10 Drive-In Theatres Near Toronto (Summer 2025)
There’s something about sitting in your car, watching a movie under the starts with your favourite people and snacks.
It’s the perfect summer evening activity, and its no wonder why drive-ins have made a huge comeback in popularity in recent years. We’re lucky to have more than a handful drive-in theatres near Toronto.
Going to the drive-in can be done with friends, as a romantic night out, or as a family with kids. It’s a timeless and old-fashioned fun that we’re lucky to still have available to use in Ontario.
As winter in Ontario melts away, the drive-ins start opening; some as early as April.
Supporting drive-in theatres not only provides a unique experience, but in the age of streaming, it supports the existence of drive-in theatres and often, small businesses too.
So let’s jump in!
Watch Movies Under the Stars Near Toronto
Looking for drive-in theatres in or near the Toronto area? Check out the 10 places below where you can enjoy movies under the stars with your favourite people
1. Stardust Drive-in Theatre
893 Mount Albert Road, Sharon, Ontario
Stardust Drive-In just outside Newmarket has three different movie screens. Owned by Premier Theatres, you can find their pricing and snack options below.
2. Sunset Barrie Drive-In Theatre
134 Line 4 South, Oro-Medonte, ON
Premier Theatre’s Sunset Barrie Drive-In Theatre is located just 15 minutes north of Barrie.
It also has three different movie screens, and the same snack options offered at other Premier theatre locations.
3. Vaughan International Film Festival Drive-In
Vaughn International Film Festival Drive-In (VIFF) is held every June just north of Toronto, near Canada’s Wonderland, and is dedicated to supporting the art of the short film industry.
So rather than watching big blockbuster movies that you can see anywhere else, at VIFF, you can watch short movies made by independent creators, some international, some Canadian, some high school students.
Over 19,000 people attend VIFF every year, and its now in its 11th year of running. Check out their website or follow them on social media to see their plans.
4. Starlight Drive-In Theatre
59 Green Mountain Rd E, Stoney Creek, ON
Starlite Drive-In is located just 20 minutes outside Hamilton, and less than 2 hours from Toronto.
Owned by Premier Theatres, it has the same snack options as the others and is a family-friendly affair with a kid’s area. See below for their pricing and food options.
5. Lindsay Twin Drive-In Theatre
229 Pigeon Lake Rd, Lindsay, ON
Lindsay Twin Drive-In Theatre is located in a small Ontario town called Lindsay, which is about an hour and a half from Toronto, just west of Peterborough.
They’re open every night of the week in the summertime, have a snack bar. While an opening date for 2023 is still TBA, we’re keeping a close eye and will update as we know more.
6. Port Hope Drive In
2141 Theatre Road South, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Port Hope is Ontario’s largest drive-in movie theatre, with 4 screens. It has an arcade room for kids and a live band playing on Friday and Saturday nights. It very much prides itself as being family-friendly, as well as a romantic affair affair that makes for the perfect summer night-out.
You can get out to Port Hope in just under 2 hours from Toronto. Located east of Oshuwa, Port Hope is an old fashioned, independently-owned drive-in which are becoming more rare – so give them your support.
There are concessions available at Port Hope Drive-In with hot fast food, snacks, candy and beverages. No outside food is allowed (their websites states that they will kick you out) as they rely solely on concession sales to keep running.
7. The Mustang Drive-In
2551 Wilton Grove Road, London, ON
The Mustang Drive-In in London originally opened in 1950 under different owners and is now owned today under Premier Theatres.
Featuring 2 different screens, Mustang Drive-In has a playground for kids to play on, and is also dog-friendly. See below for their pricing and food options.
8. The 5 Drive-In
2332 Ninth Line, Oakville, ON
The 5 Drive-In in Oakville has a kids’ play area, and three different screens to watch movies on. Its also owned by Premier Theatres.
9. Can View Drive-In
1956 RR 20, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0
Located in the Niagara region, Can View Drive-In has two screens to watch movies on. Since its owned by Premier Theatres, it follows the above pricing.
Movies Under the Stars
While these last two drive ins near Toronto are not technically ‘drive-ins’ (as you’re not sitting in your car) they provide a similar experience of sitting outside with camping chairs, cozy blankets and snacks, watching a movie with your loved ones in the park.
While sitting in or in front of our car is an exciting experience, let’s not forget about these really cool options offered right in the city too.
10. Movies Under the Stars
From July to September, Parc Downsview Park hosts Movies Under the Stars. Visit their website for show times for 2024.
