Fort Lauderdale, Florida: First-Run Outdoor Movies at the Swap Shop Drive-In Movie Theater

The Swap Shop Drive-In in Fort Lauderdale has 14 screens showing first-run films at $6 a ticket — a fraction of what a night out at a conventional theater costs for a family. Regulars often catch two or three movies in a single visit. Five on-site concession stands are supplemented by golf carts circulating through the lot, though many families simply bring their own cooler along with takeout food.

Devoted drive-in fans have been known to modify their vehicles specifically for the experience. One Fort Lauderdale regular replaced their truck’s rear window with a model that lowers automatically, turning the bed into a comfortable outdoor theater seat lined with cushions and comforters. With 14 screens in view from most spots, it’s easy to survey other films mid-show and switch screens if the first choice disappoints — a flexibility no indoor theater can match.