BRACKLEY, P.E.I. - As dusk falls over P.E.I.’s north shore, trunks open, lawn chairs unfold and moviegoers settle in for a double feature at the Brackley Drive-In. Outdoor movie theatres have become a rarity across Canada. Those that remain face rising costs and tighter budgets, while at-home streaming makes staying on the couch an easy alternative. Still, moviegoers are pulling into the lot for a night under the stars. “It’s fairly fun to just sit out here, relax as the night goes dark and watch a movie with cool people,” said Dmitrii Popkov, who was visiting from Ontario with his family. The summertime staple is one of roughly 40 left across the country, according to the online directory DriveInMovie.com, and the sole survivor on the Island. “It’s crazy how few there is,” said co-owner Marcie Boyle, who manages most of the day-to-day operations. The format saw an unexpected resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, as one of the few ways people could watch a movie together while keeping their distance. But that wasn’t the case in Brackley, where the business relies heavily on tourists. Attendance dipped after travel restrictions kept visitors away, but regulars helped keep it afloat. Boyle said the theatre is now doing “fairly good,” but getting people through the gate is only part of the equation. Moviegoers feel affordability pinch Movie studios take a share of every ticket sold, meaning admission alone doesn’t pay the bills. Most of the money the theatre keeps comes from the canteen, Boyle said, where popcorn, nachos, candy and cold drinks are sold. Many take advantage of a $35 date-night deal: two adult admissions, two drinks and a large popcorn to share. In their car, James Cushman and his wife were marking a special milestone. “We come often, kind of as a little date spot,” Cushman said. “It’s actually my one-year anniversary.” Despite a steady stream of customers, sales appear to be down slightly from last summer. “When they’re coming, the spend per person is going down because they just don’t have it,” Boyle said. Higher gas prices are another factor, from the trip there to running a vehicle for heat on colder nights, or air conditioning on warmer ones. “People are just feeling the pinch, like with groceries up and the rate of inflation,” she said. At the same time, operating expenses are climbing. Boyle said tariffs have increased what she pays for some imported products and payroll is another pressure. P.E.I.’s minimum wage rose to $17 an hour this spring and is scheduled to go up again in the fall. “It’s always a challenge to keep the price fair and make sure we don’t have to push it on our customers,” Boyle said. To draw more visitors, the owners have added overnight RV stays and a dog park. But nostalgia remains a huge part of the appeal. “Just going back to memories of when we were kids, people of my age anyway,” said Chris Woodcock, with a laugh. The experience is also finding new fans. “This is my first time, actually,” said Callum Wells, who was sitting with his brother in the back seat of their family’s car. “They’re authentic and they’re really cool,” said Alem Stokes. With longtime customers returning and newcomers arriving, the big screen at the Brackley Drive-In will keep glowing for the foreseeable future.
