Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Mahoning Drive-in Theater

    4.7 (35 reviews)

    The Mahoning Drive-in Theater Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Mahoning Drive-in Theater

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tim Capello on "The Lost Boys" night

    The staff makes it an amazing experience! Im so impressed with the decorations, attention to detail and cost of these events that include celebs sometimes. Truly a gem!

    Emily M.

    Last weekend was the first time we came here, but it certainly will not be the last. We enjoyed a Christmas in July themed weekend by watching A Christmas Story on the big screen and meeting Scut Farkus. They have a pretty packed schedule with showings and themed weekends. Best of all... they allow camping! When you're coming from 2 hours away this is a big deal! Its very likely we will be enjoying this theater again this summer due to this. The snack bar is reasonably priced and has a decent selection. There is a Walmart down the road if you need to grab a radio, which you will need as using your phone doesn't work for this because of the delay.

    August 2022 line up
    Ellen C.

    This Drive-In shows 35mm movies and has many movie classic memorabilia to view and purchase. They have burgers and hotdogs along with sodas, popcorn and movie candy. You can bring your kids, your dogs, your beach chairs to sit outside your vehicle. You can stay in your car if you like. You just need a portable radio to tune into the sounds. The atmosphere is fun and the movies are varied, anything from The Three Stooges, Godzilla, John Waters' classics, Goonies, Braveheart, Monster Movie Classics, and more. They are having a puppy adoption drive August 11th. We will return even with a hour drive, looking forward to some monster movies. This time we saw Godzilla 1985. Fun fun fun!

    Brad P.

    This is just a cool experience that any movie fan should try at least once. I am not going to waste time with trivial stuff like talking about the hot dogs or drinks, you're not making a long drive for that. I am going to give some practical advice on how to make the most out of your experience if you're a first timer. BEFORE YOU GO: Make sure you know how to turn off your day time running lights and how to disable your interior lights when door is open. This will prevent you from blasting all the neighboring cars with light mid show. PARKING: Gates typically open at 6pm and show starts around 830ish. Its up to you if you want to get there early for a good spot then wait around for 2 hours, or show up later and get a spot further from the screen. Either way it will be a good viewing experience. If you have an SUV, I recommend parking rear facing the screen and opening your lift gate. THINGS TO BRING: A pillow and blanket will be a big plus during a double feature, especially if you have an SUV. A glow stick or small LED light will be *very* helpful and easier on everyone's eyes than your phone. You can leave one at your car so its easy to find coming back from concession stand or bathroom in pitch black. This is also good for using the port-a-potty or finding stuff in your car without turning on the lights and annoying people. It can get a bit chilly there late at night so a hoody or coat is a must. Wet Wipes are a must as well. CONCESSIONS: No need to over analyze hot dogs and popcorn. Their prices are reasonable for a movie theater. Its good to support them, but the line does get super long with only one cash register. Buy a couple things from them, but also bring some snacks to hold you through 4 hours. You don't want to wait in a 30 minute line every time you need something. BOTTOM LINE: This is a unique and fun experience with a great team of friendly employees and fellow movie goers. Occasionally there will be some B-List celebrities hanging out there too. Definitely check it out once.

    Gosh, I wish I lived closer to Mahoning Drive-in. Discovered one night after searching up drive in movies near my college, my friend and I made the hour journey to the drive in. We've been coming back every fall and spring during our semesters for three years now. I am so grateful for this drive in!! The place has a magnetic-like charm, drawing you into old school commercials or cartoons that play before a show and the whir of 35mm film heard from the concessions booth. I find so much joy every time I visit. The staff is always welcoming and passionate, the food fills you up, and the movies are comforting. If you live nearby or have an itch to see a classic drive in movie under a star-filled sky, this is the place for you. So grateful for the night I saw Princess Bride here that kept me coming back. Can't thank the drive-in enough for the nostalgia and comfort they bring to me and film lovers across the area.

    Lori A.

