Amid movie theatre closures and delayed release dates [1], 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 [2] 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 [3] 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 [4] pic.twitter.com/t4Enk8aYzL [5]

— Walmart (@Walmart) July 1, 2020 [6]

The movie schedule [7] 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."