The first drive-in cinema in Aljada, Sharjah.

Aisha Hamad AlMidfa

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entertainment industry in various ways; one particular change is the rise of a historical interplay, drive-in theatre, in this day and age.

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The first-ever drive-in theatre to open was in 1933 in Crescent Boulevard in Camden, New Jersey.

However, this historical concept has reemerged in a contemporary context whereby drive-in cinemas are all the rage right now. 

In the UAE a couple of locations have taken the liberty to provide the cinema experience in a new light.

 People sit in their cars as they watch a movie in a drive-in cinema at a park, in Lebanon's northern coastal city of Byblos. File/AFP

In Sharjah, the first drive-in cinema debuted on July 1 in Aljada by Arada, which recently opened in February this year as an entertainment destination. The location is encompassed of a drive-thru and seated food district, a children’s play zone, a skatepark, event halls, an amphitheatre, and a Discovery Centre.

Aljada is offering movies at 8 pm for free on a first-come, first-served basis. The drive-in cinema can hold up to 150 vehicles per night, allocated right across the food trucks. Moviegoers will be able to access the sound of the movie via the FM radio of their cars.

Additionally, the movie schedule can be accessed on Aljada’s website, Instagram, and Facebook.

The movie schedule for this week:

19 Jul 2020 – Mother of the Bride

20 Jul 2020 – School of Rock

21 Jul 2020 – The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

22 Jul 2020 – Aladdin

23 Jul 2020 – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Aisha is an intern with Gulf Today. She covers the Emirati community, culture, and food.