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Catch an Outdoor Movie in the Last Month of Midwest Summer 

by Amy "frankie" Felegy and Mia McGill

People sit on a hillside watching a movie
Attendees watch a film overlooking Lake Superior in Duluth at a Movies in the Park event.

From drive-ins to park flicks, here’s a list of where to break out the popcorn (and out of doors) near you.

Outdoor movie theaters may have peaked in the U.S. in the late 1950s, but the Midwest is keeping the tradition of hot dog concessions and FM radio tuning alive. 

As summer winds down, here are some spots to enjoy open-air cinema, from drive-ins to park flicks, free to paid, and for young and old. 

South Dakota

South Dakota’s oldest drive-in theater opened in 1946. Many notable films like Armageddon were also filmed in South Dakota (maybe you’ll catch one of them at a screening!) 

An overhead view of people sitting outdoors for a movie. There's a city skyline with tall buildings in the background.
The Nightlight 21+ Outdoor Movie Series in Columbus, Ohio.

Indiana

With over a dozen drive-in theaters across the state, Indiana loves its movies. You can catch them while floating in a pool or on the plaza across the state. Others include: 

Ohio

Ohio might take the prize for the most outdoor movie options (we counted over 30!) DriveInMovie.com says Ohio hosted one of the first 10 drive-ins in the country and once had nearly 190 of them. It boasts the third-most drive-ins in the country, behind New York and Pennsylvania. 

Four people siting on top of a car near a field and smiling.
Photo Credit: Drive N’ Theatre Facebook
Drive N’ Theatre in Newton, IL, also called the Fairview Drive-in Theatre, opened in a rural cornfield in 1953 where it remains today.

Illinois

Illinois has half a dozen drive-in theaters across the state, some with additional events like corn mazes. But movies aren’t limited to car owners, with plenty of options across parks and even on rooftops. 

Michigan

We’re nicknaming this state Movie Michigan: From its handful of drive-ins and park showings, the state has your entertainment needs covered. 

North Dakota

Parks and movies (and farms, apparently!) have never paired better. Check out these spots for some North Dakota options. 

Wisconsin

There are several drive-in theaters in Wisconsin and one fly-in (part of an Oshkosh aviation event), plus outdoor movies across Milwaukee and the state. 

A person holding a hot dog in front of a large outdoor movie screen.
Photo Credit: Mia McGill
Outdoor cinema is about the movies, yes—but it’s also about the food. Many drive-in theaters offer concessions with classic popcorn, drinks, and other bites.

Iowa

Iowa is home to four drive-in movie theaters and plenty of options to bring out the folding chair and snack of choice. The Blue Grass Drive-In opened less than a decade ago and is still expanding (it has four projectors!) while others have been open for 75 years. 

 

Minnesota

Minnesota is full of free outdoor movies (our three favorite things!) and drive-in theaters across just about the whole state. And Minneapolis is home to the We Outside Film Fest in July.