    Come for the experience not just the movies. I can't say how special this place is. Before the pandemic, this was my favorite thing to do on a weekend. I love camping, my husband, not so much. This is a great compromise for us. You are able to camp out over night in your car. There's no open fires or cooking, but they have a pretty decent concession stand. The entire ambience and experience of this place is indescribable. The love that goes into everything they do is obvious in every part of this place: Movies are older cult classics and horror on 35mm. It's family friendly without it being annoying for people without kids. I suggest watching "At The Drive-In" a documentary about the place and the people who run it. *i haven't been back since covid because we were in the process of moving but I follow them on IG and know they were doing all the could to provide a safe and healthy experience all summer.

    Camping
    Colleen K.

    I wish I could give this place more stars. It is such a wonderful and magical place. If you are reading this review in order to decide if it is for you, I assure you, unless you hate joy, it is. First of all, they show their films on 35mm. The selections are awesomely curated. They regularly show shlocky horror, old sci fi, classics, and weird-os. They also have family friendly fare though if that's more your speed. There is really something for everyone. You just need to check their schedule. There are two big things that make this place really special. One is the environment. At just over two hours from Philly or NYC, it is still close enough to make it an easy weekend trip. But it remains far enough away to be another world. The option to camp really sets The Mahoning apart as a destination. It evokes the bleary eyed days of pre-teen slumber parties, staying up to watch.... just... one... more... movie... before dropping down deliciously into your sleeping bag, sated with popcorn, candy, and unbridled joy, hours past your bedtime. The other thing that makes this place so special is the people. I talked to so many folks over the weekend and it really seemed like a community. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I'm not even 100% sure the status of everyone I met. There were so many regulars that the line between employees, interns, and just outgoing fans was at times unclear. But I mean that in the best of ways. It felt like being at a party where you don't know everyone, but you want to be a part of it. I really hope to come back enough to do that. Aside from that (as if you need more!) Ambiance! The concession stand/merch area was lost in time in the best possible way. They have VHS tapes for sale as well if you are that kind of nerd. Convenient! Did you forget batteries? Can you, like, not function without coffee? Despite feeling like you are away from the whole world, there is a small town less than 10 minutes away. There is a walmart, diner, starbucks, etc., as well as a strip we referred to as "fast food heaven" that includes just about every great drive through known to man. Exciting! From photo ops, to dorky costumes, to amazingly cool raffles, the whole night from arrival to end feels like an event. But Also Peaceful! Camping is tent only. It is close enough to the screen that if you wanted to cozy up with a radio playing you could still watch the last feature from your sleeping bag. But it's also spread out enough that you can drift off with only the sounds of crickets at night and birdsong in the morning if that's more your speed. Educational! They have the 35mm projection room open right off the snack bar. You can watch the projectionist as they work. It was definitely something memorable that I had never seen before. Nostalgic! They show vintage trailers and concession ads between movies and they are A TRIP. Ok, so nothing's perfect right? You got me there. So here's the stuff you should know: Bathrooms are port-o-potties. They are pretty clean and have a handwash station. But they are still port-o-potties, so if that's an issue for you, consider yourself warned. The Snackbar is best used as just that. Popcorn, candy, and ice cream truck style snacks are the ways to go here. The burgers and such leave a bit to be desired. A few other things to know: Some people stay up and party camping. Some people zonk out. It's easy enough to set up your tent according to which you prefer. Because it is an open field (duh, for a drive in) if you do camp, you will not have much shelter from the elements. So make sure you bring sunscreen or a good rainfly for your tent. There is technically "no outside food or drink", but this isn't enforced anything even resembling strictly, so don't sweat it if you are bringing some danishes to eat in the morning. Last thing, and this one is just an opinion, but we much preferred sitting in camp chairs next to our car and watching the movies under the stars. Bring a battery powered radio if you come so that you can do this too. Oh you forgot? You can buy one at the walmart down the block. And someone will probably give you a spare set of batteries. Because this place is magic. Why aren't you there yet? I can't believe you're not there yet.

