About Us
Drive-In Cinemas
Across Europe
The Drive-In Club is your guide to drive-in cinemas across Europe. From Germany's Autokinos to pop-up screenings in the UK, we document outdoor cinema culture across the continent.
European Drive-Ins by the Numbers
Our Mission
Drive-in cinemas have a rich European history that deserves to be documented. We provide comprehensive listings and guides to help you discover outdoor cinema across the continent.
- 1
Document European Drive-In Culture
Record the history of drive-in cinemas across Europe, from Germany's first Autokino in 1960 to the COVID-era revival that brought pop-up screenings to cities across the continent.
- 2
Help You Find Drive-Ins
Provide accurate, up-to-date listings of operating drive-in cinemas in every European country, with maps, directions, and practical visiting tips.
- 3
Celebrate Outdoor Cinema
Whether it's a permanent Autokino in Germany, a summer pop-up in London, or a seaside screening in Spain, drive-ins offer a unique way to experience film.
Drive-Ins in Europe
European drive-in cinema has its own distinct history, shaped by car culture, climate, and the creative response to COVID-19.
1960: Germany Leads the Way
Europe's first drive-in cinema opened in Gravenbruch near Frankfurt in 1960. Germany went on to become the continent's Autokino heartland, with venues from Essen to Cologne.
1970s-2000s: Expansion and Decline
Drive-ins spread across Europe — Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and beyond. But multiplex cinemas and rising land values led to widespread closures by the 2000s.
2020: The COVID Revival
The pandemic sparked a dramatic resurgence. Pop-up drive-ins appeared across the continent, from London's The Drive-In Club to improvised Autokinos in parking lots across Germany.
Our Resources
What We Provide
Detailed information on drive-in cinemas across Europe, including addresses, opening status, and websites.
In-depth guides to drive-in culture in each European country, with history, current venues, and visiting tips.
Browse all European drive-ins on an interactive map with status filters and country selection.
Practical advice on FM radio, arrival times, and making the most of your drive-in visit in any country.
Stories about Autokinos, the COVID pop-up movement, and the legacy of outdoor cinema in Europe.
We continuously update our listings to reflect closures, new venues, and seasonal changes.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Know of a drive-in cinema that's not in our database? Let us know and we'll add it to our listings.
Help us keep our information accurate by reporting any changes to drive-in details, hours, or status.
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Browse our complete directory of drive-in cinemas across Europe.
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