Drive-In Theaters in Maine — Outdoor Movie Guide

The Bangor Drive-In

The Bangor Drive-In opened on June 7, 1950, on Hammond Street in Hermon, just west of the Bangor city line. Its first screening was You're My Everything, a 1949 musical, paired with Rusty Saves a Life. The original lot held approximately 900 cars facing a single screen.

The theater was part of the Graphic Theatres circuit during its early decades. On January 8, 1978, a storm destroyed the original screen structure. Rather than rebuilding one screen, the operators installed two, converting the site into a twin drive-in. During various periods, the venue showed both first-run family films and adult features.

Cars parked at a New England drive-in theater on a summer evening — Maine drive-in theaters operate in forest clearings and open fields, typically from May through September.

The Bangor Drive-In closed in 1985, part of a nationwide contraction that reduced the number of U.S. drive-ins from roughly 4,000 in the late 1950s to fewer than 1,000 by the mid-1990s. The site sat idle for three decades. In July 2015, the Boston Culinary Group reopened the theater with rebuilt projection booths, digital projectors, FM sound, and new concession facilities. Screen One held about 250 cars; Screen Two accommodated 160.

Double features cost $22 per vehicle. The recording phone was (207) 922-3878. The original neon "Drive In" sign, salvaged from the site, was later displayed at Nicky's Cruise In Diner in Bangor. After the 2021 season, partner Carol Epstein announced the theater would not reopen. She cited operating costs and changes in the film distribution landscape as factors. The Bangor Drive-In closed permanently in April 2022, ending a run that spanned 72 years with interruptions.

Drive-In Theaters and Maine

Maine's drive-in theater history mirrors the state's geography: spread thin across long distances, concentrated in small towns, and shaped by short summers. The earliest outdoor screens appeared in the late 1940s, part of a postwar building wave that gave Maine more than a dozen drive-ins by the mid-1950s. Locations ranged from Saco and Westbrook near the coast to Farmington and Skowhegan in the central highlands.

What made Maine's drive-ins distinct was their setting. Forest clearings, lakeside lots, and former farmland provided natural backdrops that urban theaters elsewhere couldn't match. The trade-off was a compressed season. Reliable outdoor screening weather in Maine lasts roughly from late May through early October, shorter than theaters in the mid-Atlantic or Southeast.

Most of Maine's drive-ins closed between 1975 and 1995 as indoor multiplexes expanded and VHS rentals took hold. The Bangor Drive-In's own 30-year dormancy from 1985 to 2015 was typical of the pattern. The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 reversed the trend briefly. The Shotwell Drive-In in Rockport opened specifically during that period, and existing venues reported their strongest attendance in decades.

As of 2026, four outdoor theaters operate in Maine: Bridgton Twin, Prides Corner, Narrow Gauge, and Shotwell. That count has held steady since the Bangor Drive-In's permanent closure in 2022. Nationally, the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA) counts roughly 330 active locations. Maine's four represent one of the higher per-capita concentrations in New England.

Maine's drive-ins sit in settings typical of northern New England: forest clearings, former agricultural land, and lakeside lots. Light pollution is limited outside Portland, which benefits screen visibility after dark.

The four-to-five-month operating season is shorter than theaters in the mid-Atlantic or Southeast. Weather cancellations are more common in Maine due to fog, rain, and early-fall cold snaps.

Active Drive-In Theaters in Maine

Four outdoor theaters are confirmed operating in Maine. The season runs roughly from late May through early October. Programming and schedules vary; check each venue directly before visiting.

Bridgton Twin Drive-In

Bridgton, ME — 2 screens, 495 cars — Since 1957

Located in the Lakes Region of western Maine, roughly 45 minutes from Portland. The Bridgton Twin is one of the oldest continuously operating drive-ins in New England. It has run without extended closure since the late 1950s, surviving the decades that forced most of its competitors to shut down.

The twin-screen setup allows two different double features on the same night. The surrounding area includes Sebago Lake and several state parks, making the theater a regular stop for summer visitors to the region.

Prides Corner

Westbrook, ME — 1 screen, 550 cars — Since 1953

The largest single-screen drive-in in Maine by car capacity. Prides Corner sits on the western edge of Portland's suburbs, drawing from the greater Portland metropolitan area. Its 550-car lot is among the bigger drive-in facilities remaining in New England.