    Camp is all ready for the night
    Dana S.

    I have mixed reviews about this place. 4 stars on the Theater itself- When it comes to the drive-in movie experience i would rate it 4 stars because it was really awesome! The screen was huge and clear and the movie picture, although old was very clear, with no hairs or scratches on the film. The movies shown were old horror films and they each showed little shorts beforehand, which gave it an old time feel. It was an awesome experience with my boo since it was both our first time there. The picture was so clear. When it came to the sound this was really awesome too- you were able to set your FM station to 89.3 and you would hear the sound perfectly for the most part. Rating on the Food and concessions When rating the food, I would give it a 2 cause they were making the burgers and hotdogs but then putting them in this little compartment, not sure if it was a fridge or if it was heated but they were sitting for a long time after making them and placed in there. They had a grill and were making burgers to literally put them in the compartment instead of just serving the burgers fresh, and made to order. We ended up ordering a sandwich called the Monster Mash which was advertised on their Facebook page, it had a chicken patty, a burger, mashed potatoes and a slice of cheese on it. I was looking forward to eating since it was quite a drive heading up there from Philly and was so hungry. They said it would be a 20 minute wait so we just bought popcorn and concessions for when the movie would start. We waited more than 20 min and watched as the burgers cooked on the grill but for some reason was on low heat and was taking forever to cook. They finally put the grill up higher but by this point our burger was all dried out. I don't think the people on the grill really knew how to grill burgers. Besides that, the grill needed to be cleaned cause it was full of black crud. I wasn't feeling too positive about the taste of the Monster Mash after waiting so long and seeing our burger just sitting and sitting, drying out in front of our eyes. When it comes to the pricing of the concessions, I ended up getting a popcorn with free refills and two candies for $9 which was cheap! the prices were good, but the food was just lacking. Environment Review: When we got there, the staff was friendly, and helpful. They pointed to where we would park for the overnight stay and where to set up camp. There were rows of cars that were just there to watch and leave, and behind them were the cars that were camping out for the night, with their tents put up. I thought this was a family friendly place, but once the movies were over around 115am, people started drinking heavily and partying. We were getting settled in our tent to go to sleep, but couldn't cause of all the yelling and partying that was going on! Maybe I am a stick in the mud or maybe I was just looking to lay down and sleep for the night since the drive and movies were exhausting, but I was angry that there were all these people partying and making all this noise. The partying finally died down around 430am, and I did not sleep at all! If I go back it would be just to use the drive in to watch the movies and then hit the road, the partying scene isn't my thing anymore, and I prefer to sleep. Overall the experience was cool and I know what to expect for next time if I am to return.

    Ade B.

    I was so glad I was able to experience real film at a real drive-in Saturday August 10th 2019 for what was dubbed "Monster Mash". The last time I was at a drive-in was probably in the late '70s for a double feature of The Three Musketeer and The Four Musketeers. This time was a double feature of Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man and House of Dracula. Along with the double feature we also saw a Three Stooges episode, a Flash Gordon episode and other shorts. Nothing I'm old enough to have seen in a movie theater. Although the movies aren't the best in the Universal classic monster catalog, I had a great time watching everything. The film prints were in surprisingly good condition. And buying tickets in advance allows you to go in first and pick out the best spots for your car and your tent, assuming you are camping out, which I did. The concessions could have been better. Dogs, burgers and fries are cooked in bulk in advance. If you don't get there early your food could have been sitting out for a long time. I ordered the special, a "monster mash", because it was cooked fresh. It was a fried piece of chicken, topped with mashed potatoes, and then topped with a burger with cheese. On a hamburger bun. It was surprisingly good. But the wait was about a half an hour and the burger was way overcooked and dry, sitting on the grill so long while the chicken was still cooking. Then the cheese is thrown on at the very end, meaning it never melts. If that burger was a nice juicy patty covered in melted cheese, that sandwich would have really been something special. There were also various items related to the movie, along with records and VHS tapes, for sale in the concession area. The bathroom experience isn't much fun, with a small bathroom inside the concession area and port-a-potties outside. Since the movies end so late, it's nice they have the $10 overnight camping option. The night I was there is got unseasonably cold, which I was't properly prepared for. And there was a party going on until about 4am. I have no idea if the partying is normal, or was an aberration. I did not get much sleep. Not the theaters fault, but it took away form the overall experience and is something to keep in mind for the future. If you can handle late night driving and don't live too far away, it may be best to head home after the movies. If you call yourself a movie buff, you have to support drive-ins while you still can. This one is the only one left showing movies on actual film. I hope to be back next summer.

