Drive-In Movie Fans Rejoice: 9 Still Open in Illinois in 2026

Even though technology has caused many drive-in theaters to shut down over the years, there are still 9 of these nostalgic flick places that have managed to stay alive in Illinois and appear to be ready to open for 2026.

I have a soft spot in my heart for drive-in movie theaters. There's nothing quite like enjoying classic movies in the open air outside in your favorite vehicle. Unfortunately, the cost of updating these drive-in theaters to be capable of showing new movies delivered digitally is astronomical, but there are a handful in Illinois that are still going strong (I think) in 2026. I've tried to independently verify that validity of what Google says are Illinois drive-in theaters that are active, but it's difficult in some cases. I even found one in Illinois that Google does not have listed.

My advice is to check the Illinois drive-in theater websites and/or social media pages before you plan a trip to one. You wouldn't want to road trip for a couple of hours only to find out the Illinois drive-in theater you thought was open isn't. In this business climate for movies, things can change quickly. I really hope these Illinois drive-ins can continue to find a successful way forward. It's an era of movie-going that I don't want to see fade away.