Van Buren Drive-In Theatre

This place was a-​ok. I do prefer the Rubidoux Tri-​Plex drive-​in over this one for a couple of reasons.
This place is a little bit overcrowded with the locals, which isn’t a good thing. I came here a week or more ago to watch the new Warcraft movie that was released, and I had fun. I had fun, until some idiots decided to light fireworks after the intro was introduced to the movie. I’m assuming that they were fans of the game itself, and just wanted to show their appreciation for the movie/​franchise. Whatever the case may have been, it was pretty ghetto and annoying to do in the first place.
The screening of the film itself was actually pretty decent. I went with my brother and his gf, and the bluetooth reception in his car actually did it’s job. The sound was nice and clear as well as very bass inducing. What’s a movie without surround sound in it?
I would comment on the food, but then again I never once went to the concession stands to buy food. I brought food with me since I knew it was going to be cheaper. Therefore the pricing on the food and how it tasted, I don’t know.
What I do know though is that the pricing for the movie at this drive-​in was a little bit above average. We paid $ 27 for 3 adult tickets, which was a little pricey, but hell what do you expect at a drive-​in.
Overall this establishment wasn’t a bad experience nor a great experience. I think my rating of a ³⁄₅ is good enough for it.
Get your popcorn ready and enjoy!

Swapin it! This is the better swap meet of Riverside I would say ~ as good as L.A.‘s Cali’ swap meets… not too hot yet!

We love to take the kids here, pile all the blankets in the back of the truck and watch a couple of movies. They have bomb Mexican food in the snack bar too!

I was excited to do something different with the kiddos and I thought this would be the PERFECT surprise. We arrived 1 hour before the movie began. We only waited 1 – 2 minutes before paying to get in. We immediately drove to our screen. The first row was filled up HOWEVER we found a spot in the center of the 2^nd row. Perfect!
Before the movie began I walked to the bathroom, not far at all from where we parked. The bathroom was clean and not crowded. I peeked in to see the snack bar and boy did the food look delicious! The Super Nachos looked PHENOMENAL! The prices were BEYOND fair. The cooks wore gloves and they were moving people in and out swiftly by calling your number to come and get your order.
We brought our own food with us so I didn’t buy anything. However I went back to get a veggie quesadilla because the no sodium rice I packed simply was not good at all. I only wish they had sour cream but all of the other condiments were great! The kids ate pizza and fresh fruit that came with us BUT we did get them popcorn from the snack bar, they loved it.
All of the families were hanging with each other having fun and eating. We were at theatre 3. Angry Birds began and the picture quality was great along with the sound quality. We packed a portable radio BUT we didn’t need it. Between the other cars around us we were good to go! There was no glare of any type on the screen. No excessive talking from other people. Just silence and laughter. We had a WONDERFUL time!
Definitely returning here this summer for sure!!!

Been here multiple times every single time has been during the weekday.
And I have to say it’s always been a pleasure, always been able to find a good spot, yes occasionally you’ll get the loud people but usually just roll up your windows in you are good.

Loved this place before my kid was born, love it even more after. I’m amazed at how many people in southern California dont even know they have drive-​ins nearby.

This place is awesome. Only downer is the line at the snack bar. Food is great and at a reasonable price but you will wait in line during the whole movie so bring snackes from home! Sucks when people smoke here. They should not allow that.

Always enjoy coming to the drive-​in at least once a month. U cant beat the price $ 9 for 2 movies. Snac Bar has a variety of food to choose from but u can always bring ur own food too. Toilet paper & seat covers r in the bathrms… sumtimes there’s a line so dont wait too long if u gotta go.

Amazing amazing love it. The carne asada nachos fire … everything in there to eat is amazing especially if it involves carne asada. meat is super soft and juicy. screens are great. I love this place A+++++

I like the place and the experience is a must. Every time I go it makes me think Oldies (specifically — Put Your Head On My Shoulders & This Magic Moment). Place isn’t the best but if you feel like watching 2 movies for the price of one it really doesn’t matter. Definitely will visit again.

I can here to watch Zoo-​Topia and it was fun… Got to get here early to get a good spot. People sit in spaces… The only thing was at theater one there’s a lot of back lights from buildings and theater lights that it’s in your face if you park at the front. But other than that it’s great! I will be visiting again beautiful drive in!