    My birthday treat last year.
    Timothy M.

    Proof in the existence of God. The last drive-in movie theater that shows 35mm film. It's not a huge place; in the days when drive-ins ruled the summer, this one would've been a small, regional place. However, the Lords of Cinema took pity upon us and allowed this drive-in to thrive in the wilds. Alright, you have to put up with the noise from a race track some nights and the occasional helicopter. Still, there is nothing to match the experience of watching "Bucket of Blood" on the big screen under the stars. Snack bar is one of the old bunker types made out of cinder blocks, but the crew have decorated it with lovely paintings. An enthused group of people help the owners each weekend. Best of all, you are allowed to visit the projection booth (the Holy of Holies at any outdoor theater) and talk to the management! Bathrooms are porta-johns, due to the current pandemic.

    This ad was misleading, as a drive-in employee was charging higher rates for Kelli Maroney.
    Stephen P.

    If you go to visit a celebrity here at the Mahohning Drive In in Lehighton, Pa., be careful. Pre-show advertising posted on FB may not be accurate. I ran into a problem with Kelli Maroney there on June 10, 2022 and a drive-in employee named Sandy Eckard. The ad on FB said photos with the celeb were free if you bought an autograph. But Sandy insisted they were an additional $10. I had to go to the management to report the matter. And I was reimbursed the $10 I paid. But, still, this shouldn't have happened in the first place. So, keep copies of any FB advertising for their events. It's an unprofessional bunch.

    A view to the left of our tent. 5/27/18 at 6 am. Zombie Fest IV.
    Marc K.

    It's like taking a step back in time... Retro 35mm movies, complete with blips and pops in the audio & video (this is real film, after all.) Ticket prices are currently $10 per adults, $7 for children. They do offer overnight camping for $10 per vehicle. Audio is broadcast over FM. Bring a portable battery powered radio to save your vehicle's battery. The bathrooms have *never* been renovated. The men's room has two toilets, three *open* urinals and a single sink. The roll of paper towels is opposite the sink and sits on top of the hot water heater, which is strange, since the bathroom sink only puts out cold water. Concessions food items are quick and easy -- a glass hot box with sliding lids has ready-to-go hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, french fries, tater tots, onion rings, etc. They also have popcorn. Cold drinks are in cans or bottles, including unusual selections (for a drive-in) such as Yoo-hoo. There is a table set up with ketchup, mustard, buffalo wing sauce, sliced pickles and diced onions. Nice napkins. Styrofoam trays to help you carry stuff back to your vehicle. I didn't see barbecue or honey-mustard sauce for the nuggets but maybe they have that behind the counter. I paid for our food with cash, but the friendly cashier used a Square register to add it up, so I am assuming that they accept credit cards. I don't think they would want you grilling your own food, but you are welcome to bring your own sodas and picnic food or take-out. They have a collection of VHS, DVD and vinyl albums, as well as past movie weekend posters, all available for sale. You pay for these at the concessions stand. If you camp overnight, they allow access to the bathrooms, but lock the concessions. There is an employee that stays overnight on site in an old RV parked right next to the concessions stand/bathroom building. There is a note to knock in case of emergency, but also lists what qualifies as an emergency. ;) My girlfriend and I have been to the drive-in twice and camped out both times. It's a fun time.... They *do not* have shower facilities.

