Some Fun Summer News: Walmart Is Turning 160 Parking Lots Into Drive-In Theatres

Amid movie theatre closures and delayed release dates, an alternative option has emerged from an unexpected partnership. Walmart and Tribeca Enterprises, the media organisation responsible for the famed Tribeca Film Festival, recently announced a plan to bring a contact-free drive-in theatre experience to 160 Walmart parking lots across the nation from July through October.

The drive-in program will be offered to select cities first before being rolled out nationwide. Kicking off on July 2, screenings will be hosted in Arlington, TX; Pasadena, CA; Nassau County, NY; and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, NY. Then, in August, the experience will be brought to additional cities. Walmart has yet to specify which cities, but it has created a special website that interested parties can monitor for updates and announcements closer to the start date.

Starting in August at select Walmart stores, we're partnering with @Tribeca and rolling out the red carpet for drive-in movie premieres, complete with car-side 🍿and 🥤service. Stay tuned for more details. See you at the movies! https://t.co/JfUPB6QK8C pic.twitter.com/t4Enk8aYzL

— Walmart (@Walmart) July 1, 2020

The movie schedule includes nostalgic classics like Space Jam and Back to the Future, as well as newer releases like Wonder Woman and Creed. The price per vehicle is typically $26 ($35 for double features), but some screenings are free to honour essential workers. Concessions will be available, and Walmart will also allow for other movie-watching accoutrements to be ordered in advance and picked up curbside at its many stores.

"Summer hasn't really felt like summer yet, and I know I hear every day, 'Mom, I'm bored!'" said Walmart Chief Customer Officer Janey Whiteside in a press statement. "Through our digital means and vast footprint of stores, we're hoping to bring some summer fun to families across the country."