The Showboat Drive-in

This place is hands down the best place ever! $ 7 for 2 shows! Doors open 2 hours before show and it is recommended to arrive early as there was a longggggg line. The lines moved fast. The concession stand has good snacks/​foods for reasonable prices. Towards the movie starting the lines were out the door for the concession so you should go in as soon as you park. Definitely going again!

What a deal– 2 movies for $ 7 per person! Amazing. I went for the first time because I havent had the chance to go to the movie in a while since I have a little toddler. This was our chance to go all together as a family. The food is very reasonably priced ($ 7 – 8 for burger and fries, 2 – 5 buck for popcorn, etc) and the sound from our car was awesome!
We didn’t stay for both movies, but I will be going again.

We came here to watch Star Wars ep7, opening weekend. The gates opened at 5:30, which is when we arrived. There was already a large line (which was to be anticipated with Star Wars showing). There are 2 screens, both showing double features for only 7 $ per adult! It is a great deal, and such an experience being the only drive in theater in Houston. There is all kinds of movie snacks and food, all reasonably priced as well as restrooms. It was cold this time of year, otherwise we would have either back in towards the screen and sat in the back of the SUV with the hatch open. There were a lot of people doing this, or sitting in lawn chairs outside their vehicles or in the bed of their pickups. However they were braver than us, as it was in the 40s! Its nice to have your own space, and be able to talk during the movie.
If you were to watch this movie in a regular theater you would have been bumping elbows in a crowded theater, but this was almost like a private viewing experience. You tune in to a radio station to hear the audio, and it almost felt like surround sound since the audio is coming from your car speakers.
I would definitely come back again, and I would bet normally when its not a high demand movie like Star Wars, you could show up around 630 and still have a good spot.

Kind of janky drive-​in in the middle of nowhere but definitely a fun experience. For seven dollars, you get a double feature film which is a great bargain. There are two screens set up in the two lots: one plays family friendly movies while the other is pg-​13. You have to pick one or the other unless you want to buy another ticket. They have restrooms and a little storefront outside that sells snacks and drinks. As for the set up, there are plenty of spaces to allow you to back up your car and open your rear door without any issues. All you have to do is get situated and then turn on your radio to enjoy the movie! Overall it’s a great place to take a date or spend time with family and friends. Check the website before going to make sure they are still open since they close when the weather is bad and be sure to bring lots of blankets and pillows!

So many great memories here in the few years we’ve been here! We don’t go often enough, but it’s hard to beat their deal. Sure it has its quirks, but if you can see the big picture (haha, it’s late, sorry) it may be a movie renaissance in your life.
This place is undoubtedly well suited to families. There’s an area in front of the big
screen for children to play, soccer/​football or whatever they like, and it’s brilliant because obviously that’s right in front of
everyone so it’s easy to keep an eye on them. Lots of concessions if you get the inkling, but you can bring your own food even though it’s against the rules. Just don’t have it in the open when you get your ticket at the entrance. Oh come on, you gonna bash me over bringing a bag of pretzels? Everyone does it, they’re lying if they say they don’t. We usually still get their food because honestly i do recommend it, it’s pretty good with a lot of choices!
I just love the whole concept of driving in anyway, always wanted to do it and now that I’m old I never imagined there would still be one around much less that I’d live near one. But the privacy of your own car, a very good quality picture, better than I imagined, and the audio is up to you, but I have a system so it’s great sound. Tune in to their station and it’s rather crisp and high fidelity, enjoy.
You place your car on the hump to get a good view and make sure to keep your car off, they are a bit gestapo about a running engine, but in the summer when it’s really hot, a lot of people will keep their cars on for a/​c and usually no bright flashlights come shining in your car, I guess they do empathise. But we’ve been warned before (only one time); so yea, it can get quite uncomfortable in the humidity. It’s not a big deal normally, but with a baby, the heat can be an issue. Not to mention your battery will possibly die with your system’s fan and audio on without the engine’s alternator to keep the battery charged. But they do have a jumper truck that comes around after if you need a jump. Always a really good, comfortable seat versus a cramped theatre! And yes there are plenty of bathrooms inside. Can’t wait for next visit!

Showboat Drive-​in brought me back to my childhood when I used to go to the drive-​in with my family. We arrived 1hr before the movies started to get good parking, get situated, and grab food. The convenience store has a pretty good variety of all movie theater foods and has the look and appeal of the musical Grease!
$ 7 for a double feature in the comfort of your own car! What deal could be better?! We saw Translyvania 2 and Goosebumps on Halloween night. A perfect double feature for the night!
I cannot wait to come back! :)

If you don’t love a drive in, phooey on you.
It was a double feature– Inside Out and Jurassic World. Amaze balls.
We went in an SUV and backed into the lot and it was on. The sound comes from a radio station and it was pretty cool.
They do sell food and have restrooms.
I throughly enjoyed this spot and the owner was very friendly.
It was a nice beautiful night and the fireflies were out. It was so much fun.
It gets very dark. Oh and you can’t leave your car on so be prepared … it can get warm out.
Definitely a must try… we will be back.

