We attended a showing for editorial purposes. Opinions are our own
The in-person movie experience was a big part of our families lives. That came to a halt once the pandemic hit. Like many others, we stayed at home and relied heavily on streaming services for our entertainment. We were delighted when drive-in theaters opened up, allowing families to get out, and enjoy films socially distanced from the safety of our cars. The new WE Drive-Ins, located in Santa Monica, began showing new movie titles earlier this year along with special showings of films such as Minari and Boogie.
Our cars have been a wonderful escape during the quarantine and mixing in drive-in movies to our outings is ideal! WE Drive-Ins offers first time movie titles such as Raya and The Last Dragon, the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong and more. This past weekend WE Drive-Ins had a special re-showing of the award-winning film Minari. Tickets for the drive-in can easily be purchased on their website WEDriveIns. Food options range from concessions that can be ordered on site (through a QR code) or pre-order actual meals prior to the show. Staff will pick-up and deliver your meal from Mendocino Farms or Tocaya to your car! This is an awesome option for date nights!
Every spot in the intimate parking lot (former Sears Parking Lot) offers the perfect view of the screen. Larger vehicles are parked in the back of the lot where guests can view the film from the gate or rear of the car. The FM sound is crisp and clear which worked since Minari is a softer film. Safety is definitely a top priority for the staff. It was a bit windy the night we attended. The screen was taken down for a short time until the wind gusts died down. There was a delay in the start of the film BUT I appreciated that the staff looked out for our best interest and safety!
Sitting outside in front of your vehicle is also an option for guests. Bring along beach chairs with a blanket and a portable FM radio for a viewing under the stars. This would be a fun way to celebrate a birthday for the kids!
Drive-ins are nostalgic and hold a special place in our hearts. I have fond “back-in-the-day” memories of sitting in the way back of my aunt’s station wagon watching classic ’80s movies simultaneously with my cousins. Now my daughter will have her own memories of family drive-ins and I can see the drive-in experience back long-term. I love it!
I also highly recommend seeing Minari directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It is a beautiful story of an immigrant South Korean family moving to Arkansas from California to follow their American dream.
Check wedriveins.com for a listing of their upcoming films. Admission is for 2-6 people per car plus the We Pack (concessions). Giving back to the community is another mission of Ben Chou, the founder of WE Drive In. He creates fundraising events for nonprofits with portions of proceeds donated back to the community.
