Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

American Drive-in

Original title: American Drive-In
  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
279
YOUR RATING
American Drive-in (1985)
Comedy

The goings-on at a typical drive-in on a summer night.The goings-on at a typical drive-in on a summer night.The goings-on at a typical drive-in on a summer night.

  • Director
    • Krishna Shah
  • Writers
    • Krishna Shah
    • David Allen Ball
  • Stars
    • Emily Longstreth
    • Patrick Kirton
    • Rhonda Selesnow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.6/10
    279
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Krishna Shah
    • Writers
      • Krishna Shah
      • David Allen Ball
    • Stars
      • Emily Longstreth
      • Patrick Kirton
      • Rhonda Selesnow
    • 11User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast54

    Edit
    Emily Longstreth
    Emily Longstreth
    • Bobbie Ann
    Patrick Kirton
    Patrick Kirton
    • Jack
    • (as Pat Kirton)
    Rhonda Selesnow
    • Deena
    • (as Rhonda Snow)
    Joel Bennett
    Joel Bennett
    • Sarge
    John Rice
    John Rice
    • Councilman Winston
    Allison Heath
    • Margie
    Mika
    • Phyllis
    Kevin Miller
    • Gerald
    Bernard White
    Bernard White
    • Lou
    • (as Bernie White)
    Larry Cortinas
    • Rich
    Flip Kobler
    Flip Kobler
    • Mike
    K.C. Hackman
    • Robby
    Danny Nucci
    Danny Nucci
    • Tommy
    Misty Hall
    • Lynda
    Buck Carter
    • Rusty
    Tsutomu Carton
    • Henry
    David Donham
    • Bennie
    Joseph Miletti
    • Allen
    • Director
      • Krishna Shah
    • Writers
      • Krishna Shah
      • David Allen Ball
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    4.6279
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9deaddeerguts

    trash can satire with a kickin' soundtrack!

    this movie combines social satire with deep philosophical questions under the lens of the drive-in theater. characters are niched, with each car having its own perspective on the movie and the culture of the drive-in. the only thing that's lacking is the horror aspect, with most of the 'horror' happening on the big screen. the hooligans are the perfect slap-stick villains, while little old ladies just want to know what's going on. the 'attempted rape' that seems to have bothered others is over-the-top and completely satirical. all in all, American Drive-in is perfect for any fan of Hard Rock Zombies. Sabu lends him musical genius to this film as well (even though most of the songs are already in Hard ock Zombies).
    2KDWms

    this reminds me of baby poultry: cheap; cheap; cheap

    One of those films where nobody got paid much (if anything) for contributing to it. Therefore, YOU shouldn't pay much to see it (in terms of time AND money). Cheap actors; cheap sound and lighting; cheap location. Cheap; cheap; cheap. There IS depth to the cross-section of society which patronized drive-ins, which this movie attempts to convey. At the top of the list are those whose hormones need satisfying: horny guys; nympho gals (including a whore); intimidating losers in a gang; even a middle-aged all-MALE couple. Then there's the all-American couple; the scholarly couple; a couple of old ladies; the ambitious politico and his kids; and the fat family. But wait - there's more: among others, we meet the guy who's seen the flick so many times that he knows the dialogue; then there are the three mischievous pre-teens on bicycles; the geek who messes with the lot's sound system; the voyeuristic old guy; and the booze-guzzling projectionist. My final mention will be of the dwarf who appeared in the picture being shown at the drive-in, which is why I didn't mark this as low as I could have: I'm reserving THAT grade for what was on the bill. It's a real title, and, if I ever see it, believe it or not, it might be worse than American Drive-in.
    7james362001

    Danny Nucci said about this film, "...if it ever sees the light of day, I'll kill myself".

    Danny Nucci said recently of this film, "...if it ever sees the light of day. I'll kill myself". Danny Nucci was replying to a question sent to him during the Yahoo Chat Event he participated in on March 7, 2001 at 3:oopm Eastern. He was asked by sensuaz28, "What was your first movie you were in? Nucci replied, "The first film was called "A Night At The Drive-In". "It's a mock horror movie that if it ever sees the light of day, I'll kill myself". Well I was able to purchase a used VHS version of this video through a service of Amazon.com. The title of this film actually is "American Drive-In". There is alot of sexual content in this film and it is not for children to see. Why doesn't Danny Nucci want anyone to see this film (if that is what he is implying)? He was very young! He's the young boy riding the bicycle. I would call this a good, silly, low-budget insomniac film. It might even make you miss this those good 'ol days of going to a drive-in movie.
    1bajazza

    View at your own risk

    Plan 9 From Outer Space-without a doubt the worst movie of our time...until now! American Drive In steals that distinction from Ed Wood. this film-no, let's call this one a movie-cannot be surpassed in bad taste, bad acting, bad writing, bad sets,bad...well, I think you get the idea. Its just a terrible mix of '80s big hair, too much testosterone and crappy cars. That's about it.It even makes the 1976 version of Drive-In seem like Citizen Kane. Don't waste your time on this one. As it is, I plan to sue the producers of this abomination to get compensation for the last 78 minutes of my life back. After watching this, I somehow feel much dumber..view at your own risk!
    1moviereps

    Nostalgia for lost things

    American Drive-In brings back memories. Memories of the Drive-In (a slowly dying American Institution) and of silly, sexy Eighties flicks. The story is simple: a diverse bunch of lunatics descend of the Drive-In one night. There is the beautiful blonde, the beautiful brunette, the hunky (but slow) good guy, the sleazy gang leader, the sexually frustrated babe, the heart of gold dominatrix, and a midget. The prerequisite amount of sex is on display, combined with chase sequences, and car explosions. The plot hangs together, but that isn't the reason to check this flick out. Check it out because it is entertaining and it reminds us what films became at the dawn of an era when VHS and Cable pushed out our beloved Drive Ins.

    More like this

    Hard Rock Zombies
    4.4
    Hard Rock Zombies
    Star Crystal
    3.5
    Star Crystal
    Modern Girls
    5.8
    Modern Girls
    Breaking All the Rules
    5.6
    Breaking All the Rules
    Cinema Cinema
    6.9
    Cinema Cinema
    Gimme an 'F'
    4.0
    Gimme an 'F'
    Summer Job
    4.4
    Summer Job
    Lauderdale
    3.8
    Lauderdale
    Hot Moves
    4.8
    Hot Moves
    Beach Balls
    4.4
    Beach Balls
    Body Waves
    3.5
    Body Waves
    The River Niger
    6.0
    The River Niger

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film playing at the drive in, Hard Rock Zombies, was intended to be only a few minutes of footage for use as the film-within-a-film. The filmmakers were having so much fun making it that they completed it and released it as a stand alone film.
    • Quotes

      Mike: You pooed on me and I like it!

    • Connections
      Features Hard Rock Zombies (1984)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1985 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nichts als Sex und Chaos
    • Filming locations
      • Sky Drive-In Theatre, Yucca Valley, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Double Helix Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32m(92 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.