Sadly, Montana Is Down To Just One Of These Under The Big Sky

Montana Is Home To Just One Drive-in Theater

Spring is here in Montana, even if we might be in the middle of a false spring.

Time moves fast, and before you know it, it'll be summer, and those warm summer nights would make for a good time to take the family to a drive-in theater.

Sadly, Montana is down to just 1 drive-in movie theater in the state. Just a few years ago, Montana used to have 3 in operation, but then tragedy struck. In June 2022, the Amusement Park Drive-in Theater in Billings caught on fire, and it destroyed the theater. There might be a glimmer of hope, however, as their last communication on their Facebook page in the fall of 2024 was talking about reopening.

What Happened To The Other Two?

Montana used to be home to more than just 3 drive-ins, as the website Drive In Movie shows a listing of 7 closed theaters, but they need to update that list to 8, as the Pharaohplex Drive-in in Hamilton is no longer in operation.

This drive-in theater was pretty unique. When Covid-19 struck in 2020, the Pharaohplex Cinemas built a drive-in theater screen on the side of their building that allowed them to continue to show movies during the lock-down. Today they have shifted their operations and to become a film production studio.

That leaves just the Silver-Bow Drive-in, located in Butte, as Montana's lone drive-in theater.

According to Driveinmovie.com, they have been running since 1977 and in 1980 became Montana's first (and now only) twin screen drive-in. They haven't opened for the season yet, but their season usually runs from May to September. Watch for their opening and to see what movies are playing by following their Facebook page.