MADERA, Calif. — In an era of streaming services and at-home entertainment, the classic American drive-in movie theater is becoming harder to find.
But in the San Joaquin Valley, one historic drive-in is still lighting up the screen and keeping nostalgia alive for moviegoers.
FOX26 News reporter Mayra Franco takes us inside the Madera Drive-In to show how one local business owner is dedicated to preserving this piece of cinema history.
Did you know? The Madera Drive-In is one of the last operational drive-ins in California.
The 1950s and 60s marked the golden age of drive-in theaters.
At their peak, more than 4,000 operated across the country, becoming popular spots for family outings and classic date nights.
Today, there are still about 300 nationwide and roughly 20 in California.
“It’s amazing that everything’s still in one piece and we’ve come this far,” said Bobby Gran Jr., the owner of the Madera Drive-In.
Built in 1948, the Madera Drive-In and the Rubidoux Drive-In Theatre in Riverside hold the distinction of being the two oldest operating drive-ins in the United States.
Bobby Gran Jr., the current owner, takes us back to when it all started.
“My dad and I purchased this back in 1972 from the Presley Auto family, and I spent my 14th summer up here working, getting it ready to open,” he recalls.
“Drive-ins were my dad’s first passion. We ended up going into indoor movie theaters because multiplexes became the big calling card, but his first love and my first love has always been the drive-in movie theater. So, as long as we can continue to make money, we will stay open,” Gran Jr. adds.
He still hopes to preserve the classic look and feel for moviegoers seeking the true drive-in experience: a night under the stars, massive screens towering over the parking lot, and families tuning in on the last speakers ever made for this type of cinema show.
One thing that has changed over the years is how the movies play.
Gran Jr. gave a sneak peek behind the scenes and shows us an old projector that got movies playing on the screen from the 1930’s.
According to him, it retired in 2008.
He said, “There was a big push. Everyone had to convert to digital. They were doing away with 35mm print film,” Gran Jr. explains.
Yet, he says the heart of the drive-in experience hasn’t changed.
“It’s an excellent way to break in the kids to an actual motion picture experience. You have the privacy of the family car,” Gran Jr. says.
The Madera Drive-In isn’t just for locals, families visit from across the Central Valley, and even from around the globe.
“They’ll be here visiting Yosemite, and they find out that we have a drive-in. They’re from Europe, never been to a drive-in, and they’ll go out of their way to come,” Gran Jr. shares.
No drive-in experience is complete without munchies.
Gran Jr. says the Madera Drive-In is known for its unique nachos.
“We use Rico’s cheese, which is the originator of nachos. It originated in the Houston Superdome, which is no longer standing, and so we are the only ones in California that import his cheese,” Gran Jr. says.
And the popcorn?
“We’re one of the few theater chains in the United States that still use real butter on our popcorn,” he adds.
Gran Jr. says it’s these small details that keep the spirit of the drive-in alive for everyone who visits, letting every generation experience a little bit of movie nostalgia.
The drive-in’s charm has even caught Hollywood’s eye.
Several years ago, it was featured on an episode of The Bachelorette.
The Madera Drive-In opens for the season this weekend, with Friday showings to start and expanded screenings as summer approaches.
General admission: $13Children and seniors: $6They also host Wednesday customer appreciation nights at $6