Goochland Drive-In Theater Changes Hands After 17 Years of Operation

The Goochland Drive-In Theater, a central Virginia fixture since 2009, has a new owner. James and Kathryn Munsey acquired the property, with the sale announced publicly on March 17, 2026, just ten days before the venue's planned opening of the 2026 season on March 27.

The theater has operated for 17 years as one of the region's most recognized drive-in destinations, drawing audiences from across central Virginia to a format that most markets lost decades ago. Drive-in theaters have staged a modest national comeback in recent years, with the number of operating venues in the United States holding relatively steady at roughly 300 sites after decades of attrition that wiped out more than 4,000 locations from a 1950s peak. Goochland's location has been among the survivors.

The timing of the ownership transfer, announced a day before this report and less than two weeks before the season opener, suggests the Munseys intend to continue operations without interruption. No closing or rebranding has been announced. The March 27 opening date stands.

Property records cited by local outlets confirmed the transaction, though financial terms were not disclosed. The identity of the previous ownership was not included in available records at the time of this report.

For a county of roughly 25,000 residents with limited commercial entertainment options, the drive-in has served as one of the few locally rooted venues capable of drawing crowds on a Friday night. Whether the Munseys bring any programming changes to the 2026 season should become clear when the marquee lights up later this month.