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Top Drive-In Cinemas in (and around) Johannesburg
Watching movies with loved ones and friends is one of the best bonding activities you can do to kick back and relax after a hard day’s (or week’s!) work. Here in Johannesburg, there are some amazing drive-in cinemas to do just that!
From purely outdoor viewing venues to full-blown social activity hubs, we list down some of the best drive-in cinemas in (and near) Johannesburg. Enjoy some popcorn and soda as we go through the list of our favourite outdoor theatres!
1. Drive.In.Co
From dion.nair
Address: 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami Midrand, Johannesburg
Operating Hours:
- Depends on the movie
- Mondays to Sundays, around 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost:
- ZAR 350 per car/ vehicle
One of the original venues to offer the drive-in theatre experience to South Africans, Drive.In.Co remains a solid contender as one of the best drive-in cinemas for that hit of nostalgia. Nothing beats watching movies outdoors on a large screen with your friends!
They don’t showcase any particular genre of movie per se, but they try to keep their selections varied. From action titles to more casual romantic comedies, everyone can find a feature they like being shown on the big screen of this drive-in theatre!
| Pro Tip: Stay up to date with the schedule of Drive.In.Co by tracking their social media accounts and news feeds. This way, you get to know which films will be showing during particular dates and choose which ones you want to watch. |
2. Molly Malone’s Roadhouse Drive-In
From carlienbur
Address: Sunset Ave, Pine Slopes AH, Sandton, 2194, South Africa
Distance from JO: 30 minutes
Website: https://mollymalones.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 467 8052
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Cost:
- ZAR 60 per person
At Molly Malone’s Roadhouse Drive-In, once you’ve parked your car in the designated car bay, you simply tune your radio to the theatre’s frequency.
This means that you not only get to watch the movie on a large screen, but you also get clear and crisp audio right inside your vehicle. Plus, Molly Malone’s Roadhouse Drive-In has a restaurant, so just order away and wait for your food to be served.
| Pro Tip: The restaurant doesn’t allow customers to bring food and beverages. If you do, you’ll be charged an extra ZAR 100 per guest—an extra cost that you can avoid if you just order straight from their menu. |
3. Sandton City Drive-In
From sandtoncitymall
Address: Sandton City Mall, Rivonia Rd &, Sandton Dr, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
Distance from JO: 19 minutes
Website: https://www.sterkinekor.com/
Contact Number: +27 86 166 8437
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11:45 PM AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday, 9:45 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 9:45 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost:
- ZAR 200 per car/vehicle
There’s something special when watching movies outdoors, right? Well, imagine how mind-blowing it is to watch your favourite movie not just outdoors but also on the rooftop parking of Sandton City Shopping Centre.
It’s not just a gimmick either, as you get to enjoy an unobstructed view of the city’s skyline while watching your chosen flick inside the comfort of your vehicle. You can also order food and drinks in advance or purchase from one of the food stalls onsite.
| Pro Tip: To book your tickets in advance, we recommend reserving a slot online via this link. There’s a ZAR 5 convenience fee when you book online, but this is the best way to go because tickets sell out fast! |
4. Bier Drive-In Theatre
From nicola_hamman_
Address: 143 Rooibok St, Pyramid, 0120, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 4 minutes
Contact Number: +27 12 940 8795
Operating Hours:
- Depends on the movie to be shown
- Monday to Sunday, usually at around 5:00 PM onwards
Cost:
- Around R90 per person
Bier Drive-in Theatre has a unique charm thanks to its concert grounds-like setup. It holds its shows in an open field and has a projector screen placed on an elevated platform for you to comfortably watch movies while inside your car.
There are also food stalls in the area selling all kinds of treats such as snacks and sweets. If you’re bringing your loved one or your date along, then you can make the evening extra special by purchasing chocolates or savoury dishes to share.
| Pro Tip: Thanks to the wide open space at this drive-in theatre, you can also set up a chair right beside your vehicle if there’s still some space available. Nothing beats watching movies under a clear night sky; that’s for sure! |
5. The Bioscope Independent Cinema
From bennieboekfilm
Address: 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Website: http://www.thebioscope.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 61 900 4457
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost:
- ZAR 250 per ticket for two adults with snacks
The Bioscope Independent Cinema isn’t exclusively a drive-in cinema, but it does have one of the coolest outdoor venues that feature independent films. There are picnic benches spread out with a stage upfront that showcases either movies or live music.
It also has a traditional indoor cinema but with a unique twist: the halls leading to the venue itself have trinkets and memorabilia showing different media used for films. You’ll see old DVDs, CDs, and even different film awards while walking to the indoor theatre.
| Pro Tip: If you want to grab a quick bite, then the nearby Bioscope Cafe can serve snacks and treats that you can either eat inside the traditional theatre or enjoy in their outdoor seating. Their pizza is something you might want to check out! |
