You know that feeling when you're driving down Route 302, the sun is starting to dip behind the pines, and you see that massive white screen looming over the trees? Honestly, it’s one of the best sights in Maine. There’s something about the Bridgton Maine drive in movie experience that just hits different. It isn’t just about watching a flick; it’s about that specific smell of pine needles mixed with buttery popcorn and the sound of a hundred car doors slamming at once.
Most people think drive-ins died out in the eighties. Not here.
While most of the country traded the gravel lot for a sticky-floored multiplex, the Bridgton Twin Drive-In stayed put. It’s been a staple since 1957. That’s nearly 70 years of people backing their station wagons (and now their SUVs) into those little dirt mounds. If you’ve never been, or if you haven't gone since you were a kid, you’re missing out on the most authentic "Maine summer" thing you can possibly do.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bridgton Twin
People assume it's a rickety old relic. It's not.
Sure, it feels nostalgic, but the Tevanian family—who have owned the place since 1971—actually kept up with the times. They made the jump to digital projection back in 2014. If you’re worried about a blurry, dim picture that looks like a recorded VHS tape, don't be. The image is crisp. The colors pop against the dark Maine sky.
The biggest misconception? That you need those old-school window-hanger speakers. You don’t. Basically, you just tune your car’s FM radio to the station they give you at the gate. Pro tip: if you’re worried about your car battery dying, bring a portable radio. Nobody wants to be that person asking for a jump-start when the credits roll at midnight.
The "Cash Only" Reality Check
Listen, this is Maine. We do things a little differently here, and the Bridgton drive-in is no exception. It is cash only. Seriously. Don't show up with your Apple Pay or your fancy credit card and expect to get in. You’ll be that person holding up the line while everyone else is trying to catch the previews. There’s something kinda refreshing about it, though. You pull up, hand over a twenty and some singles, and you’re in.
Currently, the pricing usually breaks down like this:
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- $22 for a carload with 2 people.
- $28 for a carload with 3 to 6 people.
- A few extra bucks if you’ve managed to cram more than six people into your minivan.
It’s one of the few places where you can actually take a whole family out for under thirty bucks and get a double feature. You’re getting two movies for the price of one. Usually, they pair a big-budget blockbuster with something a bit more family-friendly, or they’ll do a double-tap of horror movies if it’s getting close to October.
Why The Snack Bar Is The Heart Of The Place
You could bring your own snacks. Plenty of people do. They pack coolers with sandwiches and juice boxes. But honestly? You’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t hit the snack bar.
It’s a classic setup. They’ve got the essentials: hot dogs, burgers, and pizza slices that taste exactly like childhood. But the popcorn is the real hero. It’s salty, it’s buttery, and it comes in those giant tubs that you’ll definitely finish before the first movie is even halfway over.
I’ve seen people show up an hour early just to wait in the snack line. It’s part of the ritual. You stand there in the humid Maine evening, swatting a couple of mosquitoes, chatting with the locals, and waiting for your number to be called. It’s communal in a way that Netflix just isn’t.
Navigating the Two Screens
A lot of drive-ins only have one screen. Bridgton is a "Twin," which means you’ve got options. When you pull in, they’ll tell you which side is which.
Screen 1 usually gets the biggest new releases. Think Marvel, Star Wars, or whatever the huge summer hit is. Screen 2 often leans a little more toward the kids' stuff or secondary hits.
The layout is pretty smart. The screens are positioned so they don't bleed into each other too much, though you might see a bit of light from the other side if you're looking for it. The ground is sloped, too. You want to park so your front wheels are up on the little humps—it tilts your car back just enough so you’re looking up at the screen without straining your neck.
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Survival Tips for a Bridgton Movie Night
If you want to do this right, you need a plan.
First, show up early. If the gates open at 7:30, be there at 7:00. On a busy Saturday in July, the line can stretch way back onto Route 302. You want a good spot in the middle of the lot, not stuck way off to the side where you’re looking at the screen at a weird angle.
Second, bring blankets. I don’t care if it was 90 degrees during the day. This is the Lakes Region. Once that sun goes down, the temperature drops fast. If you’re sitting in lawn chairs outside your car, you’re going to want a fleece or a sleeping bag.
Third, the bug situation. They’re real. Bring the Deep Woods Off. Or better yet, get some of those mosquito coils to put near your chairs. If you stay inside your car, you’re fine, but half the fun is sitting in the bed of a truck or in the back of an SUV with the hatch popped.
- The Hatch Rule: If you have an SUV and you open the hatch, you have to tie it down so it doesn't block the view of the people behind you. The staff is pretty strict about this, and rightfully so. Bring a piece of twine or a bungee cord.
The Cultural Impact of the Drive-In
There were once 39 drive-ins in Maine. Now there are only a handful left—places like the Saco Drive-In or Prides Corner. Bridgton feels like a survivor.
It survived the rise of the VCR. It survived the pandemic (in fact, it thrived then, because it was the only safe way to get out of the house). It’s surviving the streaming era.
There’s a reason for that. We spend all day looking at small screens in our pockets. We spend our nights looking at screens in our living rooms. Going to the Bridgton Maine drive in movie is a physical event. You’re out in the air. You’re hearing the wind in the trees. You’re seeing the stars above the screen.
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It’s also one of the few places where kids can be kids. They can run around the gravel during the intermissions, they can wear their pajamas to the theater, and nobody cares if they make a little noise. It’s the ultimate "no-judgment" zone for parents.
What To Do Before The Show
Since the movies don’t start until dusk (usually around 8:30 or 9:00 PM in the height of summer), you’ve got plenty of time to kill in Bridgton.
The town is gorgeous. You can spend the afternoon at Highland Lake or grab a burger at the Standard Gastropub—which is actually in a renovated gas station. If you’re into hiking, Bald Pate Mountain is right nearby and offers some killer views before you head over to the theater.
A lot of people make a full day of it. They spend the day on the water, grab a quick dinner in town, and then roll into the drive-in with their towels still damp from the lake. That is the peak Maine experience.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out this weekend, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Check the Facebook page: The Bridgton Twin Drive-In updates their schedule and "now playing" list on Facebook more reliably than anywhere else. Check it the day of to make sure of the start times.
- Hit the ATM: Remember, no cash, no movie. Stop at a bank in town before you get in line.
- Pack the "Drive-In Kit": Portable FM radio (to save your car battery), bug spray, blankets, and a bungee cord for your SUV hatch.
- Arrive 45 minutes before gate opening: Especially on holiday weekends. It gets packed.
- Park strategically: Front tires on the mounds, and try to be near the snack bar if you have kids—it makes the bathroom runs a lot easier.
The Bridgton drive-in isn't just a place to see a movie. It’s a time machine. It reminds you that sometimes, the old way of doing things was actually the better way. There’s no better way to spend a Friday night than under the Maine stars with a tub of popcorn and a double feature.