Joy Drive-In
33RF+RQ,
Copperas Cove,
TX
76522
33RF+RQ,
Copperas Cove,
TX
76522
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This Joy Drive-in was originally located at 1214 E. Highway 190, opening by 1955. The Joy Drive-In was opened at its new address by the mid-1970’s. It was closed in the mid-1980’s. Capacity was 250 cars.
It was reopened by new owners in early-2026 and they have refurbished the screen and installed new digital cinema equipment. Most of the drive-in field has been converted into RV spaces, but there are still spaces for outside guests to attend regular screenings.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Looks like the tower and concession/booth/house is still there as seen on Google. (Jan 7 ‘14) https://www.google.com/maps?ll=31.090613,-97.921633&spn=0.001845,0.001725&t=h&z=19
Above location photo in this neighborhood is north of the area where the theater was. This is the entrance to the drive in. You can see the old marquee in the distance. https://www.google.com/maps?ll=31.092445,-97.925922&spn=0.00369,0.003449&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=31.092445,-97.925922&panoid=LqWpqbteSj6CnfJO9nu2Uw&cbp=12,121.7,,0,7.84
The Joy RV Park was built on the old drive in property in 2024.
The Joy was actually closed in the early-1970s and was demolished in the late-1970s.
A closer address is 33RF+RQ, Copperas Cove, TX.
This puts it right next to the entrance road, which is now Renee Street.
The old marquee is still there, but not in very good shape.
https://tinyurl.com/3ufxt695
There is a very strong chance that there are two Joy Drive-Ins in Copperas Cove. Not just because of the aerial views, but there are surviving photos of the Joy Drive-In in its original location at 1214 East Highway 190 that featured its original screen tower with some small painting of Mighty Mouse on it. Unfortunately that screen tower was in severely beaten condition during the mid-1970s.
Its most likely that the Joy Drive-In relocated to 33RF+RQ, Copperas Cove, TX 76522 during the latter half of the 1970s and reopened it there. It had a newer screen without the tower covering, and was already closed by the late-1980s.
This appears to be a relocated drive-in from the original location at 1214 East Highway 190. Its very likely that it relocated to 33RF+RQ during the mid-1970s and reopened for another decade until the mid-1980s.
There was an article last month in the Copperas Cove Leader Press about a sort-of reopening of the Joy. Jodie Nobles has refurbished the screen, which now faces an RV park. It’s fun for the park residents, plus “there will be room for about 30 automobiles” when it opens around January 2026.
A bit of Joy history from Nobles: “Cotton Lightfoot built the Joy originally and Reed Whatley ran it in the 70’s and 80’s … I wanted to bring back something that special to so many generations beginning from 1953”.
This drive-in is currently open and showing movies. While it primarily serves guests staying in the RV park, outside visitors can also purchase admission to attend the features. The drive-in operates as a repertory venue, but it is equipped with modern digital cinema equipment.
When did it reopen its gates?