Just allow that headline to sink in — Walmart is partnering with Tribeca Enterprises to make … pop-up drive-in theaters. And where else? Their colossal cement slabs known as parking lots.
You’ve been to Walmart during Black Friday or anytime during the holidays. The parking lots look like gridlock traffic in the middle of Manhattan. Square miles of concrete slab doing nothing but taking up space because Walmart — like everywhere else — closes early due to COVID-19.
So, someone had a great idea: People miss the movies. You have miles of pavement. Let’s put up a screen. And, they did!
This year has been the most insane 365 days on record — and we’re only halfway done! What in the actual eff is going on here? The global captain of capitalism is partnering with one of the most respected indie filmmakers to bring the cinematic experience back to people who desperately need a relief.
This is The Walmart Way
Any way in the world to make a buck, you better believe Northwest Arkansas’ own utopia will find it. Here’s one other and how no one in the cosmos didn’t think of this before is beyond me. And why? Money… eh, sorry, family. Yeah, that’s it…family.
Summer hasn’t really felt like summer yet, and I know I hear every day, ‘Mom, I’m bored!’… Through our digital means and vast footprint of stores, we’re hoping to bring some summer fun to families across the country. We know Walmart plays a role in our communities that extends far beyond getting them necessary supplies, and we see that now more than ever.
Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart
The plan is for the Walmart drive-in parking lot experience to run from August to October, with plans to offer 320 screenings of family-friendly films across 160 parking lots throughout the United States. Movies featured will be from — you guessed it — Tribeca Enterprises.
According to the official press release from Walmart and Tribeca, this drive-in theater parking lot lollapalooza will bring “hit movies, special appearances from filmmakers and celebrities and concessions delivered right to customer vehicles.”
Drive-Ins have been a signature program for Tribeca since we started the Tribeca Film Festival 19 years ago after 9/11. But now, the Tribeca Drive-In is much more than a fun, retro way to see movies — it’s one of the safest ways for communities to gather. We are thrilled to partner with Walmart to bring more people together around the shared cinematic experiences that Tribeca is known for.
Jane Rosenthal, CEO and Co-Founder of Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival.
Throughout July, families in Arlington, Texas, Pasadena, California, Nassau County, New York and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York will be treated to Tribeca Drive-In screenings of modern classics and family favorites, like Wonder Woman and Space Jam, with a mix of ticketed and free events honoring frontline workers.
The full schedule and tickets can be found at TribecaFilm.com or walmartdrive-in.com. See you in the express lane…eh, at the movies.
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