Drive-ins saved the cinematic experience last year and just because brick-and-mortar theatres are reopening that doesn’t mean they’re going away. That’s why the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In has announced it’s invested in a DCP Digital Cinema System at its downtown location to show new releases for the next year.
The mini-chain opened its downtown location last August on top of the State of Texas parking garage at Third and San Antonio as a pandemic response. Now they’ve signed a one-year extension with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, and so they’re expanding screen 2 (the main screen) to 40 foot and installing a DCP projector for brighter, clearer images. Screenings take place Tuesday through Saturday, with additional late night shows Friday and Saturday. Guests will also be able to pre-order food from a selection of downtown restaurants, including Wu Chow, Salt & Time, and Swift’s Attic.
“I never would have imagined our little bootstrapped Austin drive-in would be able to do this,” said founder and operator Josh Frank. “Our flagship Mueller Location and Round Rock Hilltop location will continue to bring our signature classics and new Indies to the screen. But our downtown location with its view of the city will transform into Austin’s newest venue for seeing big tentpole movies in a venue unlike any other.”
Frank said that the decision came after he saw a 200% increase in revenues from its three local locations (Downtown, Mueller, and Round Rock). “I decided to take the majority of our profits from 2020 and reinvest it in the Blue Starlite to bring something I never imagined I would be able to bring to our experience. New, just-released Hollywood movies.”
New releases aren’t that new at the Blue, as it was a home to smaller new releases at the beginning of the pandemic, plus arthouse faves like Minari and Zola at the Mueller location. However, the Downtown news means adding blockbuster titles: Starting July 23, the initial confirmed slate will include The Boss Baby: Family Business, A Quiet Place Part II, Old, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, F9: The Fast Saga, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, The Forever Purge, and Respect.
Frank promised that this won’t affect the mix of classics and cult faves at Blue Starlite’s other locations (plus he just confirmed that the eagerly-awaited The Green Knight will open at Mueller).
Find tickets and more info for all Blue Starlite locations at www.bluestarlitedrivein.com.
This article appears in July 2 • 2021.
