolstered the appeal of drive-ins as favored destinations for youthful audiences. According to the Journal Star, the United States boasted over 4,000 drive-ins at the height of their popularity. However, with the ascent of television, escalating land costs, and the advent of multiplexes, many were forced to close.
Now, though, UIS students and Springfield residents are fortunate to have one of the few remaining active drive-ins in close proximity.
According to the Illinois Times, the drive-in theater first opened in 1973 as the Green Meadows Drive-In. Despite a promising start, this twin-screen venue had a short-lived existence, shutting its doors in 1980. After remaining inactive for nearly two decades, the Knight family (proprietors of the adjacent theme park which bears their name) undertook renovations in the 1990s and revived the theater to reopen in 2002, renaming it the Route 66 Drive-In. In 2004, they added a second screen, allowing each one to show double features starting 30 minutes after sunset.
In addition to providing a unique experience for movie enthusiasts and fans of the 1950s era, The Route 66 Drive-In also offers a family-friendly environment where you can enjoy candies, popcorn, nachos, pizza and other treats. The theater is open Wednesday through Sunday and gates open at 7 p.m. From May 28 to August 10, gates will be opening 30 minutes before dusk and from August 10 to October 24, movies will be only from Friday to Saturday. To learn more about the programming, visit the official website.
Moreover, if it’s raining or cloudy, don’t worry! The drive-in will still be open, showing movies no matter the weather! So, buy your ticket (remember, you only need one ticket per car) and step back into the 50s and enjoy your retro movie night under the stars!
