Arizona got off to a late and modest start in
the outdoor cinema biz. There were a dozen
different states that had already hosted their
first drive-in theatre .. during the 1930's, and
both Texas & California had a couple drive-ins
up and running in the 30's. Even during the 40's,
things developed very gradually in Arizona... with
only 5 drive-in theatres opening. But by the late 50's,
during the heydey of the Outdoor Cinema, there were
no less than 49 Drive-in theatres operating in Arizona.

Since that time, the number of functional drive-ins
in the state has declined by 92% and, presently,
there are four drive-in theatres that remain open
(with a total of 20 outdoor screens among them).
Meanwhile, there are two attempts underway to
expand the cinema under the stars in Arizona.

Glendale (Maricopa County) Arizona  see listing under:  Phoenix Globe (Gila County) Arizona Apache Drive-in:  928-425-4511 located on U.S. Highway 60 The smallest of Arizona's remaining Drive-ins has a solo screen (and is the only single-screen Drive-in which is still operating in the state of Arizona), with a capacity for up to 160 cars. Open seasonally, April thru September. Some traditional pole speakers remain, but audio is primarily AM (540) radio broadcast. Admission: for any number of passengers, $5 per carload covers it. Golden Valley (Mohave County) Arizona Golden Valley Drive-in Theatre:  520-565-2701 located on Highway 68   {under development} Arizona's first contribution to the overall renaissance of Drive-in movie theatres in America may be modest - a 100 car Dr'in featuring current flicks & film revivals, proposing to operate primarily on a membership basis. Phoenix (Maricopa County) Arizona Glendale 9 Drive-in:  623-939-9715 located at 55th Ave & Bethany Home Road Arizona's largest Drive-in theatre has 9 screens, each lit with a double feature, year round. Audio provided exclusively via FM radio for all screens. Admission: $5.25 per person (kids under 11 free); discounted ADM on Family Fun Nite (Tuesdays): $3. FleaMkt SwapMeet held here Sat/Sun (5am-2pm). Scottsdale (Maricopa County) Arizona Scottsdale Drive-in:  480-949-9451 located at 8101 East McKellips Road (across from Green Acres Memorial Park) The Scottsdale has half a dozen screens and each of them is lit with a double feature every nite. On the weekends (Fri/Sat) there is a repeat screening of the 1st feature as a bonus LateShow. Audio is provided by FM stereo radio only. The Drive-in is open year-round (7 nites) and has a capacity to accomodate up to 1800 cars among all screens. Admission: $5.25 per person; children 11 & under admitted free; Tuesday (discount nite): adults $3. Tucson (Pima County) Arizona Apache Drive-in Theatre:   DARK formerly located at 1600 East Benson Highway The Apache had remained lit for 39 years before it went dark in 1994, and so joined 6 other Drive-ins that had once flourished in the Tucson area .. but are now found along the Lost Highway:   The Fiesta was the first to go (in '66); and then The Prince ('76); the 22nd Street Drive-in & The Midway (both, in '79); followed by The Rodeo ('81) and then Tucson-5 ('88). Tucson (Pima County) Arizona De Anza Drive-in:  520-745-2240 located at 1401 South Alvernon Way (¼mi south of East 22nd Street) The DeAnza has been lit since 1977 (prior to that time a Drive-in had been in operation at this location - The Cactus Drive-in, since 1951). The DeAnza is open year-round, but in winter months they cut back to 4 nites (Friday-Monday); meanwhile all of their four screens however do remain lit with double features on each of them thru the winter; plus LateShow on Fri/Sat nites. Audio for all screens provided via FM radio only. Admission: $6 per person (children under 12 free); Monday Nite Special: adults charged $3 per person. Williams (Coconino County) Arizona     Route 66 Drive-in Theatre:    Opening in May of 2003 located {under construction} at 950 North Airport Road Although the next Arizona Drive-in to open or reopen is technically a new-build, from the ground up, it happens that the focalpoint of this new outdoor picture show - its BigScreen tower, is a revival ...   the 'resurrection' of a former Route 66 Drive-in screen tower in Flagstaff, AZ .. which was taken apart sequentially, and its components were then relocated to Williams, AZ, to be reconstructed and then re-surfaced, in time for a Season 2003 opening.

If you are aware of any Drive-ins
that we seem to have missed, or
would like to contribute any
information to our efforts,
please use this envelope
to send a letter to us.

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