The Best Gear to Take to a Drive-In Movie Theater

Instead of enjoying a blockbuster at a multiplex this summer, moviegoers are turning to a retro outdoor classic: the drive-in theater. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, drive-ins offer fresh air, ample room for social distancing, and a fun, family-friendly activity. (Be sure to check your theater’s protocols before you go.)

I recently drove 75 miles from my home in the suburbs of Washington, DC, to Stephens City, Virginia, to take in a double feature (Jurassic Park and Jaws) at the Family Drive-In Theatre—the only permanent drive-in theater open in the northern part of the state. It was a picturesque evening with clear skies, warm (not humid) weather, and families enjoying a rare outing. For a moment, life felt normal again.

My night at the drive-in was one of the nicest I’ve spent during quarantine. The key to a similar experience? Preparation. Here are a few essentials (and some fun extras) to help you make the most of your movie night under the stars.

From comfy seating to Sawyer Picaridin, check out Justin Redman's Drive-In essentials here.

फोटो थंबनेल ब्लॉग लेखक
Staff
Wirecutter Staff

Staff picks for Wirecutter.

दस्ते से

हमारे समुदाय के साथ कैम्प फायर वार्तालाप, स्क्वाड सदस्यों और राजदूतों से लेकर ब्रांड पार्टनर्स और सॉयर टीम तक।

मीडिया मेंशन

Sawyer’s spray offers an impressive 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, and a little less (eight hours) against flies, gnats, and chiggers.

Korin Miller
Health, Lifestyle and Commerce Writer

मीडिया मेंशन

Sawyer’s Permethrin spray has also worked as promised.

Mark Melotik
Freelance Writer

मीडिया मेंशन

Sawyer, for example, checks to ensure that no pore size exceeds 0.01 microns, stating that “the filters are then checked four more times at crucial points of assembly for filter integrity before they make their way onto the shelf.”

Dan Hu
लेखक