Starlite Drive-In Theater

Love this drive-​in! Clean and friendly! Car load Tuesday’s are great. $ 22 for a car load and you can bring your own cooler full of food for a charge. We’ve been there 2 times and haven’t done the cooler we just eat at the concessions which is decently priced. 2 movies for the price of 1 and if you get there early the kids can go play at the playground.

Place is packed crazy tonight. We have been in a line of cars for 30 minutes trying to get in. Ugh. They got to get a better system for getting in the drive in. Seems dangerous sitting still on 125. Only one person taking money in each line. Crazy. Lines hardly move. Takes forever to collect the money from the cars. Only one cash register. Geez.

I was lucky enough to grow up less than 5 minutes from Starlite and I never fully appreciated it until I got older and none of my friends had any idea of the wonders of going to the drive-​in.
There is a certain type of movie you have to watch here. Because it’s outside and not fully loaded like a theater with surround sound and stadium seating, big action blockbusters aren’t going to be the best choice to watch here. You’re going to want to stick with the comedies, animated movies, etc. And, because you get two movies for the price of one, if you want to pick which movie you want to see, you can leave and still have seen a movie for cheaper than the theaters.
If it’s possible, come early and drive a car instead of a truck. Trucks are assigned to the back of the lot. Bring lawn chairs and chill while playing cards or throwing a football around until it gets dark.
The concessions are just as you’d expect. Greasy (delicious), cheap, and actually pretty varied. You can bring in snacks, but the concessions is how they make their money, so try to support them as much as possible if you can. As of this review a brand new screen is being erected after decades of use out of the original one, so I am excited to see the new and improved drive-​in.
The only thing I wish was that Starlite stuck with the old marquee style sign they had out front. The new one, to me, looks tacky and cheap. But, maybe that’s just nostalgia for me because I used to drive past it every day for 18 years. This is something that you need to do at least once if you’re a real Cincinnatian. Summer nights at Starlite are some of my greatest as a child, and will continue to be on my summer activities list.

What’s not to love about Starlite Drive-​In Theater? It is one of the last of it’s kind. The drive-​in movie theater is a dying breed. I hope Starlite is around forever though.
I’ve been coming here since I was a wee babe. I remember seeing The Lion King when it was originally released here! And since then not much has changed. Full of charm and nostalgia Starlite is like taking a trip back in time.
And talk about value! $ 8.50 gets you in to see not one but TWO movies. That’s less than the price of one movie in a regular theater. Concessions are totally reasonable as well. My last visit I had a medium drink (that was HUGE) and it was around $ 2. While they offer the typical movie theater fare (soda, candy, and popcorn) they also have more substantial items like hotdogs, nachos, pretzels, and pizza. All for a reasonable price.
I think the best part of the drive-​in though is the EXPERIENCE. There’s something so nostalgic and wonderful about sitting outside eating junk food and enjoying a good film.
Though it’s a bit off the beaten path Starlite Drive-​In Theater is well worth the drive. You can’t beat the value of two movies for the price of one and the experience is truly one of a kind!

There seems to be a resurgence across the nation in Drive-​In theaters. We make it a tradition to take a trip each year, and so we invited some friends to join us with their kiddos.
And that’s where I think Drive-​Ins are headed: make them about the kids. It’s not «make-out”-Greace-style as the movies portray; Starlite is a great time for a family.
We paid the $ 5 to bring our own food in. I’d suggest this option. It seems the menu was filled with snack-​bar style options — but we wanted to remain on the healthy side, so we brought our own. Only $ 5 and it keep the place running while we can eat whatever we want.
The playground has some old-​school style swings on it, there’s a small field to run in and seems that there is no shortage of children. Our family felt safe and sound within the theater-​grounds.
Planes: that was the movie we watched. If Unilocal released movie reviews, I’d give it a 2-​star rating. Yikes, Disney. Just, marketing-​oriented-​Yikes.
Arrive early so you can park in a good spot & get the kids worn out.
See you soon, Starlite!

Last night myself, my husband and our two boys had our first drive in experience together. We went to see Turbo and Wolverine. The boys had such an amazing time and I know it will be a childhood memory that will last a lifetime. I still remember my first drive in experience at The old Oakley Drive In to see the original Batman in my dad’s old Astro van (awww the memories). We picked up a Larosas pizza (paid the $ 5 fee to bring in outside food) and made sure we got there early. We packed playing cards, balls, and other items to keep us busy until the movie began. We pulled right in and found a spot!
The price was kind of steep but it was well worth the smile son our son’s faces! We packed all our own food and only went to the main concession area to use the restrooms.
Overall we had a great time and the only reason it’s getting 4 out of 5 is because people were smoking around our car and I can not stand the smoke… otherwise well worth the time to drive out there!
I hope they stay around for a long while!

