Drive-ins / Harper Woods
East Side Drive-In
Closed – archive entry · 1938–1977
Where the drive-in era started around Detroit: the area's first one opened on Harper Avenue in 1938, simply called the Drive-In, with room for 675 cars.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1938
- Closed
- 1977
- Seats
- 675 cars at opening (970 later)
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Detroit area's first drive-in opened on Harper Avenue on May 26, 1938, simply as the Drive-In. The opening bill was W.C. Fields in The Big Broadcast of 1938, with room for 675 cars. Renamed the East Side Drive-In, it was run for years by General Cinema Corporation and later by Wisper & Wetsman, growing to 970 cars. Its sister was the Westside Drive-In on Eight Mile. By the 1970s it was showing adult films; it closed around 1977 and was demolished the following year.
- The Detroit area's first drive-in
- Opened with The Big Broadcast of 1938
- Started with 675 cars, grew to 970
Plan your visit
The East Side Drive-In closed around 1977 and was torn down the next year, so there's nothing left on Harper Avenue. For a movie, pick one of the open cinemas in our guide.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Multiplexes / Canton
Emagine Canton
A 19-screen first-run multiplex on Ford Road in Canton, run by Michigan-owned Emagine: EMX and Super EMX premium screens with Dolby Atmos, cuddle chairs and a bar. Tickets are $5 on Tuesdays.
Multiplexes / Hartland
Emagine Hartland
A 10-screen first-run cinema on Hartland Road in Livingston County: an EMX premium room with laser projection and Dolby Atmos, heated recliners, a small screening room and a lobby lounge. Tickets are $5 on Tuesdays.
Multiplexes / Macomb Township
Emagine Macomb
A 9-screen, 1,171-seat first-run cinema on 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township, built inside a former Kroger. Every seat is a reserved leather recliner, the biggest room is an EMX with Dolby Atmos, and there's a full bar in the lobby.