As the stars begin to appear in the New Braunfels sky, families start arriving, not for theater seats, but for the perfect parking spot for the premiere of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at the Stars & Stripes Drive-in Movie Theater.
For the Martinez family, the back of their truck becomes a cozy nest of blankets, Little Caesars pizza and Arizona teas. Their young daughter, who has autism, finds the setup ideal, able to move around, take breaks, or switch to her tablet without worrying about disturbing anyone, all while enjoying the movie with her family.
"If she loses interest in a movie, we can give her a tablet or something else to keep her entertained," father George Martinez explains while setting up before the movie begins on a weekday. "In a regular theater, that’s not possible without disturbing everyone else. The drive-in gives us that flexibility, while still letting her have the full childhood movie experience."
For Stars & Stripes owner Ryan Smith and his family, the drive-in is more than just a movie theater, it’s a legacy. His grandfather helped build the Sky-Vue Drive-In Theater in Lamesa, out in West Texas, back in 1948, creating a space where families could enjoy films together under the stars. Decades later, Ryan has carried that tradition forward with Stars & Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels, which is celebrating its 11th anniversary this April.
"[Sky-Vue Drive-in] was where I first experienced my first drive-in movie, " Smith explained. "That was in 2002, and I saw M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, and I had worked there that evening and just thought it was such a great experience, it needed to be preserved and shared." Inspired, he opened his own drive-in in Lubbock in 2003 before bringing the concept to New Braunfels in 2015.
The drive-in tradition dates back to 1933, when the first was built in New Jersey. Once a staple of American culture, there were as many as 4,000 by the 1960s, according to the New York Film Academy. Today, that number has dwindled to less than 300 nationwide, with Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania hosting the most.
Stars & Stripes remains true to its roots as a family-friendly theater. Smith emphasizes a welcoming environment for all ages. "We all want to put our guests first and go the extra mile," he said.
The drive-in features playgrounds, patios and plenty of space for families to relax, ensuring the experience is enjoyable for both kids and adults. Stars and Stripes’ 50s-inspired café is another signature feature, serving burgers, fries, shakes, chicken dinners, funnel cakes, popcorn, candy, and drinks. Guests can arrive early, enjoy dinner, and relax before the movie begins or bring in their own items.
"Just to share the driving experience with families and young people so they would know what it was like, this experience was a very real slice of Americana, a uniquely American experience that a lot of people had never been able to enjoy," Smith said. "We were able to share that with them, and it really takes people back in time."
Stars & Stripes operates three screens, each with its own parking lot, accommodating over 1,000 vehicles. Smith said maintaining the theater is a big effort, from caring for the grounds to repainting and power-washing the screens to keep the picture bright.
Stars & Stripes offers double features on Fridays and Saturdays, carefully pairing films to appeal to families, teens and adults alike. From family favorites to general audience hits, the theater ensures there’s something for everyone. From new releases to fan-favorite franchises, the movie pairings and showings have kept audiences coming back.
The summer lineup promises blockbuster hits for all ages. Families can look forward to Super Mario Galaxy, paired with the new Pixar film Hoppers, as well as Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Sheep Detectives starring Hugh Jackman, The Mandalorian & Grogu and Toy Story 5.
"It’s lining up to be a really fun summer. Families and young adults can enjoy seeing movies at the drive-in, and we stay in tune with what audiences want," Smith said.
Find it: 1178 Kroesche Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130
New Braunfels Digital Reporter