A kid can watch two movies here for five bucks. Not one movie, two, back to back, under an open sky.
Little ones three and under get in free.
The theater first lit up its screen in 1945. Then it sat dark for years until a local couple with childhood memories bought it and brought it back.
I love a rescue story with popcorn in it.
This South Carolina drive-in now runs three screens on Friday and Saturday nights. The grill turns out hand-pattied burgers and house-made barbecue sandwiches.
Dogs on leashes are welcome too, which feels like a very good policy.
I can’t imagine a cheaper way to give a family an entire evening outside. So what does a night like this actually look like?
Two Movies For Five Bucks Is Not A Typo
Ticket prices at the 25 Drive In Auto Theatre feel like they slipped out of a time capsule. Published price lists say admission is free only for children under 3, with ages 3–11 at $5 and ages 12+ at $10.
Adults 12 and up pay a little more, but still less than many indoor theaters charge. Every ticket covers a double feature, so the fun doesn’t stop after one film.
That changes the math for a family of five. You’re paying for roughly four hours of entertainment instead of two.
Bring cash, because the gate only takes cash. Stopping at an ATM on the way saves you a frustrating U-turn.
The two films play back to back on the same screen. The first usually starts around 8:15 PM, and the second follows around 9:50 PM or a bit later.
So yes, little ones might fall asleep during movie number two. Pack pillows and pajamas, and call it a win either way.
Gates open at 7:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays during the season. Arriving early gives you time to park, grab food, and settle the kids before the opening credits roll.
A Kitchen Run By A Cook Since 1982
Hand-pattied burgers are not standard drive-in fare. Here, they’re a point of pride.
Owner Tommy McCutcheon has worked as a professional cook since 1982, and he oversees the menu. You can taste that focus in what the snack bar puts out.
House-made barbecue sandwiches share the spotlight with the burgers. Chili cheese fries, hot dogs, and nachos round out the comfort food lineup.
Want something lighter? Grilled chicken salads come topped with homemade ranch dressing.
Buttered popcorn and sweet tea complete the classic movie night combo. Honestly, a burger and tea under the stars beats a stale theater pretzel any day.
The full-service snack bar is a big part of the whole experience. Lines can grow on busy nights, so ordering before the first film starts is smart.
Getting food early also means you won’t miss key scenes. Nobody wants to return to the car and ask what just happened.
If your crew has picky eaters, the menu covers plenty of ground. Kids can grab a hot dog while adults go for barbecue.
Three Screens Means Fewer Family Arguments
One family wants a cartoon, and another wants an action flick. The 25 Drive In Auto Theatre solves that with three screens.
Each screen shows its own double feature. That gives you six movies to choose from on a single night.
The owners added the second screen in 2011. A third followed in 2015, which shows how much the place had grown.
The lot can hold up to 500 cars. That’s a lot of minivans, pickup trucks, and hatchbacks in one South Carolina field.
Grassy parking areas slope downward toward each screen. That clever design helps every vehicle get a clear view, even behind a big truck.
New schedules usually go up midweek, often by Tuesday or Wednesday. Check the lineup early so you can plan which screen gets your vote.
Arriving early also helps you grab a better spot. Popular films can fill up a lot faster than you’d expect.
Of course, picking the screen is the easy part. Agreeing on who gets the front seat is still your problem.
Your Car Radio Becomes The Sound System
Movie sound here comes through your car’s FM radio. Just tune to the right station, usually 88.1 FM or 90.1 FM.
No crackly speaker poles hang on your window. The digital audio plays right through your own speakers.
The theater switched its projection and sound to digital in 2014. That upgrade keeps the picture and audio sharp on modern releases.
Planning to sit outside in camp chairs? Portable FM radios are available to rent, which makes truck-bed lounging much easier.
A little tip helps with car batteries. Running the radio for hours can drain an older battery, so think about that before the second feature.
Some newer cars keep running lights on automatically. Learn how to switch yours off at home, so your headlights don’t glow on the screen.
Your neighbors will thank you, even if they never say it. Bright lights in the middle of a movie are a quick way to become famous for the wrong reason.
