I’ve never empathized more with art teachers than in trying to choose a “best” drive-in theater here in the environs surrounding Nashville. No two drive-ins are the same — The Pink Cadillac way out Highway 100 has a magical timelessness to it that is absolutely appropriate for the longest-running drive-in in the area, the Montana in Woodbury delivers maximum variety with its three screens’ worth of cinema, and the Parkway all the way out in Maryville is perfect if you’ve got business or pleasure toward the Knoxville end of the state because it has the best kind of spooky energy when a fog bank rolls in. But if you’re looking for a sensible drive that encompasses interstate sprawl and atmospheric backroads with a drive-in experience that delivers fun vibes and maximum funnel-cake action, Watertown’s The Stardust is a delight that’s been keeping local moviegoers sane since the pandemic started.
