Overlook Drive-In: A Fresh Breath of Nostalgia

The marquee sign for Overlook Drive-In Theatre. Credit: Will Haydon '25

In 1955, Sidney and Ida Cohen opened the Overlook Drive-in Theatre, and it would go on to become a staple of Hudson Valley nightlife. Today, it still runs, offering movies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. I spent my Saturday night at the drive-in, experiencing a nostalgia-filled night and a very good movie. 

The lot was built to fit at least 750 cars; there were about 100 there. The screen was enormous and well-placed; it was visible from anywhere in the parking area. By the time I was parked and situated, there were people already camped out on the lawn, on the hoods of their cars or like me, curled up inside with a blanket. It was a popular place for kids, with several of them running around and chasing each other. 

The screen turned on and my first reaction was: “Wow, I haven’t heard this music in a decade.” The theatre uses the same old-timey music and animations as the drive-in I used to go to when I was a kid. It was a blast from the past.

Incidentally, the movie I saw was DreamWorks’ new film, “The Wild Robot.” I highly recommend it — it’s a great story about motherhood, nature versus nurture and giant killer robots. 

In regards to the movie itself, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sound. I drive a 2012 Kia Soul, and while it’s not an old car, it’s not state-of-the-art. I’ve never had any complaints with its speakers, but I wasn’t sure if they would be able to support the same caliber of sound that you hear in normal theatres. My fears were unfounded, however, as the sound quality was crisp and clear — a completely uninterrupted transmission. The video quality was exceptional, and even though some people in the back of the park would turn their headlights on occasionally, not once did I struggle to see what was on the screen. 

In terms of options, the theatre offers two different movies every week, usually presented as a double feature. The first movie is typically a family-friendly movie, and the second is usually more adult-oriented. 

The drive-in did not lack in amenities, boasting an impressive snack bar serving most of the items found at a typical movie theatre, like candy, soda and popcorn. More importantly, it also had a functioning kitchen that offered traditional food like hot dogs and hamburgers and more “snacky” food, like fried dough or soft pretzels. 

The prices were about what you’d expect — outrageous for anywhere other than a movie theatre. I got a pretzel and a large soda, costing me $11 — pretty average, as movie theatres go. The ticket was only $15, which was very cheap, considering it was technically for two movies. However, that is per person, not per car. 

Overall, I was very impressed with my experience, and I would go again. Drive-ins are hard to experience with a lot of people, just due to the limits of a car. But for one or two friends, I would highly recommend the experience.