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg H.
    199
    358
    1489

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brad P.
    541
    214
    1703

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emma A.
    1
    19
    37

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lori A.
    32
    17
    13

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ade B.
    314
    695
    1589

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Timothy M.
    15
    141
    31

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great drive-in movie theater showing actual 35 mm prints! Plus there is an excellent concession area with all kinds of fun stuff!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Awesome place. Retro Drive-in experience every weekend, great staff... a really fun time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nelson E.
    8
    133
    425

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Interesting movies and fun souvenirs to buy. People have been very nice when we have come.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - The Mahoning Drive-in Theater

    Are there any present restrictions due to COVID, like getting out of the car, putting up a tent?

    We allow guests to still set up tents. We allow guests to enjoy films in, on or in front of their vehicles.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Mahoning Drive-in Theater

    Happened to be staying very close to the drive-in on a little jaunt to the area and couldn't pass up a visit.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Drive-In Theater 103 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Circle Drive-In Theater

    Circle Drive-In Theater

    4.5
    (21 reviews)
    46.6 mi

    This is just about the flea fair itself, not the drive-in movie theater. It's still a favorite spot…read morefor me to visit in the spring, summer, and fall. For $1 admission, you can discover a treasure trove of goodies, antiques, and even some junky finds (what one person considers junk, another might consider a treasure!). On a good day, the flea fair is full of vendors and people to sell their items. Last week, they had to turn away vendors because they ran out of spots. The drive-in concession stand is open, though they don't have breakfast food options I could see. Still, it's a good option if you're planning to spend the whole day there. The flea fair runs from 6 AM - 2 PM on Sundays, so it's best to get there early, as it tends to fill up quickly on nice days. Also, keep in mind that bad weather days might mean fewer vendors, so plan accordingly. There is also no indoor flea market option. I highly recommend this flea fair; I always leave with something whenever I go.

    We came to see Wicked 2. It's been ages since I've been to this theatre/a drive in in general. Such…read morea nostalgic feeling. It was November so we had no problem getting a spot close to the front even though I'm sure it's a popular movie. Ticket price is around $9-$10 per adult so pretty reasonable (you pay by person, not by car.) They have two screens so can show up to two movies simultaneously. You tune into a radio station. The sound was pretty clear. Concession stand seems to have a good assortment based on what our friend brought back to us. A fun & different way to watch a movie. Support your local drive-ins!

    Photos
    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors
    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors
    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors
    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors
    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors

    See all

    Circle drive in flea fair various items from vendors
    Garden Drive In

    Garden Drive In

    4.2
    (5 reviews)
    31.8 mi

    Was very excited to go watch Inside Out 2 ,with my husband and daughter . Everything started out…read morefine until twenty minutes into the movie it started to pour -we got in the car to wait it out but after looking at the radar it was not supposed to stop until 11 pm . My daughter was trying to turn around in the seat to continue watching but couldn't see a thing - it was literally pouring ,so we decided to leave . I was surprised to see that many people stayed . Regardless , I called as soon as we left to ask if the $21 could be refunded so we could return another night .The young man who answered was friendly and said he had to ask his supervisor ,whom he put on the phone .I politely asked if we could be refunded to come back . The man was ignorant and stated ," there is no reason for a refund ,the movie is playing ,we play rain or shine " - Well sir , I have worked in customer service for 14 years and I'll tell you , I wouldn't let you run my business . How hard was it to give the refund so we could return to enjoy the movie on a night that wasn't a monsoon ? OR if you are that tight , could you not write us a voucher to come back for ONLY that movie ?‍ It's not hard to make an unsatisfied customer happy ,but you failed miserably .The one thing you did succeed at , was losing three customers who will not return

    Charming family experience. It was touching to see families set up chairs,blankets,pillows for a…read morenight of fun. First run movies at an economical price. Snack bar was more than we expected. Great selection with very fair prices

    Photos
    Garden Drive In
    Screen 2
    Screen 2
    Garden Drive In

    See all

    The Mahoning Drive-in Theater - driveintheater - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...