30 Over 30: The Tibbs Drive-in time machine
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It's still showtime on the west side. Photo: Courtesy of Ashley M. Mack
Welcome back to Axios Indianapolis' "30 Over 30," a series celebrating the icons that have shaped our city for 30 years or more.
After nearly six decades, Tibbs Drive-in stands on the west side as Indy's last drive-in theater and perhaps the city's most effective time machine.
Why it matters: Affordable family fun in this economy?! Unheard of.
- Despite ownership changes and facility upgrades, Tibbs has stayed true to its mission of delivering big-screen thrills and powerful nostalgia without breaking the bank.
Flashback: United Artists Theatres opened Tibbs Drive-In on June 7, 1967, as a single-screen theater with a double feature of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "The Fortune Cookie."
- Ed and Agnes Quilling bought it in 1995 and spent more than two decades keeping it going.
- In 2019, Marcella Snyder and Jon Parkin purchased the property from the Quillings. Snyder's first job as a teenager was in the Tibbs concession stand.
The latest: Tibbs opened its 2026 season in April at its original 24-acre home at 480 S. Tibbs Ave., which now spans four screens after additions in 1975 and 1999.
- This season, Screen 1 received a new laser projector — described by owners as the brightest outdoor projector in the state — with intentions to replace all four projectors.
- There are also plans for new box offices, parking, artwork, playgrounds and a walking path.
💭 Justin's thought bubble: It's been nearly a decade since I've been to Tibbs, and my last trip there was work-related.
- The drought was even longer for my wife, who hasn't been to any drive-in since catching the 1991 release of "Boyz n the Hood" at our now-demolished hometown theater in Cleveland.
Yes, but: Pulling into Tibbs last weekend for a Sunday night double feature of "Mortal Kombat II" and "One Spoon Of Chocolate" felt like driving directly into the early 90s.
- Or 60s. Or 70s. Or the 80s. Your flavor of nostalgia will be hard-coded to whatever era you spent hanging out in theater parking lots, waiting for the sun to go down before showtime.
- It's also a strong summertime value play for large families. I scored a slice of sausage pizza, nachos with jalapeños and a blueberry slushie for less than what other theaters charge for collectible popcorn tubs.
How it works: Friday-Sunday, each screen shows two movies, starting around 9pm and 11pm.
- When you arrive, park at your screen and tune your FM radio to a designated station to pick up movie audio.
- You can bring your own snacks and drinks. Lots of movie-goers kick back in lawn chairs during the show.
- Pets are welcome, too.
Plus: "Mortal Kombat II" was big, loud and dumb. Perfect drive-in material. 8 out of 10.
If you go: Gates open 7:30pm Friday and 8pm Sunday.
- Cars usually line up before the gate opens, so get there early to get a good spot.
- Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.