Outdoor movies — including drive-in theaters, of course — are having a moment right now.
There are only about 300 permanent drive-ins across the country. But this year, more and more are cropping up, including 160 temporary screens at Walmart. 📽️
The corporate giant is turning some of its parking lots into socially distant drive-in theaters, with a series of family-friendly movies from August through October. Locations will be announced in early August.
The Kansas City metro area already has a range of outdoor movie opportunities — from pop-ups in parking lots to decades-old mainstays.
Just get ready to dive into nostalgia-heavy films, since new releases won’t make it to the big screens until late July or August. 🎬
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| 1. Twin Drive-In — Independence, MO
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The Twin Drive-In, located in Independence, MO, first opened in November 1965. B&B Theatres has operated the drive-in since 2015, and it now shows films seven days a week. 🎬
Doors open each night at 8:15 p.m., and it’s suggested that you arrive early to secure your spot for the 9 p.m. showtime.
The concession stand will be open, but with social distancing measures in place and a maximum of 10 people at a time. Bring your credit card or debit card, as they won't be accepting cash.
One vehicle per parking spot parked six feet apart. 🚗 And customers must stay near their vehicles unless they visit the restroom or the concession stand.
Playing this week: “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980); "Black Panther" (2018); and “Inside Out” (2015). See showtimes online.
💲 $20 per carload, plus tax. Tickets are available online.
📍 Twin Drive-In, Missouri 291 and E. Kentucky Road, Independence, MO
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| 2. Screenland Armour — North Kansas City, MO
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In early June, Screenland Armour was the first metro area movie theater to reopen — with limited seating, social distancing and lots of cleaning. At the end of the month, with permission from the city, the independent theater launched outdoor movies in a back parking lot on Friday and Saturday nights. 🎬
Movies are announced each Tuesday. Recent picks have included 1980s classics, such as “Beetlejuice,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Ghostbusters” and “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.”
Tickets are sold in groups — with spacing a minimum of 6 feet apart. Be sure to wear a mask and bring your own lawn chairs when you check-in behind the main building. 🪑
No outdoor food or drinks (except water) are permitted, which gives you an excuse to dig into the best movie treats: Big bags of popcorn 🍿 boxes of candy and craft beer. You can find pizza and drinks in the outdoor parklet along Armour, too. 🍕
Doors open at 7:45 p.m. and screenings start at sundown — around 8:45-9 p.m. It’s recommended that you arrive at least by 8 p.m. to get settled in.
📍 Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Road, North Kansas City, MO
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| 3. Boulevard Drive-In — Kansas City, KS
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The Boulevard Drive-In near Rosedale Park turns 70 this year. Owner Wes Neal has worked there since 1954. 🎬
During the day on Saturdays and Sundays, there’s a “Swap ‘n’ Shop” flea market. And, every night during the weekend, this drive-in boasts the “world’s first 4k drive-in cinema experience,” a 4k digital projection system with sharper images than Blue-ray.
Instead of the regular double feature, you can catch one movie each night this season.
They've implemented some other changes in the COVID-19 era: Capacity will be limited to 50% with 6-feet between each vehicle. Face coverings are required if you leave your car.
The playground is closed, and so is the snack bar — so bring your own popcorn and drinks. 🍿 🥤 And, if you’d like to sit in your lawn chairs, make sure they’re placed between your vehicle and the screen — not next to your car.
Just tune your car radio to 89.7 FM to listen in. Then, you can easily turn it back to KCUR 89.3 — or our new sister station 91.9 Classical KC! 📻
Gates open at 8:30 p.m. Pro tip: Arrive by 8:10 p.m. to get a good spot. Screenings are at 9:15 p.m.
Playing this weekend: “Iron Man," “Back to the Future” and “Airplane."
💲 $10 per person, children under 11 are free. Purchase your tickets at the box office.
📍 Boulevard Drive-In, 1051 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, KS
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| 4. Movies in the Park — Shawnee, KS
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This summer, Theatre in the Park’s annual Broadway-style musicals may be canceled — but outdoor movies will be screened on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. through August 14.
Some of the upcoming movie nights will show family-friendly films such as Stephen Spielberg-directed “Hook” and the stop-motion animation “Missing Link” (2019).
Audiences are limited to 250 people — and all are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. Limited concessions, including beer and wine, will be available as well. 🍺 And 8-foot circles, 6 feet apart, have been added to the seating area for easy social distancing — see photo above for details.
We suggest buying your tickets online to reserve your spot in advance, rather than waiting to buy them at the box office.
Playing this weekend: "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Friday, and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on Saturday.
📍 The Theatre in the Park, Shawnee Mission Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS
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| 5. National World War I Museum and Memorial — Kansas City, MO
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The National WWI Museum and Memorial was one of the first metro-area museums to re-open in June — with advanced ticketing, social distancing and lots of cleaning.
But, if you’re not quite ready to go inside, they’re still offering events online — or, you can walk the extensive grounds and check out great views of the Kansas City skyline. 🏙️
The museum presents a free summer film series on a 23-foot jumbo screen on the southeast lawn. In July, the featured film was “1917,” the Sam Mendes film following the journey of two wartime messengers. 📽️
Coming up next, on Friday, August 14, at 8:30 p.m: “Wonder Woman!” As the museum describes it, “Lauded as one of the decade’s must-see movies, this blockbuster tells an epic origin story of Wonder Woman and her mythic rise to power in WWI.”
Before the screenings, curators often share highlights from the collection — and the museum will also provide some stories about some of the real-life women who served in WWI.
Grab a lawn chair or blanket, some snacks and bug spray — and don’t forget to check out the sunset. 🌇 There’s a cap on attendance and volunteers will direct you to your socially-distanced squares.
Playing next: "Wonder Woman!" on Friday, Aug. 14
💲 Free. RSVP in advance — spots fill up quick!
📍 National World War I Museum and Memorial, Southeast Lawn, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO
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| More Adventures in Kansas City
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|  | Crown Center WeekEnder 2020
Cap off your week with local bands and your favorite food trucks, with plenty of space to social distance. Catch The Magnetics Friday, July 17, at 6 p.m.
| |  | Movie in the Park — "Shrek"
Catch a free showing of “Shrek" at Freedom Fields south parking lot in Lenexa, KS. The drive-in movie starts at dusk, around 9 p.m. Admission is free.
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