Fun for entire family. Took the kids to see zootopia, my kids first time at drive-​in. They loved it. We brought in our own dinner, chairs, speakers, blankets and snacks. $ 20 for family of 4, clean family atmosphere. Restrooms were clean, need more trash cans in parking area… saw lot of trash left and end of movie. Snack bar lines were long, but menu looked descent.

I don’t go to the theaters to watch a movie often, but a drive-​in is definitely a way to go –especially on a date night. I came here on a Saturday night with the boyfriend and we were about an hour early for our 9:30pm showing of Deadpool. We ended up watching part of Zoolander since we didn’t realize that the lanes were split into three separate screen as soon as you pay to enter. It’s only $ 9 per person for a double feature except when the double feature is back to back of the same movie as we ended up with. Either way, there’s a lot of space and almost every spot is a good view. They also have clean bathrooms and a place to purchase some food, which was reasonably priced. For us, we bought Chipotle to-​go with a couple bags of chips and ate in the car –it was perfect. The only thing was that our windows did start to fog up, so we had to open the sunroof. Nonetheless, great way to watch a movie.

Location: Off the 91 fwy and Van Buren
Drive In: Talk about throwback and retro, definitely a lost art of American history. I hope this place stays open for another 50 years. Just a unique way to watch a movie, you can bring the whole family.
Biggest advice: Read the FAQ’s pages on their website. The website itself provided some key information.
Snacks/​Concession: Reasonable price and far cheaper than AMC prices. But, if you can bring a car full of goods, do it.
Overall: 4-​stars and something I think everybody should do at least once, I would do this again.

What a unique and fun experience! My husband and I came here for the first time to watch a double feature and it was awesome. We arrived about an hour before the movie started and found a great parking space and got some snacks from the concession bar and waited for the movie to start. We used the FM radio in our car to hear the audio and it was a cozy and relaxing time together. I loved that we could talk and check our phones and adjust the sound to what we wanted. Next time we come we will remember to bring blankets and pillows!

So this was my first-​time at a drive-​in theater and I had a blast. We paid $ 9 per person for the double-​feature, which is a great deal. The concession stand snacks were cheap, but you are allowed to bring your own snacks, which is pretty cool. They even have Mexican food available, but I probably won’t go that route next time. One star off because when I bit into my bean/​rice/​cheese burrito, I had to spit it out because there was carne asada inside (I don’t eat meat). I ended up just giving it to my boyfriend because the movie had already started. He did encourage me to note that he thought the burrito was amazing lol.
Overall, awesome place. Can’t wait to come back [:

They raised their prices and I’m not even mad. The drive in is an amazing place. You can bring in whatever food you want, but why would you when you can get a great burrito for cheap! You could get two movies and a burrito for less than a large soda at the AMC (not sure if that’s true but it’s close).

2 movies for 1, date night fun. Digital Projection. The sound is as good as your car stereo unless you bring a boom box, or headphones of you’re rolling solo. Highly recommend a night out at the movies here.
My biggest complaint would be the concessions. DO NOT COME HUNGRY. Got here at 6:58. Movie starts at 7:30. The line was wrapped around the building the entire time, even when we left at 11pm. Unreal. Hire some more people for Saturday nights? Prices looked decent and food smelled good at least.

Great drive in! Compared to few others left, this one is deff my favorite. Gets crowded very quickly though, so show up early unless you want to be stuck behind a whole row of SUV’s. $ 9 per person charge, which is a bit pricey for a drive in (Hey, I still remember when you were just charged per car), buuuuutttt you can catch a double feature if you like which totally makes it worth it. Great place to bring your lawn chairs and watch outside your car on a warm summer’s night.
Tip: if you’re coming on a weekend night, be sure up get there as early as possible. When it gets close to show time the lines get crazy… like line all the way out to Van Buren St crazy. ;)

First of all, how cool is it to have a drive in that’s still kickin?!
I love the van buren drive in. It’s part of my hometown, and I’ve got so many memories of going with my friends. Last night a group of pals and I went to see Spy and Mad Max. Each screen always shows two movies. And they play the first movie again in case you missed it the first time.
I never at at the snack shop, we always bring our own food and drinks.
I appreciate that kind of freedom and the fun and relaxed environment there.
Van Buren drive in also hosts a farmers market multiple days of the week. Have t gone but definitely will check it out ASAP.