Used to go here as a kid and have ‘sucked it up’ and paid their OVERLY PRICED fees until a year ago when they jacked up the price again. $ 8.50 for an adult ticket, so $ 17 for a couple. THEN, this is the real gem, they charge you $ 5 for food you do not even have in your car and tell you that there is a $ 2 voucher at the bottom of the permit good towards one of their popcorn’s. This is a dirty, rundown place, stay away from the bathroom!

Truly one of the most treasured childhood memories I have is going to the drive-​in with my family on a warm summer night, piggin’ out on snacks, and laughing until my face hurts.
The Starlite Drive-​in is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Having been here too many times to count as a child, we recently took a trip out this past weekend to see Despicable Me and Grown Ups 2 with some fellow Unilocalers. Having come back as an adult, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgia just oozing from my veins. We played cards on a blanket before the movie started. We shared good conversation as we watched the sunrise go down, and our anticipation grew as the opening credits began!
Two movies for the price of one at $ 8.50 is crazy and a nice treat for anyone. It’s $ 5 to bring in as much food/​drinks as you’d like, and you get a $ 2 concession stand coupon.
If you are looking for something super fun and different, the drive-​in is the way to go! Two pieces of advice: BRING BUG SPRAY, and bring chairs and blankeys to sit out in front of your car to watch the movie, it’s way more fun that way ;)

This drive-​in would be more fun without the plethora of rules– $ 5 for outside food. No running. Kids 12 and under only at the playground (no 13-​year-​olds? really?). PT Cruisers only allowed on rows 3 and 4. Seriously, we ignorantly parked in row 5, and a guy with a measuring stick made us move.
But we had a great time anyway. I love the drive-​in experience– being outdoors, the junk food, $ 8 to see two movies. If you’ve never been to a drive-​in theater, you must try it at least once! If you have, then you know what I’m talking about.
And the place seems to fill up pretty quickly, so you’ll want to arrive by 8PM.

This is the perfect, old-​fashioned drive-​in experience that makes me long for my childhood. The price ($ 8.00 for a double featured, plus a special carload deal on Tuesday nights) couldn’t be better. Even though the quality of the screen isn’t quite what you get in a fancy indoor cinema, it’s still great.
I recommend bringing a radio or using your car radio to tune into the audio, since the speakers there aren’t really loud enough at all. I can’t testify to the quality of anything at the snack bar except the nachos, which are typical.
I had a great time. Will definitely be back this summer, but wish it were closer to town. :(

Just $ 5 to bring in your own cooler, sign me up!
I wanted to do something special for out date night, and with it being opening weekend for the Starlite we went in both feet first. After looking them up online I found out that you can bring in your own food/​drink for just $ 5. WOW what a bargain!
After packing up our supplies we headed out for the show. First movie start at 8:05 pm so I wanted to get in line by around 7:30. If you have a truck or other tall vehicle in lane 6 or further back. I didn’t mind it though, we found a spot in lane 6 close to the center. Luckily this also had us about 30 ft away from the concession stand and restrooms, score!
There was a line, but both lanes were operating. They give you a plastic sack when you pay, take it. Before you leave you put all your trash in the sack, tie it up, and leave it by the pole next to your car.
The movie was about to start, so I ran to the restroom and to get some fresh buttery popcorn. Restrooms were very clean. The line for the concession stand wasn’t bad. They did have alot of options; candy, soda, popcorn, ice cream, nacho’s, and pizza. Prices were hit and miss. Popcorn was cheap, candy was overpriced, pizza was reasonable and has to be excellent because there was a 30 minute wait and people were still ordering it.
The video quality was great, they waiting till the sun was fully set, around 8:25 to start the show. Sound is delivered via FM transmission so you can listen through your car’s radio, boombox, or walkman. Anybody still have one of those? You can tune to the channel when you arrive, they play a wide variety of music and have an MC come on before each show starts to get the crowd riled up. The sound quality of the movie is as good your stereo, glad we took my truck and not Beth’s station wagon :)
While i don’t have kids I was happy to see a play area on the side of the screening area. A full playground with swings, slide, kids playing football and tossing a baseball around was cool. It reminded me when I was a kid going to these types of places. Before the movie starts the MC tells everyone to pick up your kids, at that time the play area is closed.
After the first movie there is about a 20 minute break. Enough time to use the facilities or get more delicious snacks. Some of the cars leave after the first movie so be careful when you walk around. They do turn the lights on in the parking lot, but its always best to be careful.
The second movie was done around 1:34 am and it was time to go home. One reminder, watch the speed limits! It drops to 25 in certain areas going back to 275 and there is a wonderful police force there to ensure you pay attention.

