Here’s where to watch beloved classic movies and new blockbusters al fresco in the Windy City.
At once nostalgic and COVID - safe , drive - in flick theaters have experienced a deserved revivification over the past couple years , including throughout the Chicagoland arena . For those averse to being price gouged over popcorn or crowding into indoor pack theaters ( thanks , Tom Cruise ) , outdoor and tug - in movies furnish that same cinematic impact and communal experience , minus the exorbitant price or risk of take in the latest Omicron variation while catch the late Marvel caper .
In and around Chicago , al fresco films allow for a house - friendly option . Although drive - in field of operations have dwindle since their Americana heyday , a few holdouts are still going firm in the ‘ burbs — and well worth the mini road tripper for affordable duple feature and old - shoal conceding like cash - only confect and raging dog . Meanwhile , if you ’d rather unfurl a outing blanket and BYO snacks , Chicago has plenty of outdoor picture show experiences happen all summertime long throughout the metropolis . Whether you ’re count for an all - American blast from the past or a occasional vicinity field day in a parkland , here are the best outdoor and drive - in motion picture theatre near Chicago .
ChiTown Movies
PilsenAs per nostalgic tradition , labour - in moving picture theatre are typified as adorably rickety relics tucked away in quiet suburbs , surround by some personal manner of forest and/or field , far from the hustle and bustle of modernistic urban center life history . While that is certainly rightful for most repel - in theaters , one venture is zigging against the zag right on in the heart of Chicago . ChiTown Movies is a full - vaunt drive - in movie theater in Pilsen , the mural - clad neighborhood on the approximate southwest side . The theater is surprisingly immense for a metropolis lot , with plenty of room for 10 row of railcar , all angle at a mammoth CRT screen projecting undivided lineament likeShrek , The Sandlot , and the most Chicago motion-picture show of all sentence , Ferris Bueller ’s Day Off . Customers can order food — like pizza , taco , and offstage — to be delivered right to their window . ram from Chicago : None — it ’s in Pilsen .
McHenry Outdoor Theater
McHenry , IllinoisFrom the neon - drape jukebox and vintage arcade games to the old - schoolhouse radios usable to rent and listen to the movies , McHenry Outdoor Theater feels genuinely preserved in time . Open since the ‘ 50s , not a lot has changed at this colossal drive - in complex north of the city , including its affordable duple feature and its comfort food provisions , from hot pretzels and hot dog to the kind of nachos that number slathered in cheese as atomic number 10 as the nickelodeon . Movies start at sundown , and include back - to - back blockbusters likeLightyearandThor : Love and Thunder . Drive from Chicago : About an 60 minutes and a one-half .
Route 34 Drive-In Theater
Earlville , IllinoisNestled on a vast grassy field in the far westerly suburban area , there ’s something extra passive and pastoral about Route 34 Drive - In Theater . Unlike many drive - in field , which are unremarkably located on gravel or dirt , the grassy terrain make it more prosperous to sit out of doors on a lawn chair , or have the tyke run around and frolic before sundown . The cash - only property opens on weekend at 6:30 pm , with back - to - back movies starting at dusk . On any give week , features can includeDC League of Super Pets , follow by a whip pivot toTwister — a movie that splendidly boast a picture with a drive - in picture theatre being blown to bits . The theater of operations also has an indoor pool table , and ruffle - complimentary grant admit Warren Burger and Zea mays everta ( made with actual butter , as the internet site emphatically assures).Drive from Chicago : About an hour and a half .
49er Drive-in
Valparaiso , IndianaLocated just over the Indiana border , the forty-nine Drive - in is a seasonal summertime custom that delivers the goods with filth - cheap double features ( $ 10 for adults , $ 5 for kids 5 - 11 , free for 4 and under ) , periodic hot music events , and an emphasis on family - friendly films — thinkFinding Doryfollowed byAlice in Wonderland , orDC League of Super Petsfollowed by the newElvisbiopic . The concessions menu is amazingly rich for a drive - in theater , with extensive options like chili cheese minor , mini corn dogs , fry green noodle , funnel cakes , Polish sausage , and Italian beef . you may even get a cappuccino coffee , in suit you need an vitality boost for the second covering . It ’s all John Cash - only , but there ’s an ATM in the concessions area . labour from Chicago : About an 60 minutes .
Chicago Parks
Various locationsA summer rite of transition in Chicago , flop up there with street festivals androoftop suck , Movies in the Parks is a fun and festal way to take reward of the city ’s glory days . Courtesy of the Chicago Park District , the seasonal serial publication project outdoor movie on bug out - up screens in ballpark throughout the urban center until the end of August . Even gimcrack than a drive - in theater , all film are free to attend , and they ’re the perfect circumstance for picnic with family unit and supporter ( many movies are fellowship - well-disposed , but some , likeKing RichardandThe Gay Divorcee , skew more fledged ) . Check the calendar for an exhaustive list of picture show and park , and there ’s bound to be something that jibe your fancy . Movies start right after sunset , but arrive too soon if you ’d care to scope out a prime maculation . Drive from Chicago : None — they’re all over the metropolis .
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Millennium ParkA popular point for out-of-door concert , festivals , and selfies by the Bean , Millennium Parkis also a particularly beautiful home to take in an al fresco picture . With the stupefying skyline as a twinkling backdrop , free - to - attend to outdoor movies are screened on Tuesday nights through September 6 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion . Just like concerts at the pavilion , though , the movies are especially popular , and the sprawl lawn is known to fill up rather quickly , so keep that in psyche for your child’s play scheme . Movies start at 6:30 pm , and this year ’s roster features saltation - revolutionise films with the theme “ 2022 Year of Chicago Dance . ” These includeEncanto , In The Heights , soiled Dancing , andSave the Last Dance . tug from Chicago : None — it ’s in the heart of downtown ’s biggest tourist attraction .
Water Flicks at Navy Pier
StreetervilleIt shit sense that Navy Pier , an almost infamously kinsperson - favorable tourist attraction jut out into Lake Michigan from Streeterville , would host an out-of-door film serial dedicate exclusively to family - inspired pic . Another free option , movies are aired in the grassy Polk Bros Park on soda - up screens overlooking the water . hold every Monday Nox through August 29 , genetic menu includes the requisiteEncanto , Rent , Clifford the Big Red Dog , Minari , andMeet the Parents . attendee are welcome to impart their own provision , or catch something to - go from any of Navy Pier’smyriad truehearted - casual restaurant , like I Dream of Falafel , America ’s Dog & Burger , Big Bowl Chinese Express , Big City Chicken , and Frankie ’s Pizza by the Slice . Drive from Chicago : None — it ’s flop on the lake business district .
Gallagher Way
WrigleyvilleAnother free all - ages alternative is the ongoing out-of-door film series at Gallagher Way , the meticulously landscape park distance surrounded by dress shop restaurants , shops , and hotel rooms — oh , and Wrigley Field is across the street . It ’s the arrant spot to fling a mantle , bring some snacks , and take in a flick . Held on Wednesday nighttime through September 21 , eclectic movies include the inescapableEncanto , Grease , Bohemian Rhapsody , andField of Dreams , which is the perfect matter to watch in the tincture of Wrigley Field . Drive from Chicago : None — it ’s across from Wrigley Field .
Navy Pier
Flickr/BWChicago
Route 34 Drive-In Theatre
Chicago Park District
Navy Pier
Gallagher Way Chicago
