Longview Times

In Hockley, drive-in movie theaters are becoming more popular as officials continue to enforce social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

While most movie theaters have closed due to the pandemic, drive-in theaters are taking advantage of this time to give individuals a chance to leave their houses while abiding my social distancing rules, according to ABC News. 

The Showboat Drive-In Theater in Hockley saw a 40% increase in ticket sales last weekend, owner Andrew Thomas told ABC News. 

"Obviously this isn't the way you'd want it to occur, but I'm excited for the idea that there may be a new generation of people that will get to experience going to a drive-in theater and – I was going to say catch the bug,"  Thomas said. 

In the U.S., there are about 300 drive-in theaters left standing, many of which aren't open. Drive-in theaters are seasonal and usually open sometime in April, according to ABC News. John Vincent, president of the United Drive-In Theater Owner Association, told ABC News around 5% to 10% were open in the beginning of April and some will remain closed due to the coronavirus. 

"We'd love the drive-ins to shine but this is probably not the moment,"  Vincent said. 

But many individuals are visiting the drive-in theaters as a responsible way to get out, ABC News reported. Forrest McBride told ABC News he and his wife went to Paramount Drive-in near Los Angeles to celebrate their anniversary. 

"We were like, what can we do? Everything's closed," McBride told ABC News. "We were like, 'Well, a drive-in theater is kind of like a self-quarantined movie date.'"

Drive-ins may distance viewers while watching the movie, but restrooms and concession stands are still safety concerns, ABC News reported. 

Blue Moon Drive-in in Guin, Alabama, is doing what it can to limit human-to-human contact and the number of people at the theater. 

Owner Chris Curtis said he is encouraging people to bring their own food and drink, while limiting the number of tickets being sold. 

"We're just trying to pay the power bill and the water bill and get through this, and give the community something to do at a time when there's not a whole lot to do,"  Curtis said. "It's not about the movies anymore. It's about having something to do."

But many drive-in theaters aren't sure how long they will be able to stay open. Owners said they receive the most business during the summer, so surviving these next few weeks will be critical. 

Lisa Boaz owns Monetta Drive-in in Monetta, South Carolina, with her husband. Boaz told ABC News she's trying to stay open, but will close the theater to follow a stay-at-home order if necessary. 

"It is kind of nice that we're getting a little bit of extra attention," she said. "Maybe people don't want to stay inside as much as they thought they did. The old ways are the best ways."