IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Cars are streaming into the Motor Vu Drive-In for the theater’s opening weekend in Idaho Falls.
“We’re really excited to be premiering ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’ It’s paired with ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ – two of the biggest movies in the country right now,” said Motor Vu Drive-In Co-Director Jennifer Spalding.
The Motor Vu is one of less than than 275 drive-in theaters remaining in America.
“To have a theater that is a drive-in theater in your hometown is such a treat. It’s such a rarity,” Spalding said. “Because we have this beautiful projector and this gorgeous screen, we’re able to play new features, and you really get a large screen experience.”
The enormous movie screen is one-of-a-kind. It has been lovingly restored by the drive-in’s current owners.
“This screen is a very special screen. The screen is the largest outdoor drive-in screen in the country. It’s over 6400 square-feet,” Spalding said. “It is a labor every year to keep it looking pristine.”
The drive-in has been entertaining East Idaho audiences for generations.
“So this is our 79th year as a drive in theater. We were built in 1947, so we’re getting ready for a big anniversary next year,” Spalding explained. “This is going to be a really amazing summer. There are a lot of good films coming out.”
Visiting the theater provides a fun, nostalgic taste of American cinema at its finest.
Only four drive-in theaters are still operating in Idaho. The Motor-Vu is the only one showing film in the southeast part of the state.
Spalding’s family purchased the theater in 2019.
“We had to buy a brand new 4k RGB laser projector. So we converted to digital. Drive-in theaters who couldn’t make that conversion to digital weren’t able to stay open,” she said.
They’ve also renovated the concession stand – selling delicious cheeseburgers made with locally-sourced beef, famous grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn, soda and more!
On Friday, kids in the audience were thrilled to catch the latest Star Wars film.
Beckett Autrey instantly identified his favorite character as “R2-D2.”
His sister Sheridan had a different choice.
“My favorite character is Grogu – Baby Yoda,” she said. “It’s because Baby Yoda has a song. ‘Where’s my chicken nuggies gone?’ And that he is just such a cute alien type thing.”
The theater – located at 2095 N Yellowstone Highway – is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the end of August.
The Motor Vu Drive-In will also be offering free Throwback Thursday movies this summer, films anyone in the community can come enjoy with their family and friends.
Gates open at 8 PM, and the movie starts 30 minutes after sunset.
“We really hope people will come out and see,” Spalding said.
