Moonstruck Drive In Cinema east of Downtown | Moonstruck Drive In Cinema/Facebook
Missing the movie experience? Here’s where to see new and classic films, with plenty of snacks for munching during the show
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been called the Year of the Drive In Theater. With traditional movie houses closed for much of the summer and quarantined Americans looking for any way to get safely out of the house, these relics of yesterday are suddenly making a comeback, with new technology, mostly better food, and a new importance in the collective movie-going experience.
There’s a few things to know before heading to one of the drive-ins below. First of all, screenings can be highly dependent on weather, with rain and wind sometimes leading to cancellations. Second, most drive-ins require that you tune into a latent FM station in order to hear the audio. Make sure your car has FM radio, or bring a portable one. (Radio apps will not work.)
For the most part, movie tickets at these new drive-ins are charged by the carload — which usually means how many seat belts the car has (no cramming anyone into the trunk to sneak them in.) Secondly, rules vary by theater — some require you to turn off your car, some do not allow outside food or drink, and others will let movie-watchers “tailgate.” Most require that you stay within the footprint of your car, and if you must leave the car — to go to the restroom or to pick up food — wear a mask. Mainly, be sure to check each theater’s rules and FAQs before heading out for movie night. (Eater Austin has more tips to enhance your drive-in experience.)
So if you’ve binged everything on your Netflix to-watch list and your sick of looking at the inside of your house, here are five drive-in theater options in and around Houston.
Space City Shows
Where: 2300 Runnels Street
What’s on the screen: ‘90s classics like Friday and Poetic Justice; the Bad Boys and Rush Hour franchises; and kid-friendly flicks like Madagascar and Sharks Tale.
The food situation: Food trucks like The Foodie Barr, which serves chicken and waffles; Nacho Monster; Off The Leash Hot Dogs and Akira Candy Factory.
Space City Shows went semi-viral last month on Twitter when 26-year-old founder Khairi Sharif tweeted that he’d started the first and only Black-owned drive in theater in Houston.
“People say that idle time is the devil’s workshop, but for me it got my creative juices flowing,” Sharif told Click2Houston earlier this month. Space City Shows shows everything from classic and deep cut ‘90s films, modern releases like Queenie & Slim, and slapstick comedies like Happy Gilmore. Screenings take place on a 20-40 foot screen supported by shipping containers in a large field in EaDo.
Thanks to that early buzz, Sharif is now partnering with Black Book Houston to help support Black-owned food trucks and other businesses like his own. Each screening features a different rotation of food trucks, like The Foodie Barr, which serves waffles, wings, peach cobbler and more, and Akira Candy Factory, an upstart “candy counter” by founded a young entrepreneur who calls herself Princess Akira. Tickets start at $30 per car.
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Rooftop Cinema Club/Facebook
The Drive In at Sawyer Yards
- Where: 2301 Summer Street
- What’s on the screen: Everything from beloved films like the original Ghostbusters, Dazed and Confused and The Fifth Element to indies like The King of Staten Island and The High Note.
- The food situation: Standard movie snacks like popcorn, candy and sodas.
A partnership with Rooftop Cinema Club, the Drive-In at Sawyer Yards shows all manner of movies, including newer releases, indie films, and themed nights — there’s a series of Halloween movies coming up like Hocus Pocus and Death Becomes Her.
Food is the standard movie theater fare — popcorn, sodas, and candy like Hot Tamales and Reeses Pieces. Food can be ordered through a contactless pickup system, or movie-goers can bring their own.
Films are shown on a 100-foot screen over the silos at Sawyer Yards. Tickets come in two tier prices — central view and side view — at $35 and $28 per car, respectively.
Moonstruck Drive In Cinema
Where: 100 Bringhurst Street
What’s on the screen: Hotly anticipated new releases, popular modern movies like Crazy Rich Asians
The food situation: Food trucks on rotation, beer and wine and concessions provided by The New Potato. Outside food and drink is prohibited.
Moonstruck bills itself as Houston’s first and only permanent drive in movie theater, and is part of the brand-new East River development east of Downtown on the Northern banks of Buffalo Bayou. It’s a partnership between outdoor movie company Blue Moon Cinema and Showboat Drive In in Hockley, Texas. On its opening weekend at the start of September, Moonstruck screened both the hotly anticipated Christopher Nolan film Tenet, and Bill and Ted Face the Music. Expect more blockbusters alongside older classics, all shown on a 40-80 foot screen.
Food includes a selection of trucks, like Muiishi, which serves Tex-Asian dishes like bulgogi quesadillas and karage burritos; and Las Brasas Tacos. Concessions and alcoholic drinks are provided by nearby bar The New Potato. Tickets are $25 per car.
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Showboat Drive In/Facebook
Showboat Drive In
Where: 22422 FM 2920, Hockley, TX
What’s on the screen: Mostly new releases, two screenings a night
The food situation: Plenty of movie theater fare, candy, sodas and popcorn
For a more traditional drive-in experience, head just outside of Tomball to Hockely, Texas, and the Showboat Drive In. Though it was founded in 2006, the Showboat evokes the looming midcentury drive-ins that once dotted nearly every cow town in Texas. Movies here are mostly new releases — Tenet, The New Mutants and Mulan are on the upcoming list. The two screens are 40x80 feet.
Food-wise, expect state fair-style concessions, with lots of options, including jalapeño poppers, cheesy fries, funnel cakes, candy and of course popcorn. Food is ordered through the FanFare app for pick-up at the concession stand.
Ticketing at Showboat comes in two forms — individual and carload, depending on the screening. Individual tickets start at $8 each. Carload prices vary.
The Best Little Drive-in In Houston
Where: 310 North Street
What’s on the screen: Cult faves like Wes Anderson movies, Ex Machina, and High Fidelity, plus modern classics like Get Out and Bohemian Rhapsody
The food situation: Popcorn, candy, drinks and booze
This “small but mighty” drive in, now located at Raven Tower, shows films on a unique LED video wall as opposed to a traditional screen, which results in a brighter and higher resolution video. Think of the Best Little Drive In as the socially-distant version of an art house theater — indie films are truly the draw here, and the space only has room for 36 cars, making for an intimate — if distant — setting. Tickets are $30 per vehicle.
Food and drinks are provided by Raven Tower and must be ordered online — the venue is currently cash-free. The selection includes local craft beer and top-shelf booze, alongside candy and popcorn, naturally. Outside food is not allowed.
By: Brittanie Shey
Title: A Comprehensive Guide to Houston’s Drive-In Movie Theaters
Sourced From: houston.eater.com/2020/10/1/21450972/houston-best-drive-in-movie-theaters-concessions-food-trucks-snacks
Published Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2020 14:30:00 +0000
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