11. Summer Movies Under the Stars
The City of Brampton has outdoor movie times in 3 different locations around the city. All the movies are family-friendly and the perfect place to bring your kids for a special evening out in the summer time.
The movies in 2022 played at Chinguacousy Park, Mount Pleasant Square, and Garden Square.
Premier Theatres Drive-Ins
Did you know that six of Ontario’s drive-in theatres are owned by a chain? Six of the drive-ins mentioned above are owned by the same company, which means that the showtimes, snacks options, rules and other features are very similar at all of them.
Six of the drive-in theatres in the Toronto area are owned by one company: Premier Theatres.
Therefore, the prices, food options, opening times are universal throughout each of their drive-ins near Toronto.
Premier theatres has six drive-in movie locations in the Toronto area:
- Stardust in Newmarket
- Sunset in Barrie
- Starlight in Hamilton
- The Mustang in London
- 5 Drive-In in Oakville
- Skyway in Niagara.
All of Premier Theatre’s Drive-ins Near Toronto:
- Are open 4 nights a week all summer: Thursday through Sunday
- Run rain or shine
- Have several fast-food options such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and chilli dogs
- Have meal packages combos for families and couples
- Also have snacks for sale such as popcorn, deep fried pickles, funnel cakes, candy and cotton candy
Premier Theatres offers range of pricing options for their Toronto drive-in movie theatres depending on the number of adults and children in your vehicle.
What to Bring to the Drive-In Movie Theatre
To have the best experience at the drive-in theatre, whether you’re going as a family or a romantic date night, consider the following things!
1. Portable radio
This allows you to avoid draining your car battery. I like this small portable radio – simple, affordable and reliable.
2. Blankets
It can get get chilly at night, especially when you’re just sitting still. Be extra warm with this cozy wearable blanket for ladies, or this similar one for kids (its glow in the dark!)
3. Thermos with your hot drink of choice
It can cold late into the night, even in summer. Keep your coffee, tea or hot chocolate warm for those late nights in this high quality thermos.
4. Fold up lawn or camping chairs.
If you plan to sit outside (sometimes we just sit in the driver’s and passenger seat of our car) then bring a fold up camping chair with places to hold your drinks, like this camping chair for adults. For kids, I like this unisex simple fold-up camp chair which has a place to hold their drink and a pocket to keep their snacks.
5. Stuff to play with before showtime
You have to get to the drive-in pretty early for a good spot, and there’s a couple hours of waiting before the show even starts. For kids, bring some games or toys to play with during the wait. This will pass the time and tire the them out before the movie turns on.
Our kids love this ring toss and bean bag kit – it keeps the kids fully entertained, plus the items are soft, so zero risk of damage to vehicles if they’re being tossed around.
For adults and older kids, we’d recommend the Love Letter card game. Fun, quick and travel-friendly, this game is fun for couples, groups or families with older kids.
6. Mosquito repellant
Whether its spray, stickers, or a citironella candle – you’ll be glad that you brought bug repellant. Nothing worse than being eaten alive while you’re out trying to enjoy the movie!
7. Pillows or cushions.
Helps you be extra comfortable, and support your neck during the show.
8. Pack and play
If you have a baby or toddler and would still like to get out to the drive-in, you could put them to seep and still be able to enjoy the night-out. Saves from having to get a sitter!
9. Flashlights (or use your cellphone)
This helps with trying to make your way to the bathrooms in the dark.
10. Tylenol
Kids + candy can sometimes lead to hyperness which warrants the need for some pain-killers!
11. Your own meal
Due to rules at the majority of drive-ins, this only applies if you have any dietary restrictions (severe allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc) that they cannot meet.
Most of the drive-ins near Toronto don’t have a lot of options to suit dietary restrictions. However, if you can afford to purchase concessions and are able to, please do. Supporting the drive-ins by purchasing their concessions allows them to keep running!
12. Your screen #
Write or jot the number of the screen your movie will be playing on before you leave, somewhere where you’ll have easy access to it. It’s always a bit overwhelming arriving at a drive-in, when there’s so many cars in a jam. You don’t want to go through all the effort of getting to a spot and parking only to find out that you’re parked in front of the wrong screen!
Conclusion: 10 Drive in Theatres Near Toronto
Drive-Ins are one of the most fun things to do in Toronto with kids in the summertime. We’re fortunate to still have multiple drive-in options in and around the Toronto area. Make sure to get out there and support them this summer!
Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and money for snacks, and enjoy a fun summer night out under the stars.