Bengie's Drive-In Theatre

Bengie's Drive-In Theatre is a drive-in cinema in Middle River near Baltimore with a massive projection screen measuring 52 feet (16 meters) high and 120 feet (37 meters) wide. It holds the title of largest movie screen in the United States, allowing numerous vehicles to watch films simultaneously from their cars.

The Frog Mortar Corporation opened this drive-in theater on June 6, 1956, under the architectural direction of Jack K. Vogel. This marked the beginning of its long history of outdoor film entertainment in the region.

The theater plays the National Anthem before each showing and displays intermission clips, classic cartoons, and old movie trailers. These traditions create a nostalgic experience that takes visitors back to an earlier era of cinema entertainment.

The theater provides electric in-car heaters during colder months, allowing screenings to run from spring through fall regardless of temperature. Visitors should arrive before the films start to secure a good spot with a clear view of the screen.

The theater's name comes from the surrounding Bengies community, which was named after President Benjamin Harrison, whose nickname was Bengie. This connects the cinema to a minor historical figure through the area's naming history.

Inception: June 6, 1956

Official opening: 1956

Website: https://bengies.com

GPS coordinates: 39.33600,-76.40380

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00