A disappearing part of moviegoing's past remains a piece of the moviegoing present: the drive-in.

Over the past several years, people have rediscovered the magic of watching stars on the big screen under the stars – a great and unique experience no matter how the movie on screen turns out. And now that the weather's finally begun cooperating and big new blockbusters are beginning to come out, we can roll film on rolling out to the movies again in our sweet rides. 

Here are several Wisconsin drive-ins still keeping the glorious tradition of movie-going – both retro and current – alive and well. 

Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theater

N9199 Winnebago Rd, Wisconsin Dells (about an hour and 50 minutes from Milwaukee)
(608) 254-8025
bigskydrivein.com

Check out the big screens at the Big Sky in Wisconsin Dells, featuring two full-sized outdoor screens playing two-for-one first-run feature films nightly. (This weekend features two twin-spins, one kid-friendly combo with "Barbie" and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" as well as killer combo of the new superhero movie "Blue Beetle" and "Meg 2: The Trench.") The drive-in opens at 7:30 p.m. all week long, with the first movie starting at dusk – and even pets are allowed to enjoy the show (if they're well-behaved; turn off your cell phones, pups). Audio comes through the FM radio, and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 11 years old – but make sure to bring cash because the Big Sky does not take credit/debit cards. And make sure to leave some room for snacking, because the concession stand proudly touts the famous Big Mamaburger on the menu.

Chilton Twilight Outdoor Theater

1255 E. Chestnut St., Chilton (about an hour and 30 minutes from Milwaukee)
(920) 849-9565
getreelcinemas.com/chilton-drive-in/

Generally open for double features when the weather allows on Fridays and Saturdays, the single-screen Chilton Twilight Outdoor Theater is one of the youngest breed of this old-fashioned way of moviegoing, just opened in 2012. Plus, for your pre-show entertainment, there's a new game area featuring lawn dice, cornhole, ping pong and more. The Chilton Twilight opened back up for the season and is back up and running with the animated action of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" on Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children, and gates typically open at 7 p.m., with the first show starting around 8:30 p.m.

Field of Scenes Outdoor Theater

N3712 WI-55, Freedom (about two hours from Milwaukee)
(920) 489-3600
fieldofscenes.biz

Built in 2003, Field of Scenes is also one of the younger drive-ins still surviving in Wisconsin, but what it may lack in history, it more than makes up for in quality (and in quality puns, judging by its name). This one-screen drive-in offers double features Thursdays through Saturdays at $8 for adults and $4 for children 11 and younger on a first come, first served basis, with the gates opening at 7:30 p.m. The drive-in also comes complete with two playgrounds, a basketball court and a volleyball court to keep the kids occupied before the opening credits start to roll. Field of Scenes opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend and is now scheduled to show a Warner Bros. bundle featuring "Barbie" and "The Meg 2: The Trench" – which they'll run through Aug. 19. 

Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre

W6423 US-18, Jefferson (about 50 minutes from Milwaukee)
(920) 674-6700
highway18.com

If you live in Milwaukee, this one-screen drive-in is probably your best bet for catching an outdoor blockbuster. Located west of Jefferson about 50 minutes outside of Milwaukee, the state's first digital drive-in theater offers two-for-one movie nights for $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-11 and $8 for seniors (65-99) and active duty military personnel. The box office opens at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, pets are allowed, the audio comes through either old-school speakers or an FM station, and there's even a playground for some pre-show entertainment for the kids. Just follow the retro neon sign on your way, and you'll find an equally delightful old-school time at the movies – currently playing the surprise mega-smash hit of the summer, "Oppenheimer."

The Milky Way Drive-In

7900 Crystal Ridge Rd., Franklin
(414) 529-7676
milkywaydrivein.com

Who needs baseball when you've got the big screen? OK, so, baseball IS back now in Franklin – but now you've got both! Running through the summer in the parking lot of the Milwaukee Milkmen's stadium in Franklin, this drive-in hotspot costs $35 per vehicle per movie (with the occasional double feature) with an impressive lineup of on-screen action for 2023, including "Top Gun: Maverick," "Deadpool," "The Princess Bride" and more. (For all the latest bookings, check the Milky Way's website.) Food will be delivered carhop-style from both food trucks and the ballpark's concession stands; the audio will stream in via FM station or a streaming app; and shows will run most weekends throughout the summer so you can always find an out-of-this-world movie experience within your galaxy.

