Entry No. 21 — the Nashville file — filed under: drive-in
Stardust Drive-In
A twin-screen drive-in open since 2003 — one of fewer than 300 left in the country, down from over 4,000 at their 1950s peak — running independent double features on two screens (235 and 150 cars) every night of the week via Barco digital projectors and FM-radio audio, no assigned seating, no roof.
The story
Back in the 1950s, more than 4,000 drive-in movie theaters dotted the American landscape. Today, fewer than 300 remain standing. Stardust Drive-In isn't a vintage relic holding on from that original boom, though—it was opened in 2003, built specifically to bring the double-feature back to a gravel lot 35 miles east of Nashville on Watertown's Purple Tiger Drive.
They run two screens—Screen 1 holding 235 cars and Screen 2 holding 150—beaming modern picture via Barco digital projectors while piping audio straight through your car's FM radio dial. The math here is simple and increasingly rare in multiplex culture: one ticket gets you two full-length first-run features back-to-back under an actual night sky, with zero assigned seating and no ceiling in sight.
What it's like
The box office opens around 6:30 PM, and you'll want to roll in well before showtime to secure a clear angle on the screen—especially if you're backing a hatchback in to sit in the trunk. Bring a battery-powered portable FM radio if you don't want to drain your car battery during a four-hour double feature. You can hit the concession stand for classic theater snacks, or shell out for the $8 permit at the gate if you prefer to haul in your own cooler.
The move: Pick a screen, back the car in before the 8:45pm start, and stay through the midnight second feature under an actual sky instead of a multiplex ceiling — outside food is allowed for an $8 permit.
- 📍 Watertown
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 310 Purple Tiger Drive, Watertown, TN 37184
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cooter's Place — Pair a shrine to television stunt cars near Music Valley with a night drive out to Watertown for a full retro double feature.
- Sudekum Planetarium at Adventure Science Center — Compare modern digital star projection indoors under Sudekum's dome with an open-air movie screening under actual Tennessee night skies.
- World's Largest Cedar Bucket (Cannonsburgh Village) — Stop in Murfreesboro to inspect a 1,556-gallon oversized wooden bucket before heading northeast for evening movies on the lot.
Good to know
When is Stardust Drive-In open?
The season runs from the first weekend in March through the end of November, operating seven nights a week starting Memorial Day weekend.
How do I listen to the movie?
Sound is broadcast directly over local FM radio frequencies, so you can tune in using your vehicle stereo or a portable radio.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Yes, but bringing outside food or drink requires purchasing an $8 food permit at the theater entrance.
Are tickets sold per movie or for both?
Admission covers a double feature—you get two back-to-back movies on the same screen for a single ticket price.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · everafterinthewoods.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-20