Galaxy Drive-In Theatre

Construction on the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre began in 2003 beside Interstate 45 at exit 255, about three miles north of Ennis in the community of Garrett and a little more than 20 miles south of the I-20 and I-45 interchange in Dallas. It opened on December 17, 2004, with three screens.

The Galaxy kept adding screens. Cinema Treasures records a fourth in 2007, a fifth in May 2011, a sixth in 2012 and a seventh by 2016, then an eighth on October 7, 2022, and a ninth on March 16, 2023. It lists room for about 800 cars. Along the way the drive-in went from one snack bar to two and converted from film to all-digital projection, with DTS digital sound broadcast over FM radio to car stereos and portable radios.

By 2011 the Galaxy was already running digital projection, including 3D on two screens, while many drive-ins were still deciding whether they could afford to convert. That November it hosted the first annual DITA meeting, a gathering of drive-in operators held at the Galaxy and at a Sysco facility in Lewisville. Cinema Treasures' announcement promised roundtables led by operators who had already converted at least one screen, covering equipment, service contracts, financing and booking, and a tour of the Galaxy with its hosts, Martin and Marsha Murray.

The Galaxy is open every night of the year, holidays included, and keeps running in the rain unless wind or lightning makes it unsafe. The box office opens at 6 p.m. Tickets are sold per person, $8 for ages 12 and up and $4 for children; the theater says it has never offered carload pricing because of film licensing terms, and a ticket is good for one screen. Outside food is not allowed. The FAQ explains that a large share of ticket money goes back to the film distributors and that the snack bar is what keeps the drive-in open: "we are basically a restaurant that shows movies."