Moonlight Outdoor Theater

1494 E. Green Bay St., Shawano (about two hours and 15 minutes from Milwaukee)
(715) 524-3636
shawanocinema.com

This location offers the choice between a classic indoor movie screening in one of its several auditoriums or an retro-cool drive-in viewing at the outdoor screen. But come on: Who wouldn't pick the unique majesty of watching a movie on a giant screen under the gorgeous night sky? The Moonlight Outdoor Theater is currently up and running this summer with the raunchy comedy combo of "Strays" and "No Hard Feelings" showing under the sky around 8:10 p.m.

Sky Vu Drive In Movie Theater

N1936 WI-69, Monroe (about two hours from Milwaukee)
(608) 325-4545
goetzskyvu.com

This Monroe entertainment spot has been "where the stars come to play at night" for more than 65 years, but with the pandemic, it was uncertain if the Sky Vu Drive In was going to see the anniversaries beyond. Thankfully, like the rest of the state's drive-ins, the Sky Vu – built in 1954 and gone fully digital in 2012 – is gearing up for its latest season complete with a tasty concession stand, clear digital audio over the FM dial, a giant screen and a ceiling of the stars. Just make sure you bring cash because the Sky Vu doesn't take card – and unfortunately, your furry four-legged film lovers will have to hear about the experience when you get home, since they're not allowed. The Sky Vu is back open for weekends during the summer season, with "Oppenheimer" currently showing.

Skyway Drive-In Theater

3475 State Highway 42, Fish Creek (about three hours from Milwaukee)
(920) 854-9938
doorcountydrivein.com

On the hunt for a drive-in around Door County? Look no further than the Skyway, one of the oldest remaining drive-ins in Wisconsin, opening all the way back in 1950. It's a classic – but it's stayed classy as well, still providing a quality and well-kept experience for young and old (and well-behaved pets!) thanks to a solid screen, good audio – car-speaker access for the first few rows, over FM radio for the rest – and tasty treats. Tickets for a twofer are $10 for those 12 and older, and $6 for kids aged 5-11, and though the drive-in is cash only, thankfully there is an ATM for those who forget. The Skyway yelled "Action!" on the summer drive-in season in May, currently showing the beach-happy bundle of "Barbie" and "Meg 2: The Trench" nightly starting at 8 p.m.

Stardust Drive In Movie Theater

995 22nd St., Chetek (about four hours from Milwaukee)
(715) 458-4587
stardustdriveinmovie.com

The Stardust two-screen drive-in in Chetek wasted no time at all opening back up, with two double features running through Friday, Saturday and Sunday (a kid-friendly combo of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Haunted Mansion" on one, the Warner Bros. batch of "Barbie" and "The Meg 2: The Trench" on the other). The gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the first show and FM audio typically pressing play around 9 p.m. this weekend. Tickets cost $8.50 for adults (13 and older) and $6.50 for children (ages 3-12). Speaking of kids, normally there's a playground and even a train ride for children needing amusement before the featured presentation hits the big screen. With all that fun both on screen and off, there's nothing dusty about the Stardust.

Starlite 14 Drive-In

US Hwy 14 E, Richland Center (about two and a half hours from Milwaukee)
(608) 647-3669
richlandmovies.com

Thanks to new ownership, the Starlite 14 Drive-In – a movie-going tradition in the area for well over half a century – shines bright once again, bringing in popular big-screen hits as well as community acts. Tickets – $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-13 – are sold at the gate, with crowds beginning to gather on Friday and Saturday nights around 8:30 p.m. and no carry-ins allowed. This weekend's bookings at the Starlite? A night of Warner Bros. blockbusters with "Barbie" and "Blue Beetle" on the big screen.

BONUS: The McHenry Outdoor

1510 N. Chapel Hill Rd., McHenry, IL (about an hour and 15 minutes from Milwaukee)
(847) 362-3011
goldenagecinemas.com

I know, many of the above options can seem like quite a trek. In fact, one of the closest options for many Wisconsinites is actually in a completely different state altogether. The McHenry Outdoor Theater in McHenry, Illinois, is just over an hour away – and now open daily, currently showing a John Hughes throwback combo of "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles" beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets – sold on a first come, first served basis – are $14 for adults and $8 for children and seniors/military. The concession stand and box office accept credit cards, and there's even a smart tiered parking system for big cars and small cars so all can see the screen as best as possible. Add that all up, and this retro cinema classic, built back in 1951, might be your best bet for a big screen visit – if you're willing to risk venturing into Chicago Bears territory.