- Gets dark7:35 pmGates open 7:00 pm
- Google rating4.6012345678901234567890123456789reviews
- Screens1
- Price$10*per adult
- DogsWelcome*
- Sit outsideBehind your car
- FM97.5 FM
- Car spots400
- This week's moviesOn own websiteWeekly
- Opened1955
Starlite Drive-In Theatre in Bloomington, Indiana sells tickets through its own site, with online purchase and an emailed confirmation.
Location
Where is Starlite Drive-In Theatre?
Starlite Drive-In Theatre is at 7640 S Old State Rd 37, Bloomington, IN 47403. The entrance is at West Chumley Road.
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Where to eat nearby
If you would rather eat before the movie than at the counter:
- Eagle Pointe Restaurant & Bar
- Rusty Anchor Lakeside Saloon
- Pan Nito Bakery
Start time
What time does the movie start at Starlite Drive-In Theatre?
What Starlite Drive-In Theatre says: The theater posted 7:45 pm for the first movie on October 10, 2026. Full dark that night was 7:42 pm, so the movie started right at dark.
In October the sun sets around 7:08 pm and it gets dark around 7:35 pm.
Dark means full dark, about 25 minutes after sunset. It is not a time Starlite Drive-In Theatre promises, and some drive-ins start the movie before it. Plan to be parked by sunset.
Here is when it gets dark in each month, from April to October, on the 15th.
| Month | Gets dark |
|---|---|
| April | 8:50 pm |
| May | 9:21 pm |
| June | 9:45 pm |
| July | 9:42 pm |
| August | 9:10 pm |
| September | 8:22 pm |
| October | 7:35 pm |
For more on what time it gets dark and when drive-ins really start their movies, read our start-time guide.
Prices
How much Starlite Drive-In Theatre costs
- Adult$10*
- Child$5*Ages 6-12
- Under 6Free*Kids 5 and under
- Senior$8
- Military discount$8With a valid ID
Amenities
Food, restrooms and rules
- You can bring your dog
- You can sit outside, but only right behind your own car
- No grilling, fireworks, or alcohol allowed on the lot (rules page).
- Rules page tells guests to set up chairs and blankets in front of their vehicle, not behind -- conflicts with the row's sit_outside_car value of behind-vehicle-only.
Showtimes
What's playing at Starlite Drive-In Theatre this week
Starlite Drive-In Theatre posts this week's movies and start times on its own website, usually weekly. Check there for tonight's show.
Reviews
What visitors say about Starlite Drive-In Theatre
From 492 visitor reviews, 4.6 stars.
A 20-year Bloomington tradition
- Reviewers call it a family tradition going back 20+ years and one of the best kept secrets in town
- Pet friendly and family friendly come up again and again as reasons to return
Per-person pricing surprised regulars
- The theater moved from per-car to per-person pricing, and a 3-star review called the new total for a family of four a shock
- The owner replied that per-person costs most families less than the $25-$30 carload rate, and that weekday evening retro movies are free for everyone
Good food and sound, thin on accessibility
- Reviewers praise the concession selection, popcorn and sound quality
- One reviewer noted some screens sit a distance from the restroom with no golf cart or wheelchair route
Before you go
Know before you go
- The box office opens 7:00 pm
- Oversized vehicles park in the back.
- You get a free pass if rain stops the movie
- Car radio not working? Backup speakers are set up outside Concessions.
- Dead battery? There's a jump box in Concessions.
- Start your car briefly during intermission to keep the battery charged.
- Hatchbacks must be tied down level with the roof, ask staff for twine if you need it.
- Weekday evening retro movies are free for everyone, all summer, per the owner.
- In a tornado warning the movie pauses, staff announce over your car radio, and Concessions is the shelter point.
History
The history of Starlite Drive-In Theatre
The Starlite Drive-In in Bloomington, Indiana, opened in 1955. The Barnhart family, owners of the KJB Theaters chain, bought it and still run it as a family business. The Starlite has one screen, shows double features each season, and holds about 400 cars.
FAQ
Questions about Starlite Drive-In Theatre, answered
How many screens does Starlite Drive-In Theatre have?
Starlite Drive-In Theatre has one screen. Everybody on the lot watches the same film, so there is nothing to choose when you arrive. Park where you like, tune your radio and wait for the light to go.
What FM frequency does Starlite Drive-In Theatre use?
Starlite Drive-In Theatre broadcasts its soundtrack on 97.5 FM. The audio comes through your own car stereo rather than a speaker on a post. If your car cannot run its radio with the engine off, bring a portable one.
What time does the movie start at Starlite Drive-In Theatre?
What Starlite Drive-In Theatre says: The theater posted 7:45 pm for the first movie on October 10, 2026. Full dark that night was 7:42 pm, so the movie started right at dark. In October it gets dark around 7:35 pm. Check with the theater on the day you go.
How much does Starlite Drive-In Theatre cost?
Admission to Starlite Drive-In Theatre is $10 per adult, $5 per child 6-12, $8 for seniors and military. Two adults and two children come to $30. Children 5 and under get in free.
Are dogs allowed at Starlite Drive-In Theatre?
Dogs are welcome at Starlite Drive-In Theatre, so there is no sitter to arrange. Keep yours with you at the car, bring water, and clean up afterwards. A nervous dog is worth leaving at home, because car horns and sound carry across a lot.
Nearby
Other drive-in theaters in Indiana
- 23 miles awayCinema 67 Drive-inSee this theater
- 33 miles awayCenterBrook Drive-In TheaterSee this theater
- 51 miles awayTibbs Drive-InSee this theater
- 54 miles awayThe Skyline Drive-InSee this theater