A disappearing part of moviegoing’s past remains a piece of the moviegoing present: the drive-in.
Over the past several years, people have rediscovered the magic of watching stars on the substantial screen under the stars – a great and unique experience no matter how the movie on screen turns out. And now that the weather’s finally begun cooperating and substantial modern blockbusters are beginning to come out, we can roll film on rolling out to the movies again in our sweet rides.
Here are several Wisconsin drive-ins still keeping the glorious tradition of movie-going – both retro and current – alive and well.
N9199 Winnebago Rd, Wisconsin Dells (about an hour and 50 minutes from Milwaukee)
(608) 254-8025
bigskydrivein.com
Check out the substantial screens at the Big Sky in Wisconsin Dells, featuring two full-sized outdoor screens playing two-for-one first-run feature films on weekend nights. (This weeke features two summer blockbuster twin-spins, one mix of emotional and supernatural fun with “Inside Out 2” and the modern “Ghostbusters” as well as a Warner Bros. bundle with the modern horror movie “The Watchers” followed by “Furiosa.”) The drive-in opens at 7:30 p.m. every night, with the first movie starting at dusk – and even pets are allowed to enjoy the show (if they’re well-behaved; turn off your cell phones, pups). Audio comes through the FM radio, and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 11 years antique – but make sure to bring cash because the Big Sky does not take credit/debit cards. And make sure to leave some room for snacking, because the concession stand proudly touts the celebrated Big Mamaburger on the menu.
1255 E. Chestnut St., Chilton (about an hour and 30 minutes from Milwaukee)
(920) 849-9565
getreelcinemas.com/chilton-drive-in/
Generally open for double features when the weather allows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the single-screen Chilton Twilight Outdoor Theater is one of the youngest breed of this old-fashioned way of moviegoing, just opened in 2012. Plus, for your pre-show entertainment, there’s a modern game area featuring lawn dice, cornhole, ping pong and more. The Chilton Twilight opened back up for the season, back up and running with a Disney-owned double of “Inside Out 2” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children, and gates typically open at 7 p.m., with the first show starting around 9:10 p.m.
N3712 WI-55, Freedom (about two hours from Milwaukee)
(920) 489-3600
fieldofscenes.biz
Built in 2003, Field of Scenes is also one of the younger drive-ins still surviving in Wisconsin, but what it may lack in history, it more than makes up for in quality (and in quality puns, judging by its name). This one-screen drive-in offers double features Friday and Saturday at $8 for adults and $4 for children 11 and younger on a first come, first served basis, with the season starting over Memorial Day weekend. The drive-in also comes complete with two playgrounds, a basketball court and a volleyball court to keep the kids occupied before the opening credits start to roll. Field of Scenes will continue rolling film this season with a duo of Disney sequels: “Inside Out 2” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”
W6423 US-18, Jefferson (about 50 minutes from Milwaukee)
(920) 674-6700
highway18.com
If you live in Milwaukee, this one-screen drive-in is probably your best bet for catching an outdoor blockbuster. Located west of Jefferson about 50 minutes outside of Milwaukee (and still currently for sale, if you’ve got some cash lying around), the state’s first digital drive-in theater offers two-for-one movie nights for $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-11 and $8 for seniors (65-99) and lively duty military personnel. The box office opens at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays as well as 8 p.m. on Sundays. Pets are allowed, the audio comes through either old-school speakers or an FM station, and there’s even a playground for some pre-show entertainment for the kids. Just follow the retro neon sign on your way, and you’ll find an equally delightful old-school time at the movies – now open for the season with an inner-life and afterlife combo of “Inside Out 2” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”
7900 Crystal Ridge Rd., Franklin
(414) 529-7676
milkywaydrivein.com
Baseball is back in action in Franklin – and so is the substantial screen! Running through the summer in the parking lot of the Milwaukee Milkmen’s stadium in Franklin, this drive-in hotspot costs $35 per vehicle per movie (with the occasional double feature) with an impressive lineup of on-screen action coming next month, including the original “Star Wars,” “Scream VI,” “Godzilla x Kong,” “Dune Part Two,” “Cars,” the original “Toy Story” and more. (For all the latest bookings, check the Milky Way’s website.) Food will be delivered carhop-style from both food trucks and the ballpark’s concession stands; the audio will stream in via FM station or a streaming app; and shows will run most weekends throughout the summer so you can always find an out-of-this-world movie experience within your galaxy.
