Starlight Six Drive-in Theatre
Atlanta, GA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Check out the Starlight Six Drive-In Theatre, one of Atlanta's true roadside treasures. The art deco entrance marquee has been welcoming moviegoers along Moreland Avenue for generations, and it's still one of those classic signs that makes you want to pull in and see what's playing. Even after all these years, the glow of the marquee and the sight of the giant screens rising above the lot are enough to bring back memories of the golden age of the drive-in. 06-06

The Starlight first opened in 1949 with a single screen before expanding into the Starlight Twin and, eventually, the Starlight Six. At its busiest, six giant screens entertained movie fans from all over the Atlanta area, making it one of the Southeast's best-known outdoor theaters. While the layout has changed over the years, the Starlight has never lost the relaxed feeling that makes drive-ins so much fun. Load up the car, stop by the concession stand, and settle in for a movie beneath the stars.

The theater has found another way to stay busy, too. On weekend mornings the grounds fill with shoppers and vendors during the longtime Starlight Flea Market. By evening, the tables disappear, the cars begin rolling through the entrance, and the lot transforms back into a drive-in just as it has for generations.

Starlight Six Drive-in Theatre
Atlanta, GA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

As more and more drive-ins disappeared, the Starlight simply kept going. Today it's the last operating drive-in in the Atlanta area, giving a whole new generation the chance to enjoy movies the old-fashioned way.

UPDATE: The Starlight Drive-In remains open year-round, and its classic roadside marquee continues welcoming moviegoers to Atlanta. 08-26

Jesup Drive-in Theatre
Jesup, GA
Photo courtesy Andy Morales

The Jesup Drive-In Theatre has been welcoming moviegoers along U.S. 301 since the late 1940s, and it's still one of those roadside places that makes you smile when the marquee comes into view. Long before the movie starts, the anticipation begins as you turn off the highway, pull through the entrance, and watch the giant screens come into view against the evening sky. 07-06

Jesup Drive-in Theatre Marquee
Jesup, GA
Photo courtesy Andy Morales

Originally opened in 1948 as the Family Drive-In, the theater later became the Jesup Drive-In and eventually expanded into a two-screen operation. Today it holds the distinction of being Georgia's oldest continuously operating drive-in, a title that's becoming more impressive with each passing year. While many outdoor theaters have faded into memory, the Jesup continues doing what it has done for generations, giving families a chance to enjoy first-run movies beneath the stars.

One of the things that makes the Jesup especially fun is its embrace of the drive-in's golden age. Instead of simply picking up food at the concession stand, you might be greeted by a carhop dressed in classic 1950s attire, adding just the right touch of nostalgia to the evening. It's little details like that which make the theater feel less like a business and more like a step back in time.

Jesup Drive-in Theatre Marquee
Jesup, GA
Photo courtesy Andy Morales

The drive-in faced one of its greatest challenges in 2024 when Hurricane Helene swept through southeast Georgia. The storm heavily damaged the entrance marquee, screens, and buildings, leaving many to wonder if the theater's long run had finally come to an end. Fortunately, the owners and the local community refused to let that happen. After months of rebuilding, the gates reopened in the spring of 2025, proving once again that some roadside landmarks are simply too special to lose.

As darkness settles over the lot, families unfold lawn chairs, children play while waiting for the previews, and the smell of fresh popcorn fills the air. Before long, headlights fade, the projector comes to life, and another evening at the Jesup Drive-In begins. It's the same simple experience that has kept people coming back for more than seventy-five years, and one that's becoming harder to find with every passing decade.

UPDATE: The Jesup Drive-In remains open following its 2025 restoration and continues welcoming moviegoers as Georgia's oldest continuously operating drive-in theater. 08-26