Walmart Is Turning Its Parking Lots Into Drive-In Movie Theaters For Its Customers

In an announcement that will certainly come as welcome news for the homeless and unemployed already living in their cars in Walmart parking lots, the retailer said yesterday that effective August 14, it is going to be kicking off the “Walmart Drive-in movie theater experience”. 

The retailer’s “first ever drive-in” movie theater will debut at 160 different Walmart stores across the country starting this month in a partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival. Because showing Disney movies to overweight Walmart customers eating McDonald’s in their Dodge pickup trucks is basically synonymous with the elite crowds that attend the Tribeca Film Festival. 

Better yet, you know the drive-ins will attract an elite crowd, because Walmart is offering them as “free to Walmart customers”. 

Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer, said: “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.”

The drive-ins will feature filmmakers and surprise guests making appearances at “select showings”, the retailer says. The company says the films will include:

• “Inspiring sports stories” like Friday Night Lights, The Karate Kid and Space Jam
• “Blockbuster franchises” including Black Panther, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, The Lego Batman Movie, Spider-Man^TM: Into The Spider-Verse, Spy Kids, Teen Titans GO! To the Movies and Wonder Woman
• “Out-of-this-world stories” like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Ghostbusters and Men in Black^TM: International
• “Nostalgic favorites” including Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, The Goonies and The Wizard of Oz
• “Inspiring true stories” from Dolphin Tale to Selena
• “Animated features every member of the family can enjoy” like Cars, The Iron Giant, The Lego Movie and Madagascar
• 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

“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 company said.

You can go to TheWalmartDriveIn.com for information on showings.