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Walmart to premiere drive-in movies in parking lots

Retailer releases schedule for contactless movie theater experience for families

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

August 5, 2020

2 Min Read
Walmart_Drive_in_Image_1.jpg
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.Walmart

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.” 

Walmart_Drive_in_Image_2.jpg

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 FutureThe 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.  

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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