Walmart to premiere drive-in movies in parking lots

The Walmart Drive-In, a movie theater experience for families created in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, will make its world premiere on August 14 in the parking lots of 160 Walmart stores across the country. 

Available for free to Walmart customers, the Walmart Drive-in will transform Walmart parking lots into outdoor cinemas from August 14 through October 21 with 320 showings of popular, family-friendly movies. Starting on Wed., Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. ET, Walmart customers can visit www.TheWalmartDriveIn.com to find dates, store locations and the movies for each stop of the movie tour, as well as reserve space for the movie of their choice.

“We recognize the challenges our customers and their families have faced over the last few months and we wanted to create an experience where they could come together safely to create new memories,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer. “The Walmart Drive-in is one small way we’re supporting the communities we serve.” 

Above, a rendering of the Walmart Drive-in, where families can enjoy contact-free moviegoing from their cars in 160 Walmart parking lots across the country.

With many summer activities stalled or canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant Walmart first announced the movie program in July as a way to offer new experiences to help bring families together for traditional fun in nontraditional ways. Moviegoers can enjoy contactless viewing from the safety of their cars.

Related:Walmart launching virtual summer camp, drive-in movies for summer fun

The list of popular movies has been curated by the Tribeca Film Festival, and includes such hits and classics as Black Panther, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Back to The Future,  The Goonies, The Karate Kid, Wonder Woman and more — including an opportunity to see the 1939 family classic The Wizard of Oz on the big screen.

Filmmakers and special guests will help Walmart celebrate bringing back the big screen to communities across the country. Drew Barrymore will serve as virtual host for all events, welcoming guests to a fun family night experience. She will also make a surprise in-person appearance at one location. Families will be also be treated to surprise virtual or in-person appearances from Peter Berg (director of Friday Night Lights, which is on the schedule), Jennifer Garner, LeBron James and Chrissy Metz at select showings. 

For the complete movie-going experience, families can stock up on their favorite theater concessions to bring along with them through Walmart’s convenient pickup or delivery services.  

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