My favorite part about this place is the way the traffic backs up for miles from both directions. It’s really considerate of them for people just trying to get somewhere. Sitting in traffic is exactly what I want to do on my Friday night.

Great first family experience! We came at a perfect time before the movie started and able to get situated! There was a good crowd there! It’s so good to see family doing things together! Great night before the rain came down, though we did see bright lightening tonight!
We parked our SUV in the 3^rd row from the screen and it was a perfect view. even from the side! Great quality screen and BiG enough! Lady taking the tickets is very informative. If you have any additional questions she has your answers.
Some need to know basics:
There are some things each driver should be considerate of… like. keeping your low beams on at all times if you need them on. Some drivers had their high beams at in your face! I think people just are not aware of the disturbance of others…
Getting to movie before it starts helps a lot! Everyone can hear you rattle in your car trying to get situated in the dark… :) You don’t want to be that car. :D

The showboat drive-​in was a blast. I felt like I was transporting myself back in time or into the grease movie with all the old timey charm of this movie going venue.
The concept is: you drive up in your car and pay the oh so reasonable price of $ 7 per person for a double feature. My friends and I watched fantastic four and the new mission impossible movie. And although the actual movies didn’t get from 4 stars from us, showboat drive-​in did. It’s very much a fun experience that I think everyone should try out!
After your pay for your ticket, you park in line with other cars in front of a massive outdoor movie screen that the movie will be projected on. You settle up all cozy with blankets and air conditioning in your car, visit the also very cheap and old fashioned concession stand in the back for some classic theatre eats (they have dip n dots!), and tune in on your car radio for your version of surround sound.
The only downsides or details one should be mindful of is that since the festivities are happening via your car, and so your car can run out its battery if you’re not careful to restart it every once in a while. Also, I advise going in a truck to sit out in the bed of the truck for the full experience, but then the audio suffers.
Otherwise, fully recommend!

I’ve been wanting to go to a drive in. I’ve been once before and it does prove for a fun and inexpensive night out… not to mention a great make-​out spot!
The Showboat is a bit of a drive from the city. They show double features that rotate weekly. There are two screens to choose from but there is no cherry picking movies. The ticket is per person per screen. At $ 7 its super cheap for first run movies. The open their gates at 630p on weekends and the movies don’t start till after dusk which was around 845p or so for us.
There is a concession stand but they don’t seem to mind if you bring in outside food and drink. Read: Big Bonus!!!
If you have chairs, you are allowed to use them in front of your space but not beside it to make sure everyone has room to park. The do insist that you keep your engine off during the movie, but being a little paranoid about draining the battery, I ended up turning it on a few times.
The biggest piece of advice I have is make sure you bring pillows or whatever to make your car as comfortable as possible. You could be spending 4 – 5 hours in it. I did not do this and we ended up leaving after the first movie. Even with this, it was an awesome value!
Stay sexy fellow Unilocalers!

Great place for a double feature, comfort of your own vehicle, and family entertainment. There really was no bad spots to park. Arrive early if you want to park near the park for the kids to play.
The only negative I have for this location is the snack bar. Took us 45 minutes to get to the front of the line, then another 15 minutes to wait for the food.
Place seemed clean, bathrooms were fine, and everyone around us was friendly.

The drive-​in experience was awesome for us! There is a playground area for kids to have fun while waiting for sunset and the movie to begin. There is a big open field to play catch or frisbee. The snack bar lines moved quickly even though lines were long. The wait for food (we ordered a cheeseburger & corndog) was 30 minutes, but the crowd was friendly and we chatted while we waited outside. The customer service is excellent! I will definitely go back again & again! It’s great for a night out with friends, extended family, or even a date night!

I had the best double date there. The place itself is a little bit far off, but for the price it’s you talk worth
— 2 movies for $ 14
— view is great where ever you park
— the service was awesome, really nice
— the place is clean
— they have a portable jumper if your car dies (which ours did twice)
I will definitely be back! ;)
A few tips…
Try and bring a truck or SUV so you can sit facing the screen. Bring snacks and a game, the movie only starts at dusk whenever that is. Also you really don’t need to turn your car on at all. We were able to hear just fine from everyone else’s car ;).
Enjoy!