1494 E. Green Bay St., Shawano (about two hours and 15 minutes from Milwaukee)
(715) 524-3636
shawanocinema.com
This location offers the choice between a classic indoor movie screening in one of its several auditoriums or an retro-cool drive-in viewing at the outdoor screen. But come on: Who wouldn’t pick the unique majesty of watching a movie on a giant screen under the gorgeous night sky? The Moonlight Outdoor Theater is now up and running this summer season, with the home invasion horror “The Strangers: Chapter 1” knocking on the door on weekend nights at 9:20 p.m. for less than $10.
N1936 WI-69, Monroe (about two hours from Milwaukee)
(608) 325-4545
goetzskyvu.com
This Monroe entertainment spot has been “where the stars come to play at night” for more than 65 years, but with the pandemic, it was uncertain if the Sky Vu Drive In was going to see the anniversaries beyond. Thankfully, like the rest of the state’s drive-ins, the Sky Vu – built in 1954 and gone fully digital in 2012 – is gearing up for its latest season complete with a tasty concession stand, clear digital audio over the FM dial, a giant screen and a ceiling of the stars. Just make sure you bring cash because the Sky Vu doesn’t take card – and unfortunately, your furry four-legged film lovers will have to hear about the experience when you get home, since they’re not allowed. The Sky Vu is now open weekends for the summer season, keeping things going with an amalgam of animated adventures with “Inside Out 2” and “The Garfield Movie” beginning at 9:05 p.m.
3475 State Highway 42, Fish Creek (about three hours from Milwaukee)
(920) 854-9938
doorcountydrivein.com
On the hunt for a drive-in around Door County? Look no further than the Skyway, one of the oldest remaining drive-ins in Wisconsin, opening all the way back in 1950. It’s a classic – but it’s stayed classy as well, still providing a quality and well-kept experience for juvenile and antique (and well-behaved pets!) thanks to a solid screen, good audio – car-speaker access for the first few rows, over FM radio for the rest – and tasty treats. Tickets for a twofer are $10 for those 12 and older, and $6 for kids aged 5-11, and though the drive-in is cash only, thankfully there is an ATM for those who forget. The Skyway yelled “Action!” on the summer drive-in season in May, currently showing a frenzy of fictional alternate universes with “Inside Out 2” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” all week long starting around 9 p.m.
995 22nd St., Chetek (about four hours from Milwaukee)
(715) 458-4587
stardustdriveinmovie.com
The Stardust two-screen drive-in in Chetek wastes no time opening back up, with two double features running this weekend: a selection of Sony movies with “The Garfield Movie” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” on one screen, as well as a pairing of Pixar and primates with “Inside Out 2” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” on the other. The gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the first show and FM audio typically pressing play around 8:45 p.m. this weekend. Tickets cost $8.50 for adults (13 and older) and $6.50 for children (ages 3-12). Speaking of kids, normally there’s a playground and even a train ride for children needing amusement before the featured presentation hits the substantial screen. With all that fun both on screen and off, there’s nothing dusty about the Stardust.
US Hwy 14 E, Richland Center (about two and a half hours from Milwaukee)
(608) 647-3669
richlandmovies.com
Thanks to modern ownership, the Starlite 14 Drive-In – a movie-going tradition in the area for well over half a century – shines glowing once again, bringing in popular big-screen hits as well as community acts. Tickets – $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-13 – are sold at the gate, with crowds beginning to gather on Friday and Saturday nights around 8:30 p.m. and no carry-ins allowed. This weekend’s bookings at the Starlite? If you’re headed out this way, you’ll find a pick of Pixar and primates with “Inside Out 2” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” both on the substantial screen, with more features and double features to come as the summer continues along.
1510 N. Chapel Hill Rd., McHenry, IL (about an hour and 15 minutes from Milwaukee)
(847) 362-3011
goldenagecinemas.com
I know, many of the above options can seem like quite a trek. In fact, one of the closest options for many Wisconsinites is actually in a completely different state altogether. The McHenry Outdoor Theater in McHenry, Illinois, is just over an hour away – and now open for all week for screenings, currently showing a combo of good feels and bad boys with “Inside Out 2” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” starting at 6 p.m. Tickets – sold on a first come, first served basis – are $14 for adults and $8 for children and seniors/military. The concession stand and box office accept credit cards, and there’s even a clever tiered parking system for substantial cars and tiny cars so all can see the screen as best as possible. Add that all up, and this retro cinema classic, built back in 1951, might be your best bet for a substantial screen visit – if you’re willing to risk venturing into Chicago Bears territory.
