# Drive-Ins make a comeback By Greg Ponesse | Published 2006-04-26 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drive-ins-make-a-comeback References: [cbsnews](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/09/sunday/main1483026.shtml) Drive-in theaters, those beloved pop culture icons of yesteryear were nearly extinct, but are now making something of a comeback. Last weekend workers scrambled to ready the new showboat drive-in theater in Hockley, Texas for the grand opening. The theater is a family affair, co-owned by brothers Chris and John Rumfolo. "We're the whole crew," John says. But isn't opening a drive-in theater in this day and age sort of like opening a Typewriters R Us? asks [CBS](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-future-begins) Sunday Morning contributor Bill Geist. "We're nostalgic. Our whole country is nostalgic," John says, adding that when he applied for a loan, the bank though "I was nuts." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Resurgence of Drive-in Theaters:** Opportunity for innovation in incorporating technology and modern amenities into the classic drive-in theater experience. - **Nostalgia-based Entertainment:** Opportunity for creating new entertainment concepts that tap into the current trend of nostalgia, similar to the drive-in theater comeback. - **Outdoor Entertainment:** Opportunity for innovation in creating new outdoor entertainment venues and experiences, such as drive-in concerts or outdoor movie screenings. ### Who This Affects Most - **Entertainment:** Incorporating modern technology into nostalgic entertainment experiences to attract new generations of customers. - **Hospitality:** Opportunities for hotels and resorts to create unique outdoor entertainment experiences using nostalgia and modern amenities, such as drive-in theaters or outdoor concerts. - **Automotive:** Opportunity for automotive brands to rebrand themselves as the perfect vehicle for the drive-in theater experience and other outdoor entertainment events. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [50s-Style Diner-Themed Drive-Ins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diner-and-drivein-movie-supercharger.md) - [Nostalgic Charging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tesla-diner.md) - [Futuristic Tech-Led Diners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/futuristic-diner.md) - [Video Store Speakeasies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockbuster-speakeasy.md) - [Nostalgic Department Store Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diner-truck-throwback-event.md) - [Retro Cinema Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightup-delorean-popcorn.md) - [Film-Inspired Bowling Alleys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eastside-bowl.md) - [Revamped Mid-Century Beach Motels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotel-lucine.md) - [QSR Game Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qsr-game-show.md)