Key Takeaways
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ChiTown Movies closes September 2026 at 2343 S. Throop St in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood with a horror-focused slate featuring Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hocus Pocus.
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Several nights play as double or triple features, with Friday, September 25 stacking three films and other evenings pairing family titles with horror staples.
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One ticket per vehicle covers up to 6 adults, with gates typically opening 30 to 45 minutes before showtime and parking on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Tuesday, September 29 highlights Spanish-language programming with Shrek (in Spanish!) at 7:00 PM and La Misma Luna (in Spanish with English subtitles) at 9:00 PM.
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Viewers can use OnesToWatch Live as a central guide for late-September drive-in screenings and direct ticket links.
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Quick Ticket Links For Late September 2026
These dates have direct ticket links available through official Universe pages via Ticketmaster. As noted, one ticket per vehicle covers up to 6 adults.
September 25, 2026 – Shrek (7:15 PM)
September 25, 2026 – Friday the 13th (the original!) (9:15 PM)
Get Tickets for Friday the 13th
September 26, 2026 – Hocus Pocus (7:15 PM)
September 29, 2026 – La Misma Luna (in Spanish with English subtitles) (9:00 PM)
September 30, 2026 – Halloween (the 1978 original!) (9:00 PM)
Secure Tickets for Halloween (1978)
Night-By-Night Calendar: Remaining September 2026 Screenings
Now that the ticket links are in one place, here is the full remaining schedule with context for each night. Arrive early to secure your preferred spot, since parking is first-come, first-served.
1. Thursday, September 24 – A Nightmare On Elm Street (10:30 PM)
Wes Craven’s 1984 slasher A Nightmare on Elm Street was released on November 16, 1984, according to the official Wes Craven site, though some sources list November 9, 1984. The 10:30 PM start pushes the ending well past midnight, which suits Freddy Krueger in an open-air lot.
Get Tickets for A Nightmare on Elm Street
2. Friday, September 25 – Shrek (7:15 PM)
The evening opens with DreamWorks’ animated hit, which turns Friday into a rare double-feature night that spans family comedy and horror. This pairing works well for groups with mixed age ranges who plan to stay for both films.
3. Friday, September 25 – Friday The 13th (The Original!) (9:15 PM)
Sean S. Cunningham’s 1980 original follows Shrek and shifts the tone from family comedy to slasher horror. The 9:15 PM slot lands after full darkness settles over Pilsen, and the Ticketmaster venue page also lists a third screening of Halloween (the 1978 Original!) at 11:00 PM for viewers planning an all-night horror marathon.
Get Tickets for Friday the 13th
4. Saturday, September 26 – Hocus Pocus (7:15 PM)
Disney’s Hocus Pocus, released July 16, 1993, is a Halloween-season perennial that opens Saturday’s double bill at 7:15 PM, with gates at 6:30 PM. The same night also features Beetlejuice (the Original!) at 9:15 PM, with gates at 8:55 PM, creating a witch-and-ghost pairing that fits the early fall mood. Hocus Pocus tickets are available via the link below, while Beetlejuice availability appears on chitowndrivein.com/movies.
5. Monday, September 28 – Grease (7:00 PM) and Michael (9:00 PM)
The Ticketmaster venue page lists a Monday double feature of Grease at 7:00 PM and Michael at 9:00 PM. These titles skew more toward musical nostalgia and ’90s fantasy than horror, which adds variety to the week.
6. Tuesday, September 29 – Shrek (In Spanish!) (7:00 PM) and La Misma Luna (In Spanish With English Subtitles) (9:00 PM)
Patricia Riggen’s 2007 drama Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna), which premiered at Sundance in January 2007, reached U.S. theaters on March 19, 2008, in Spanish with English subtitles. The Ticketmaster venue page pairs it with Shrek (in Spanish!) at 7:00 PM, creating a full Spanish-language Tuesday. La Misma Luna tickets are available below.
7. Wednesday, September 30 – Hocus Pocus (7:00 PM) and Halloween (The 1978 Original!) (9:00 PM)
John Carpenter directed the 1978 film Halloween, which had its theatrical release on October 25, 1978, and remains a central title for Halloween-season viewing. The Ticketmaster venue page lists Hocus Pocus at 7:00 PM and Halloween at 9:00 PM, giving the final September evening a two-film send-off.
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Programming Patterns And Seasonal Themes
The final week of September 2026 at ChiTown Movies leans into horror-season programming, with Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hocus Pocus, and Beetlejuice all appearing in a six-day span. Several nights run as double features, and Friday the 25th alone carries three films across the evening. Shrek and the Spanish-language Tuesday screenings (La Misma Luna and Shrek in Spanish) offer a break from the horror-heavy lineup.
