Skyview Drive-In lands more national kudos (+ has ‘the best popcorn around’)
Belleville’s Skyview Drive-In was recently named the No. 5 best drive-in theater in the U.S. in the USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Skyview took the No. 1 spot in the readers’ choice awards in 2024 and in 2025, but owner Steve Bloomer told the News-Democrat it was nice to see the oldest operating drive-in theater in the nation, Shankweiler’s, win this year.
“There’s about 275 drive-ins left in the country,” Bloomer said. “There are a few of them that are older than Skyview, we’re in our 77th year. But what might be unique is that we might be the oldest one with the same family owning it and running it.”
Bloomer’s grandfather and his grandfather’s two brothers built Skyview in about three months, he said, from dropping dynamite down the mine shafts underneath the theater site to constructing the screen, parking area and concessions stand.
Bloomer said he encourages Belleville residents to support the drive-in as there are so few still operating nationwide.
What to love about Skyview Drive-In
One of the features that sets apart Skyview from indoor movie theaters is the ability to socialize, Bloomer said.
“The kids can play on the playground, you can socialize with the people that are sitting next to you when the weather’s nice,” Bloomer said.
Most people bring lawn chairs and portable FM radios and sit out in front of their cars, he added.
Affordability is also a major draw to the drive-in, particularly for families with children.
“If you’ve got a family of two kids to come out to the drive-in, it’s a lot cheaper than going to any indoor theater,” Bloomer said.
The Skyview box office is cash-only (although the concession stand accepts credit cards), and an adult ticket will run you $13. One child age 12 or younger can get in free per each adult ticket purchased, and additional children’s tickets are $3.
Concession stand options include hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, French fries, nachos, pickles, pretzels, candy, soda, lemonade and more.
“We have the best popcorn around,” Bloomer said.
Upcoming films Skyview will show include Toy Story 5, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Supergirl and more.
Top 10 best drive-in theaters
Here are the 10 best drive-in movie theaters in the nation, according to the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards:
1. Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre (Orefield, Pa.)
2. Dependable Drive-In (Moon Township, Pa.)
3. Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre (Gibson City, Ill.)
4. Bengies Drive-In Theatre (Middle River, Md.)
5. Skyview Drive-In (Belleville, Ill.)
6. The Mahoning Drive-In Theatre (Lehighton, Pa.)
7. Admiral Twin Drive-In (Tulsa, Okla.)
8. Pink Cadillac Drive-In Theater (Centerville, Tenn.)
9. Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre (New Braunfels, Texas)
10. Evergreen Drive-In Theatre (Mount Pleasant, Pa.)
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