How are tickets sold?

Tickets are purchased per person online or at the gate; on Carload Wednesdays one ticket covers an entire vehicle.

How do I hear the movie?

Audio is broadcast over an FM frequency; tune your car radio or an FM‑capable device to the posted station when you park.

Are restrooms available?

Yes—restroom facilities are available on site; there is also a playground for children to use before showtime.

Can I leave headlights on during the show?

No—headlights and parking lights must be completely off during the screening to avoid disrupting others.

Where should tall vehicles park?

All vehicles over five feet must park at the yellow poles area—follow staff directions at check‑in to avoid re‑parking.

Are these films appropriate for kids?

Insidious: Out of the Further is PG‑13; Backrooms is R. Check ratings and content before bringing younger viewers.

Drive-In Double Feature in Mansfield: Insidious and Backrooms Under the Stars

At the edge of Mansfield Center, Connecticut, a familiar hum of car radios and the crunch of gravel set the scene at 228 Stafford Rd, Mansfield Center, CT 06250, where the Mansfield Drive-In flips its giant screen on for a double horror feature: Insidious: Out of the Further followed by Backrooms. This drive‑in experience pairs classic outdoor cinema ritual with modern scares, making the parking field itself part of the night’s architecture.

Insidious: Out of the Further opens the evening with Gemma’s unmooring between worlds—the PG‑13 story of a mother who can cross into the Further and, when pursued, brings its threats back into daylight. Backrooms follows: an R‑rated descent through an impossible basement maze where time stutters and something unseen stalks the corridors. Together they create a pulse‑quickening contrast—supernatural dread then uncanny claustrophobia—that lands especially well at an outdoor venue where the boundary between safety and the dark feels thin.

Practicalities anchor the mood: tickets admit each person (except on Carload Wednesdays when one ticket covers an entire vehicle). Bring your phone or a printed copy of your ticket for check‑in; box office attendants will point you to a parking spot and the FM frequency for audio. Concessions take cash and card, and on‑site restrooms and a playground mean the site can serve families and larger groups—while content warnings make clear the second feature is for mature audiences.

The property enforces a few rules that shape the experience: vehicles taller than five feet must park at the yellow poles, and headlights—including parking lights—must be off during the show. These details, plus the FM‑broadcast soundtrack, create a communal silence punctuated by the films themselves.

What makes this drive‑in special is less the movies than the setting: an American‑style drive‑in that still operates in a region where many mid‑century screens have gone dark. It’s a living piece of film history that adapts to contemporary tastes—double features, horror programming, and family‑friendly logistics—without losing the tactile pleasures of watching from your own car. For visitors staying in nearby Mansfield or commuting from Storrs, the drive‑in offers a night that’s part spectacle, part social ritual: cheap thrills, easy amenities, and the rare pleasure of a movie watched under open sky.

Arrive early to claim a good sightline; cars toward the middle rows usually balance screen size and sound. Tune to the posted FM frequency at dusk and keep headlights off once parked. Bring warm layers, a thermos, and a portable phone charger—engines off conserves battery but limits climate control. Concessions are available, yet packing snacks can speed entry. Families often use the on-site playground before showtime, while horror fans prize the communal silence that makes both films land harder even under the open sky.

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.