1. Drive-in theaters
Indiana has the 4th most number of drive-ins among the 50 states. A simple Google search will give you a comprehensive list of all of the drive-ins in the state, but the nearest to the Marion area (where I’m writing from) would be the 13-24 Drive-In in Wabash and the Huntington Twin Drive-In. The 13-24 Drive-In has the largest vehicle capacity of any single screen drive-in in the state and only costs $5 for adults (kids 12 and under are free!). The one in Huntington has 2 screens and plays 2 movies on each screen for $8.50 ($4 for children 11 and under).
2. Dinner and a movie
If you’re one who enjoys dinner and a movie night out, some theaters have adapted so that you can do both in the same place! I’m not talking about ordering the flatbread pizzas and washing them down with pretzels and candy either. A select few theaters have opened in Indiana with the concept of you ordering and being served while in your seats in the theater. Flix Brewhouse in Carmel seems to have done this best, even having their own beers that they brew. Based on reviews on Yelp, it is best to avoid Studio Movie Grill in Indy due to poor service and dirty, worn theaters.
3. IMAX theaters
One of the best theater experiences is with IMAX theaters. If you’re going to see any animated movie or action movie, IMAX is the way to go if you really are looking forward to the movie. You get a huge screen and incredible sound to go with it. I don’t think every genre of movie is right for IMAX, and the close-up seats are not pleasant movie-going experiences, but the price bump is well worth it for seeing blockbuster movies on a grand scale. Muncie, Noblesville, Fort Wayne, and Indy all have IMAX theaters, so go for whatever one is nearest to you!
4. Dolby theater
Until recently I was not aware of Dolby theaters, but they are presented as a cinema experience that surpasses IMAX. The seats of a Dolby theater are leather and are remote-controlled to recline. The picture is just as clear as IMAX and the sound is even better because of the surround sound setup (speakers on the ceiling and behind you). The price is about the same as IMAX as well. Plainfield and Indy are the only 2 cities in the state where you can go watch a movie at a Dolby theater, but I recommend trying it out if you can.
5. Retro theaters
Indiana also has quite a few unique theaters from way back in the 1900’s that are still operating today. Many opened in the 1920’s and have needed to be remodeled or reopened after being closed since then, but they all have a fun charm to them. Many of them are just one or two screens, but the price is usually cheaper. Also, be aware that these types of theaters don’t always do shows every day, so it’s good to check their websites for details. Only in Your State has compiled a list of 7 good ones, so I’ll share a link to that here: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/indiana/7-incredible-theaters-indiana/