Third Coast Review describes ChiTown Movies as “an old school experience for the modern age,” and DriveInList identifies it as Chicago’s only permanent drive-in. September 30 marks the final night of the month, and the drive-in continues into October with titles such as The Notebook at 7:00 PM and A Nightmare on Elm Street at 9:30 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Before You Go: Practical Logistics
Location: ChiTown Movies sits at 2343 S. Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608, in the Pilsen neighborhood.
Admission: One ticket per vehicle covers up to 6 adults, and spots are first-come, first-served. Staff direct trucks and large SUVs to a secondary section for better sightlines.
Gate Times: For the July 4 Sandlot screening, gates opened 45 minutes early. For the 2026 ChiTown Movies drive-in screenings of Hocus Pocus (Sat, Sep 26, 7:15 PM) and Sinners (Sun, Sep 27, 7:15 PM), gates open at 6:30 PM, 45 minutes before showtime. Arriving early helps with parking and concessions.
Audio: Viewers tune car radios to 89.9 FM for in-car sound.
Food: Outside food and beverages are not permitted. ChiTown Grille delivers tacos, wings, burgers, kids meals, movie-theater popcorn, and drinks directly to vehicles via QR-code ordering.
Tickets: ChiTown Drive-In tickets are non-refundable but fully transferable. An unscanned vehicle ticket can be used for another movie anytime within 12 months of the original date.
Accessibility: Call ChiTown Movies’ main contact line, (312) 842-FILM, in advance to reserve accessibility accommodations such as wheelchair-accessible spaces, companion seating, and assistive listening devices.
Parking: Free street parking surrounds the venue, with a limited on-site lot and public parking structures within two to three blocks. Rideshare drop-off works well during peak hours.
Nearby Alternatives: The nearest drive-in options include the 49’er Drive-In Theater in Valparaiso, Indiana (39 miles) and the McHenry Outdoor Theater in McHenry, Illinois (45 miles).
For emerging artists likely to headline future live events, see OnesToWatch’s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch. Explore OnesToWatch for in-depth stories that highlight the next wave of music.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Time Do Gates Open at ChiTown Movies?
Gates typically open 30 to 45 minutes before the listed showtime. For example, the Hocus Pocus and Sinners screenings opened 45 minutes early, while the Jurassic Park screening on September 23 opened at 6:30 PM for a 7:15 PM start. Arriving early is recommended because parking operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
How Much Does a Ticket Cost, and How Many People Does It Cover?
Tickets are sold per vehicle and cover up to 6 adults, regardless of the number of passengers up to that limit. Purchases take place online through Universe via Ticketmaster.
What Is Showing on September 25 and 26, 2026?
At ChiTown Movies on Friday, September 25, 2026, Shrek screens at 7:15 PM and Friday the 13th (the original!) screens at 9:15 PM, with Halloween (the 1978 Original!) also listed at 11:00 PM the same night. September 26 features Hocus Pocus at 7:15 PM followed by Beetlejuice (the Original!) at 9:15 PM. Both nights function as double or triple features and rank among the densest evenings of the final week.
Are There Spanish-Language Screenings in Late September 2026?
Tuesday, September 29 features two Spanish-language screenings: Shrek (in Spanish!) at 7:00 PM and La Misma Luna (in Spanish with English subtitles) at 9:00 PM. La Misma Luna is Patricia Riggen’s 2007 drama and is the only September 2026 ChiTown Movies title explicitly billed as a Spanish-language film with English subtitles, while Shrek is billed as being in Spanish without specific subtitle wording.
Can I Bring My Own Food, and What Are the Etiquette Rules?
Outside food and beverages are not allowed. ChiTown Grille operates on-site and delivers tacos, wings, burgers, kids meals, movie-theater popcorn, and drinks directly to vehicles via QR-code order. General etiquette guidelines include no recording devices, quiet during film presentations, and a 21+ requirement for evening screenings, with ID required for alcohol purchases. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and Rated R films require guests to be 17 or older with a parent or guardian.
Conclusion
ChiTown Movies’ September 2026 season closes with Halloween (the 1978 original) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 9:00 PM. The remaining days from September 24 through 30 offer the last chance to experience this horror-leaning run at 2343 S. Throop St in Pilsen before the calendar turns. OnesToWatch provides a consolidated guide anchored by direct first-party ticket links for every available date, making it easier to plan a visit. Secure your vehicle spot before these screenings sell out.
Secure Tickets for Halloween (1978)