It was a first time experience at a drive-​in theatre for my date and I and we really enjoyed ourselves. First off it was very affordable, from the ticket (2 movies for the price of 1) to the food (2 meals/​drinks and popcorn for $ 20). The customer service given in the concessions stand was great! Very friendly and attentive young guys. The restrooms were clean and they have plenty of stalls. The place was filled with teens but it didn’t particularly change our experience.
The movie screens are on opposite ends facing each other and to hear the audio you tune into the assigned radio station that’s listed. With the purchase of 1 ticket you are only able to watch the two movies in the lot you are on (depending on your movie selection). You have to pay for a second ticket if you wish to watch a movie that’s on the other screen. They have plenty of time for it to get dark before the movie started. No complaints whatsoever.
Next time we’ll be better prepared with blankets to put on the bed of the truck to be more comfortable. Although bring bug spray depending the weather (they weren’t bad but there were some).

I always enjoy coming to the drive-​in. It reminds me of those days of old that will be lost to the clock, forever.
The pricing for food is awesome here. Got plenty food and snacks to last two movies and spent a little over $ 20 for two people. Nice!
Restrooms, inside the concession stand, are pretty clean and their are plenty of urinals for men, BUT one sink? Sheesh!
I’d like it if they charged a little more per ticket or for food so that they can get the potholes fixed. That’s the only low point.

My son and I finally made it out here. It’s not bad! The prices aren’t ridiculous. It was about $ 6 per person for a double feature. We saw Fast & Furious 7 and Get Hard. The food is pretty good and not too pricey. Actually, the burger is one if the best I have had in a long time. The only thing that really bothered me is that we waited in the concession line for an HOUR. That was just to get to the counter. I understand that it was right as the movies were starting. But, with 4 counters are open, I thought it was slightly ridiculous. However, that’s not going to keep us away! We will simply plan accordingly next time. I think I liked it better than going to a movie theater! We will definitely be back!

We bought the GROUPON DOUBLE Feature, w/​lg popcorn and a drink, for two, $ 12. It was well worth it!!! We brought blankets and pillows bc it was really cold. We put our radio on 98.9 and were able to hear quite clear! It was definitely nostalgic!!! We had a drive-​in in Lamarque when I was a child. It’s ok to bring UR own snacks as they aren’t searching UR vehicles. Cool night!

Yeah, this place rocks. Wish we had something similar in Louisiana. As we don’t, must make it a point to make the trek out here again.
Among the finer points of awesomeness here:
1) First run blockbusters
2) Convenient location for what /​where it is — can’t have too much pesky city lights, y’know
3) In addition to food and bev, they offer free jumps for dead cars — never seen that before (and needed it too!)
4) Fills up, always nice to watch with a crowd, so get there early
In short, I can’t wait to return.

You live in a big city, you have done everything from malls, bars, restaurants, Galveston, concert halls, movie theaters and even slipped into the curvy tunnels of downtown Houston in the daytime so what is there to do now besides drive out of town to another city? You go to probably the only drive in theater that’s what you do! Yes, you, your family, your date and even your pet mouse you have in your pocket get to experience what it was like decades ago when these fun activities were a plenty in the 70’s.
If you are coming from the east side of Showboat and are on the correct street (2920), then keep on driving West. Do no fret, it is a little ways than you might expect but be expected to go from a 3, to a 2 and then single lane of traffic. No, you are not lost, wait for it… waaaait for it… before you even realize it you’ve run upon it on the right. If you pass it up while there is still light outside you need to open your eyes because you are driving blind and if it’s dark, you’ll come upon the tail end of the line which might have you really testing your breaks if you aren’t alert.
Once you turn in you will be following behind two lines. It does not matter which one you are in because you will get to the booth where you pay and they will direct you which side to park and even give you a pamphlet with pretty good instructions on what to do and not to do. The food prices are even on there as you will also notice the prices are about half of what you would pay at a regular theater.
Find your place without running into or over anybody and set your radio to FM and tune to which exact digital number movie you are watching. There are only two so if you happen to look up to see a lady on the screen and hear a man’s voice then you probably will need to switch to the other frequency. It’s not that hard and an attendant that is walking around will most likely be willing to help you. I do not know how well of a system that you must have in your vehicle to hear the movies but if you have a dolby hiss filter you will definitely be using that. Other than that, you can turn the volume up and ignore the imperfections of radio waves to your antenna might not induce.
Make sure you have all of your lights turned off including your parking lights. You might not realize it but your rear lights could be on but an attendant/​employee will kindly knock in your window and inform you in a reasonable manner. Yes, I was the knucklehead that didn’t realize it, I had a rental car and wasn’t used to the functions yet.
The price is $ 6 per person. It was a father and son night so $ 12 made it out to be a cool 4 plus hours that cannot be beat. We did not visit the concession stand but like stated the prices we saw were surprisingly cheap so save yourself a trip to the dollar store and support this local business that lives off of it’s concession.
The unique and fun factor is all here and you will be mentioning it to your friends after your first time here so maybe if we all support this kind of business maybe a miracle can happen and these drive inns can pop up all over again.