The theater has operated under various owners since the 1950s. Its proximity to Maine's largest city gives it a larger potential audience than the state's more rural locations.

Narrow Gauge Drive-In

Farmington, ME — 1 screen, 60 cars — Since 2017 — narrowgaugecinema.net

A community-scale venue in Franklin County, about two hours north of Portland. The 60-car capacity makes it one of the smallest drive-ins in the state. The Narrow Gauge is connected to the Narrow Gauge Cinema, an indoor theater in Farmington. Its name references the narrow-gauge railroads that once served the region's logging industry.

Shotwell Drive-In

Rockport, ME — 1 screen, 200 cars — Since 2020 — pointsnorthinstitute.org

Operated by Points North Institute, a nonprofit arts organization based in the midcoast. The Shotwell opened during the 2020 season in a harbor-area setting near Rockport. It hosts a mix of first-run features, independent films, and special screenings. The nonprofit model sets it apart from the state's other commercially operated drive-ins.

Capacity figures and opening years are based on publicly available records. Actual conditions may differ.

What to Expect at a Maine Drive-In

Gates open before dusk, usually 30 to 60 minutes before the first film. Dusk in Maine shifts from roughly 8:30 PM in mid-June to around 6:45 PM by late September, a range driven by the state's northern latitude.

Most venues run double features. Some smaller locations, including the Shotwell, occasionally schedule single-feature nights or special screenings. All four theaters broadcast audio over FM radio, each on a dedicated frequency posted at the entrance.

Concession stands operate at every location. Menus typically include standard drive-in fare: popcorn, hot dogs, burgers, candy, and soft drinks. Concession sales are a significant revenue source for drive-in operators.

Families and Groups

The first film in a double feature is generally rated for younger audiences. The second targets an older crowd. An intermission of 10 to 15 minutes separates the two.

Many visitors park and set up lawn chairs or blankets beside their vehicles. Pickup truck beds serve as ready-made seating for groups.

Smaller venues like Narrow Gauge, with a 60-car capacity, offer a more contained setting. Prides Corner, at 550 cars, is the largest lot in the state.

Visitor Information

Weather: Evening temperatures in coastal Maine drop into the 50s °F even in July. Inland locations like Farmington can be cooler. Fog is common near the coast and around lake areas. Layers, blankets, and warm socks are standard preparation.
Audio: All four theaters broadcast sound on FM radio. Portable radios are standard equipment for regular visitors, avoiding the need to run a car engine or drain the battery during the show.
Tickets: Pricing varies by venue. Some charge per vehicle, typically $20–$25 for a double feature. Others charge per person. Check the theater's current pricing before arriving.
Pets: Policies differ by location. Bridgton Twin and Prides Corner have historically allowed leashed dogs. Confirm with the venue before bringing animals.
Season: Late May through early October. Exact opening and closing dates shift annually based on weather and film scheduling.
Headlights: Turn off headlights on arrival. Automatic headlights on newer vehicles can be disabled by engaging the parking brake before turning on the ignition.
Insects: Mosquitoes are common near lakes and forested areas. Repellent is standard gear for evening outdoor events in Maine.

Sources

Bangor Drive-In — Cinema Treasures theater database
"The Bangor Drive-In theater is closing indefinitely" — Bangor Daily News, April 2022
Drive-in theater — Wikipedia
United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA)
"Classic Bangor drive-in to reopen this summer" — Bangor Daily News, April 2015

Nearby Attractions

The Bridgton area sits in Maine's Lakes Region. Sebago Lake, the state's second-largest lake, is about 10 minutes south. It is a popular summer destination for swimming and boating. The White Mountain foothills begin nearby, with hiking access from Fryeburg and Evans Notch.

Portland's Old Port district is roughly 15 minutes east of Prides Corner in Westbrook. The city has a concentration of restaurants and breweries. Freeport, home of the L.L.Bean flagship store, is about 20 minutes north of Portland along Route 1.

Rockport, where the Shotwell operates, is part of Maine's midcoast tourism corridor. Camden Hills State Park offers hiking with coastal views. Penobscot Bay is a sailing and kayaking area accessible from several nearby harbors.

Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is about 2.5 hours northeast of the Bangor area. Bar Harbor serves as its gateway town. The park draws over three million visitors annually and is the most-visited site on the Maine coast.