Arizona’s Last Drive-In Theater

Mesa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

Step back to the golden age of drive-ins—when Arizona’s skies lit up with car headlights and popcorn popped under starry skies. The first drive-in opened in Phoenix in 1940, kicking off a cinematic revolution that exploded post-WWII. Ads flooded papers, profits soared, and families packed into cars for movie magic. But as home theaters took over and costs climbed, drive-ins faded—until 2020, when they staged pandemic-era marathons, concerts, and even EDM festivals. Today? Just one survivor: West Wind Glendale Nine Drive-In. Your last chance to watch a flick from your car, under the stars, in…