Misquamicut Drive-In: JAWS

Misquamicut Drive-In: JAWS brings one of the most iconic summer thrillers ever made back to the big screen just steps from the shoreline at Misquamicut Drive-In. Steven Spielberg’s legendary 1975 blockbuster transformed beach season forever with its story of a quiet coastal town terrorized by a great white shark lurking just offshore. Even decades later, the tension still works. The slow build, the unforgettable score, and the feeling that something might be circling beneath the water make JAWS the kind of movie that feels especially perfect to watch near the ocean on a warm summer night.

The Misquamicut Drive-In has become one of Rhode Island’s most nostalgic seasonal attractions, blending old-school drive-in culture with the atmosphere of a beach town summer evening. Cars line up facing the massive outdoor screen while families, couples, and groups of friends settle into lawn chairs, truck beds, and open tailgates with snacks and blankets. On nights when the ocean breeze rolls through the area, the experience feels less like a normal movie screening and more like a community gathering wrapped in neon lights, salt air, and movie quotes everyone somehow already knows by heart.

Part of what gives the drive-in its charm is how immersive the setup becomes after dark. Guests tune their car radios to 96.3 FM, where the movie audio is broadcast directly into vehicles, creating an unexpectedly cinematic experience, especially with the windows down on a cool night. Speakers near the front rows also project sound toward the screen area, adding another layer to the atmosphere for guests sitting outside their vehicles. Between the beachside setting, the giant screen glowing against the night sky, and the collective reactions during JAWS’ most famous scenes, it becomes the kind of summer memory people talk about long after the credits roll.

Rules and Suggestions:
• Tune vehicle radios to 96.3 FM for movie audio
• Guests sitting near the screen can also hear audio through front speaker systems
• Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for guests watching outside their vehicles
• Arrive early for better parking spots and easier entry
• Be respectful of neighboring vehicles by keeping headlights off during the movie
• Outside snacks may be allowed, but guests should check event policies before arriving
• Beach evenings can become cool after sunset, so bringing layers is recommended