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Walmart Goes Hollywood

Rolls out drive-in movie theaters to 160 of its store parking lots. Created in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, and featuring Drew Barrymore as a virtual host, Walmart is rolling out drive-in movies in 160 of its store parking lots through Oct. 21.

Jennifer Strailey

August 5, 2020

2 Min Read
Walmart drive-in
Walmart drive-inPhotograph courtesy of Walmart

In what may be the most nostalgic summer on record—where nothing is the same as it used to be—Walmart is kicking it old school, revealing plans for the Walmart Drive-in. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer is rolling out drive-in movie theater experiences to 160 Walmart stores across the country beginning this month.

Created in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, the drive-in movies will be available for free to Walmart customers from Aug. 14 to Oct. 21, with 320 showings of hit movies. To reserve a space and discover dates, store locations and the movies for each stop on the tour, customers can visit TheWalmartDriveIn.com.

“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. The Walmart Drive-in is one small way we’re supporting the communities we serve,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer, in a statement.

During the tour, 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, Jennifer Garner, LeBron James and Chrissy Metz at select showings.

The Walmart Drive-in promises a contact-free experience where customers can watch popular films curated by the Tribeca Film Festival. Films include "Friday Night Lights," "The Karate Kid," "Space Jam," "Black Panther," "Pokemon Detective Pikachu," "The Lego Batman Movie," "Wonder Woman," "The Wizard of Oz" and more.

Ahead of each feature presentation, audiences will screen one of a number of short films, including "Bilby," "Bird Karma," "Brooklyn Breeze," "CROW: The Legend, Fire in Cardboard City," "Invasion," "Looney Tunes’ Boo Appetweet" and "Marooned."

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About the Author

Jennifer Strailey

Jennifer Strailey is editor in chief of Winsight Grocery Business. With more than two decades of experience covering the competitive grocery, natural products and specialty food and beverage landscape, Jennifer’s focus has been to provide retail decision-makers with the insight, market intelligence, trends analysis, news and strategic merchandising concepts that drive sales. She began her journalism career at The Gourmet Retailer, where she was an associate editor and has been a longtime freelancer for a variety of trade media outlets. Additionally, she has more than a decade of experience in the wine industry, both as a reporter and public relations account executive. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Boston College. Jennifer lives with her family in Denver.

 

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