Check in at the box office at 228 Stafford Rd; have your tickets on your phone or printed for quick scanning.

Can I park outside a car?

Yes—many guests sit on hoods or bring low chairs, but follow height rules and keep walkways clear.

How do I hear the movie?

Audio is streamed over an FM station assigned by the venue—set your radio to that frequency with headlights off.

Are tickets per person or per car?

Tickets are per person except on Carload Wednesdays, when one ticket covers the entire vehicle.

Are restrooms available?

Yes, restrooms are on site as noted in the listing.

Is the event family-friendly?

Both films are rated R—check ratings and content before bringing children.

Drive-In Double Feature: Backrooms & Scary Movie at Mansfield Drive-In

Backrooms THEN Scary Movie at Mansfield Drive-In throws a cinematic double punch to the night sky just off Route 44. The drive-in sits at 228 Stafford Rd, Mansfield Center, Connecticut, and this seasonal program pairs Backrooms — an unnerving, claustrophobic horror rooted in internet folklore — with the slasher comedy Scary Movie. Pull into the gravel lot, tune your FM radio, and trade the glossy multiplex for a more tactile, communal moviegoing ritual under open air.

The first feature, Backrooms, translates the online no-clip myth into a cinema-sized maze of buzzing fluorescents, damp carpet, and endless yellow walls; it’s the kind of sensory unease that makes the parked car feel like a refuge and a coffin at once. Following it, Scary Movie delivers a fast, irreverent riff on slasher tropes that loosens the tension and sends the crowd out laughing or on edge depending on where they sit. Together the pairing balances dread and release, making the evening an exercise in controlled adrenaline.

Practically, the Mansfield Drive-In keeps things straightforward. Box office and check-in happen at the listed meeting point on Stafford Road; have tickets on your phone or printed for quick scanning. Tickets are sold per person except on Carload Wednesdays, when a single ticket covers any size vehicle. All films are R-rated; plan accordingly. The venue broadcasts audio over FM radio so headlights must be off and radios set to the assigned station. There are restrooms and a playground on site, and concessions accept cash and card.

Why this is special: small-town drive-ins are living pieces of American outdoor recreation culture. Here the architecture — the wide lawn, the silhouetted hoods, the projector beam cutting through a farmland sky — is as much the attraction as the films. Mansfield’s site is accessible from nearby UConn and the Route 44 corridor, making it a draw for students, locals, and visitors who want a night that’s part nostalgia, part communal festival.

For visitors, timing matters: arrive early to secure a good spot, bring blankets, and consider low-profile chairs if you plan to sit outside your vehicle. Respect vehicle height rules near yellow poles, and remember to turn off all lights during the show. Whether you’re chasing an urban-legend scare in Backrooms or laughing with a rowdy crowd at Scary Movie, the drive-in offers a cinematic, outdoor night that feels both vintage and vividly immediate.

Concessions on site serve classic drive-in fare and the staff will guide you to rowed parking; bring change if you prefer cash, although cards are accepted. Carload Wednesdays are a budget-friendly option for groups. For anyone coming from out of town, nearby Mansfield Center offers basic services, but plan fuel and snacks before arrival to maximize time under the stars.

About Mansfield Drive-In Theatre

Mansfield Drive-In Theatre is a drive-in movie theater located in Mansfield, Connecticut. It operates outdoor, ticketed double-feature film screenings on a large outdoor screen where attendees watch from their vehicles or nearby seating.

The venue programs a rotating schedule of popular and classic films, including family-oriented holiday features and action-packed double bills. Current offerings include themed double features such as The Fantastic Four: First Steps THEN The Materialists; Superman THEN F1; Jaws (50th Anniversary!!) THEN Nobody 2; Freakier Friday THEN The Fantastic Four: First Steps; plus single-title events like The Polar Express and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Each screening is presented as a curated pairing or standalone holiday presentation to suit diverse audiences. Mansfield Drive-In Theatre focuses on delivering an accessible outdoor cinema experience with clear ticketing information, scheduled showtimes, and on-site amenities appropriate for drive-in operations. The theater follows local regulations and community standards for public gatherings and film exhibition.

Audience members are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and consult showtime listings for film ratings, start times, and double-feature formats. The venue appeals to families, couples, and groups seeking nostalgic and socially distanced entertainment. Mansfield Drive-In Theatre maintains an active schedule of seasonal special events and holiday screenings, providing an outdoor alternative to indoor cinemas.

For visitors planning a trip, the theater’s public listings and show descriptions offer concise details about each double-feature program and individual film content. Additional information on parking, concessions, and accessibility is available through the theater's official schedule and ticketing channels. Check showtimes online.