Florida Drive-in Theaters
Florida got off to an early start as a drive-in movie state back in February of 1938, opening one of America's first drive-in theaters in Miami. By the end of the 1940's, Florida had about 20 drive-ins operating throughout the state. And less than ten years later, the number of Florida drive-ins had boomed. By 1955 there were more than 150 drive-in theaters in Florida (helped by the year round warm weather no doubt). As with other states, the peak for drive-ins movie theaters in Florida was the mid to late 1950's, after which, their numbers began to decline, but more slowly than in other states. Even by 1979, there were still 115 drive-ins operating in the state. Unlike most states, the severe attrition of drive-ins did not hit Florida until the 1980's. But hit it did as there are currently only 8 operating drive-in movie theaters in Florida. However, Florida is still host to the largest drive-in in the United States. The Swap Shop Drive-in in Fort Lauderdale (listed below) has 14 screens and is open year round. Most of Florida's remaining drive-in theaters are located in the Central part of the state. There are no drive-ins in the Panhandle, only one in Northern Florida and only two in Southern Florida.
Open Drive-in
Joy Lan Drive-in
16414 Highway 301
Dade City, FL 33523
The Joy-Lan Drive-in is a single screen drive-in movie theater located in Dade City, Florida which is located about half way between Tampa and Orlando...
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Swap Shop Drive-in
3121 West Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Originally named the Thunderbird Drive-in, the now named Swap Shop Drive-in of Fort Lauderdale, FL is the largest of America's drive-in theaters (as i...
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Sun-Ray's Drive-in
869 Willow Branch Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32205
Sun Ray's Drive-in is a small, single screen drive-in movie theater located in Jacksonville, Florida. The owners of the drive-in are Tim Massett and ...
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Silver Moon Drive-in
4100 New Tampa Highway
Lakeland, FL 33815
The Silver Moon Drive-in is a twin screen drive-in movie theater located in Lakeland, Florida which is about half way between Tampa and Orlando. In c...
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Ocala Drive-in
4850 South Pine Avenue
Ocala, FL 34480
The Ocala Drive-in is a two screen drive-in movie theater located in Ocala, Florida. It was opened way back in 1948 and operated from then until it c...
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Ruskin Drive-in Theater
5011 Highway 41 North
Ruskin, FL 33572
The Ruskin Family Drive-in is a single screen drive-in theater located in Ruskin, Florida. It is common to see grandparents returning to the Ruskin F...
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Proposed Drive-ins
Lighthouse 5 Drive-in Theatre
County Rd 44
Eustis, FL 32736
The Lighthouse 5 Drive-in Theatre is a PROPOSED 5 screen drive-in movie theater that will be located on County Road 44 in Eustis, Florida which is abo...
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Permanantly Closed Drive-ins
Dale Drive-in Theater
Highway 92 W. and Berkley Road
Auburndale, FL 33823
Bartow Outdoor Drive-in
1705 Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33830
Lakes Drive-in Theater
1391 North Main Street
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Boulevard Drive-in Theater
1532 South Woodland Boulevard
DeLand, FL 32720
The Boulevard Drive-in was closed in 1993 after its single screen was badly damaged in a storm and the owners decided not to spend the money for the n...
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Delray Drive-in Theater
2001 N. Federal Highway
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Northside Drive-in
2521 North Tamiami Trail
Fort Myers, FL 33903
The last we knew, the drive-in screen was still there and the drive-in is for sale for the right price. So if you are looking for a drive-in theater ...
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Playtime Triple Family Drive-in
6300 Blanding Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32244
Open 60 years, the Playtime 2 Drive-in finally closed in 2008. During its history it started as a normal drive-in. Then switched to soft core porn in...
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Swap Shop Drive-in Lake Worth
3438 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth, FL 33461
The Lake Worth Drive-in and Swap Shop was a two screen drive-in movie theater and swap shop located in Lake Worth, Florida. It was the last remaining...
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Naples Drive-in
Firano Drive & Davis Boulevard
Naples, FL 34112
28th Street Drive-in
4990 28th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33714
We regret to report that this colorful and popular Drive-in which opened-up in 1950 and which had also been so nicely maintained in its later years, h...
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Swap Shop Fun Lan Drive-in
2302 E Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL 33610
The Swap Shop Fun Lan Drive-in (originally known as simply the Fun Lan Drive-in) was located in Tampa, FL. Originally a single screen drive-in when it...
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West Palm Beach Drive-in
1140 Old Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33461
Star-Lite Drive-in Theater
1171 East Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
The Star-Lite Drive-in Theater was opened way back in 1949 when drive-in theaters were really starting to take off in the United States. It was a one...
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