Today in 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened, cementing our love of cars and entertainment together. While home theater manufacturers have tried to create the ultimate movie experience, they can’t hold a candle to a giant screen, those goofy hanging speakers and the conflicting sense of community and delightful “alone time” we enjoyed during the heydays of drive-ins. The drive-in was also a great spot to watch the geekiest of movies, including B-grade sci-fi and horror. If you’re too young to have watched a great space alien movie while occasionally glancing up at the stars, then you’re missing something vital from your movie education.

Although the big business days have come and gone since that first drive-in in New Jersey, drive-ins continue to pop up through the years. There’s a grassroots trend now for drive-ins based on the ‘flashmob’ concept of everyone just showing up to put on a screening.

Celebrate today by seeking out a drive-in if you can, or just reliving the magic through Google’s awesome Doodle today.Tweet