Ah yes, I have spent many summer nights here. It’s one of the few remaining drive in theaters out there. The ticket prices are unbeatable, and the good thing, drinks and food, hide them under the seat and avoid paying out the wazoo at the concession stand. Bring a pickup truck, and some lawn chairs and enjoy the movies out in the open. Good thing Debbie kept this when she sold the Midway Theater in nearby Bethel!

There’s another age for the Starlite Drive-​In. I’m not exactly sure why the same locations have separate listings. Here is what I wrote in my earlier review.
With four kids it is often difficult for my wife and I to go out and see a movie. Which is why the Starlite Drive-​In is such a God-​send. Showing double features nightly, the first movie is usually a little more family-​friendly, with the second film being more for the adults. Now this isn’t always the case, but it has been when we’ve gone there.
Previous reviews have suggested arriving anywhere from two to three hours before the anticipated start time of the first feature. My family and I have never arrived any more than an hour before showtime and it hasn’t been a problem for us. But then again, we do tend to go when one of the features is geared more towards children.
The admission price is relatively inexpensive (especially when compared to chain theaters) and if you have young children (three and younger) they get in for free. Tuesday nights is Car Load Night, where each vehicle is charged $ 18, which allows up to six people to come in. Prices in the concession stand are a bit on the high side, but nowhere near as pricey as you’ll find in an AMC or Regal Cinemas.
There is a small playground area that the kids can play at while waiting for the movie. The theater area (i.e. grass, driveways, screen) itself is well-​maintained and very clean. The staff is very friendly and accommodating, and will go out of their way to please their customers.
Some things to consider;
–You can bring your own food, but you will be charged a $ 5 food permit fee. Also keep in mind that concession sales is where theaters make their money, not through ticket sales. So maybe pony up the cash and support the concession stand so this drive-​in doesn’t go out of business like the one in Oakley did.
–Depending on the humidity, in can get really hot! You’re not allowed to have your vehicle running (so no AC), so you may want to bring something along that’ll help cool you down.
–While you’re waiting for the movie to start (i.e. for it to get dark) bring along a book or some games, or something to pass the time.
–The first movie doesn’t start until it gets relatively dark (you know, so you can see), and when you take into consideration that you’ll be watching two feature-​length films with an intermission in-between…expect to get home really late. I’m talking past 1:00 a.m. late.
It has always been a great experience every time my family and I have gone. As the only drive-​in left in the Cincinnati area (it’s actually located on Route 125 right between Bethel and Amelia) it is one of those must-​do activities everyone should try at least once. Especially if you’re a parent with more than one kid, this is the best way for you to spend time as a family while watching the latest Hollywood flicks.
One last side note. A couple years back my wife took me here as a birthday present. It just happened to be classic car night. And the second feature was American Graffiti. To see all those classic cars, and then to have the chance to watch a classic movie like that the way it was meant to be seen in a drive-​in theater. Best. Birthday. Ever!
The Starlite Drive-​In is one of those great hidden treasures that every community has. You should definitely make the time to check this one out.
Mahalo, and enjoy.

The Starlite is a great place to take the family on summer eve. Also, a great date night. You can’t beat the ticket prices. You’ll pay double, maybe triple, at a larger indoor cinema.
As another review indicated, if they are running a popular movie, be preapred to wait in line and make sure you come early because Starlite can sell out pretty quickly.
The concession stand sells a wide range of goodies at reasonable prices. The staff is friendly too.
Two thumbs up for Starlite!

What an awesome way to spend an evening!!! It’s cheap, awesome if you have antsy kids who can’t stay quiet for a movie in the theater, and a fun throwback to yesteryear! The concession stand is excellent also!

Bethel is one of the last places you would expect to find a drive-​in theater. A backwoods town that is home to one of my best friends, Bethel is on the lower eschelon of the rural towns that surround Cincinnati. It is the only place I’ve ever seen a Ben Franklin five & dime, though.
Anyway, the Starlite Drive-​In is one of two drive-​ins left in Cincinnati and it’s such a fun place to catch a movie. There is a double feature every night and if you get lucky you’ll be interested in seeing both. Obviously they don’t start until sundown, so if you stick around for both don’t be surprised if you don’t come home until around 2 or 2:30AM.
A few tips. First, the concession stand is pretty good and they stress that it’s the best way for Starlite to stay in business. You are able to bring in your own food but I feel compelled to be a patron of the concession stand because I don’t want the Starlite to go away.
Secondly, if there is one or two highly anticipated movies, GET THERE EARLY. I can’t stress enough that cars start lining up two or three hours before the show starts if the movie is a blockbuster.
This leads me to my last tip: bring something to do while you’re waiting. A board game or cards, you can get bored very quickly waiting for the movie to start. Trust me: the sun never goes down quick enough. Once it does, though, be ready for some of the most fun you’ve had at a movie.