Once the sound clicks in, the experience feels surprisingly cozy. It’s your own private theater with a giant shared screen.
Bring Blankets, Chairs, And Maybe A Frisbee
Before sunset, the grassy fields turn into a playground of their own. Kids can bring frisbees or balls to play before the movie begins.
There’s also a playground on site for children. It’s a handy way for little ones to burn energy while parents wait for food.
That pre-show time might be the best part for younger kids. They run around, then crash happily once the film starts.
Families are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Sitting outside your car gives you a wider view and fresher air.
Lawn chairs in front of a pickup make a comfy setup. Add a blanket or two for cooler spring evenings.
Bug spray is a smart extra in the South Carolina evening air. A small flashlight helps too, especially for nighttime restroom trips.
Keep the area tidy when the credits roll. Leaving your spot clean is good drive-in manners.
Simple things like tossing a ball before a film feel rare these days. Here, they’re built right into the evening.
Good News For Anyone Who Can’t Leave The Dog Home
Dogs get to come to the movies too. The 25 Drive In Auto Theatre welcomes pets, as long as they’re leashed.
Owners just need to clean up after them. It’s a fair trade for letting Fido join movie night.
An outdoor seating area also allows dogs to sit with their families. That means your pup doesn’t have to stay stuck in the car.
Calm dogs tend to enjoy this kind of night. Anxious pups might struggle with crowds and car doors, so know your pet.
Pack water and a bowl for your furry friend. Spring evenings can still feel warm early on.
A favorite blanket helps a dog relax for a long double feature. Chew toys can keep restless paws busy.
Bring a few waste bags too. Nobody wants that kind of surprise in the dark.
Honestly, a dog sitting beside you during a family film is pretty charming. It might be the only critic in the crowd who loves everything.
A Comeback Story Worth Its Own Movie
Back in 1945, Olin Turner opened this spot as the Auto Theatre with one screen. Pete Zouras took over in 1955 and replaced that original screen.
Zouras ran it until the mid-1980s. He never showed X-rated films, and he closed it with a showing of King Kong.
He also pushed for changes to South Carolina’s blue laws about Sunday movies. That happened in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
After the mid-1980s closing, the theater reopened for about six weeks in 1999. Then it went dark again.
Tommy and Carolyn McCutcheon remembered the drive-in from their childhood. In 2007, they noticed how run-down it had become.
They bought the property in 2008. In April 2009, they reopened it as the 25 Drive In Auto Theatre.
Their son Tom helps run the business too. It’s a true family operation in every sense.
I believe that’s why the place feels so personal. Someone chose to save it, and that choice shows.
Small Upgrades That Make A Long Night Easier
Upgrades have kept coming since the 2009 reopening. A patio was built over the concession stand in 2017.
That covered spot offers a place to sit and eat. It’s handy when you’d rather not balance fries on your lap.
Restrooms got attention too. The women’s restroom was expanded in 2018, which anyone who has waited in line will appreciate.
The men’s restrooms have seen recent improvements as well. The owners also rebuilt the men’s restroom plumbing system.
Little touches like these matter on a double-feature night. Four hours is a long stretch, especially with kids.
Want to bring your own snacks? A permit fee allows outside food and drinks.
That option helps families with allergies or tight budgets. Still, plenty of folks happily skip the cooler for the grill.
Each improvement shows the owners keep investing in comfort. An old-school drive-in can still feel fresh with the right care.
Plan Your Road Trip Before The Gates Open
Finding it is easy once you know the road. The theater sits at 3109 US-25 S, Greenwood, SC 29646, United States.
The name makes sense now, right? US-25 runs right past the entrance.
The season usually runs from spring into the warmer months, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the weekly schedule before heading out.
Shows go on no matter the weather on scheduled nights. A little rain doesn’t cancel the double feature.
Plan to arrive well before the first film. Busy nights can mean a line on the road and a fast-filling lot.
Getting there soon after 7:00 PM gives you options. You’ll have time for food, the playground, and picking a good spot.
Late double features can end well past midnight. Families driving far should plan for a sleepy ride home.
Many folks call this spot SC’s Favorite Auto Theater. After learning about it, I can see why that nickname stuck in South Carolina.
