12 Drive-in Theater Snacks From the ’70s That Have All but Disappeared
Drive-in theaters reached their height as community gathering spaces under the stars where snacks were essential, with nearly 4,500 drive-ins across the nation accounting for 25% of movie ticket sales during the 1950s. These theaters achieved success by combining cinematic escapism with nostalgic feelings and enticing food options. The popularity of these theaters stemmed from their combination of movie-driven escapism, nostalgic elements, and delicious snacks.
According to food historian Dr. Emily Contois, 70s snacking represented “performative, colorful, and pop culture connected” expressions that have largely disappeared from modern times. We long to see 12 iconic drive-in theater snacks from the 70s return to their former glory.
Screaming Yellow Zonkers
Screaming Yellow Zonkers, launched by Lincoln Snacks in 1968, transcended their snack food origins to gain wider recognition. The bright yellow caramel popcorn inside black boxes with jokes and fun facts gave this treat a toy-like appeal.
The 1970s turned Screaming Yellow Zonkers into a cult favorite, which drive-in moviegoers frequently enjoyed across the nation. Screaming Yellow Zonkers went out of production when Conagra acquired Lincoln Foods in 2007, yet returned briefly in 2012 for nostalgic reasons. Vintage boxes of this product are currently sold for $30–$50 on collector sites, which shows their lasting appeal and unique charm.
Marathon Bar
The Marathon Bar served as the ultimate snack option for drive-in movie patrons. Mars introduced this 8-inch braided caramel milk chocolate bar in 1973, which came with the slogan “It lasts a good long time!” as a perfect treat for moviegoers to enjoy during a double feature.
The product stopped production in 1981 due to its high production costs, combined with declining consumer interest. The UK’s Curly Wurly resembles this treat but remains different. Nostalgic candy fans are excited by rumors of its return, but currently, it remains a fond memory as the landmark drive-in treat of the 1970s.
Astro Pops
The tri-colored lollipop, Astro Pops, was invented by rocket scientists in 1963 and became an iconic candy during the 1970s space race period, when anything space-themed captured people’s interest. The slow-melting, rocket-shaped design of the product made it perfect for enjoying throughout a two-hour drive-in movie.
Although they ceased production in 2004, Astro Pops returned to the market for a short period in 2010. The nostalgia for these sweet spacecraft remained genuine, but they never fully regained their former popularity. Who would refuse to remember the time when candy represented an adventurous experience?
Pizza Spins
Nabisco satisfied pizza cravings with Pizza Spins before microwavable pizza snacks existed. Pizza Spins, which featured tomato and cheese flavors, first appeared in grocery stores in 1968 and were sold as baked snacks rather than traditional fried chips.
Pizza Spins established itself as an essential offering at drive-in snack stands, which catered to patrons with strong flavor preferences. Pizza Spins experienced poor sales, flavor confusion, and packaging problems that forced them to return to the kitchen during the late 1970s. Fans who remained loyal to Pizza Spins fondly recall their quest for the combination of pizza flavors in chip form.
Koogle Flavored Peanut Butter
Kraft introduced Koogle in 1971 as a fun peanut butter spread offering unusual flavors, including banana, chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla. Initially targeted at children, Koogle found success as an entertainment experience snack usually eaten with crackers or sandwiches at family movie nights.
The snack lost its market appeal and vanished from store shelves by the decade’s end, despite its exciting flavors and memorable mascot, due to reduced sales. The fondness for the product persisted, as evidenced by more than 5,000 people who signed a Change.org petition calling for its return.
Slush Puppie
Will Radcliff created Slush Puppies in 1970, and they soon became essential at drive-in theaters, particularly in hot areas. On hot summer nights, people enjoyed Slush Puppies for their bold blue raspberry flavor and granular ice texture that provided intense refreshment.
The presence of Slush Puppie machines continues, but theaters now serve ICEEs and other frozen drinks as their main offerings. The Slush Puppie drink delivered an unforgettable cooling sweetness experience whenever moviegoers enjoyed it during intermission.
Jiffy Pop
Popcorn stands as the top choice for movie snacks, while Jiffy Pop serves as its glamorous retro rockstar relative. Since its 1959 introduction as “the magic treat,” Jiffy Pop gained significant popularity during the 1970s when it became a beloved snack across all drive-in theaters.
The use of portable burners made Jiffy Pop a dynamic popcorn spectacle where the aluminum dome inflated like a miniature foil theater in action. The rise of microwave technology during the 1980s overshadowed Jiffy Pop, leading to its decline from mainstream snacking fame. Jiffy Pop remains available to add vintage charm to your next film-watching session.
Reggie Bar
The Reggie Bar debuted in 1978 as a tribute to Reggie Jackson, featuring a hockey puck-shaped combination of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. The debut of the Reggie Bar occurred during Jackson’s legendary World Series performance, which led to its immediate success. During games, players received them when enthusiastic fans threw them onto the field.
The product was discontinued in the early 1980s due to insufficient sales figures. Despite a fleeting comeback attempt in 1993 that failed to sustain it indefinitely, the product enjoyed legendary popularity during the 1970s drive-in era.
Magic Middle Cookies
During the late 1970s, Keebler brought Magic Middle Cookies to select drive-in locations. Magic Middle Cookies featured a soft-baked cookie that enclosed a gooey fudge center, creating a delicious combination of crispy and chewy textures in each bite.
The cookies went global in 1989, but rising ingredient costs led to their discontinuation in 2011. Dedicated fans continue to request the comeback of Magic Middle Cookies because they regard these cookies as sheer magic.
Fruit Brute Cereal Bars
General Mills created Fruit Brute cereal bars as ideal drive-in snacks before breakfast moved to morning hours. General Mills released the bars in 1974, showcasing a fruity cereal packed with marshmallow pieces and led by a charismatic werewolf mascot.
The cereal experienced some revivals, yet the bars persist as memorabilia from the past.
Munchos
Munchos debuted from Frito-Lay in 1969 and gained favor as a type of puffed potato chip distinguished by its light and airy crunch. The snacks achieved popularity at drive-ins since they maintained their crispiness through humid summer nights, unlike standard potato chips.
The cereal has made occasional comebacks, but the bars still stand as an eerily delightful memory from past snack times.
Fizzies
The drink experience transformed into an interactive activity when Fizzie’s bubbled tablets changed water into soda. Fizzies first appeared on the market during the 1950s but gained popularity in the 1970s after being reformulated to eliminate cyclamates.
The pop culture trend of DIY drink-making allowed Fizzies to gain novelty status at drive-in theaters. The combination of reduced consumer interest and concerns about sugar substitutes led to the discontinuation of Fizzies.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
You Might Also Like:
How To Stick To Your Holiday Budget and Avoid Debt: With the holiday season in full swing, many face high expenses. The anticipation of gift-giving, coupled with the desire to create unforgettable moments, often leads to the common tradition of seasonal spending, with the average holiday budget reaching a considerable sum.
