Watching a horror movie gets considerably harder when you also have to keep an eye on the passenger window.
At the Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Experience, costumed monsters lurk outside your car while a horror movie plays on the big screen. Actors, lighting effects, and in-car audio turn an October movie night into something that might have your bravest friend reconsidering the window seat.
The event returns this month to the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, Washington, north of Portland. Oregon readers will need to cross the Columbia for this one.
Horror Movies With Something Moving Outside Your Window
Cinema of Horrors combines a drive-in screening with live scares around the vehicles. The makeup and costumes are part of a production that keeps going while you’re trying to follow the movie.
You have a feature-length film to watch, but giving it your undivided attention could prove difficult with a monster nearby. That’s the appeal for anyone who already spends October working through a horror-movie watchlist.
The organizer says the experience generally lasts about two hours, depending on the film. You can find the event overview on the official Cinema of Horrors website.
Cinema of Horrors 2026 Dates and Location
The drive-in runs on 19 nights this October:
- October 7–11
- October 14–18
- October 21–25
- October 28–31
The venue is the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. The fairgrounds’ event calendar confirms the October dates.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and movies begin at 7 p.m. Give yourself time to get across the river, check in, and park before the screening. The organizer requires arrival by 7 p.m. for actor safety. See the ticket information and arrival rules before leaving.ch at once. There’s the movie playing ahead of you, and then there’s whatever might be approaching from the side. The production combines costumed performers, in-car audio, lighting, and special effects around the parked cars. Expect roughly two hours for the experience, depending on the movie. According to the organizer’s event FAQ, actors do not touch guests or their vehicles.
The 2026 Movie Lineup
The 2026 lineup mixes older favorites with newer releases, including Sinners and Final Destination: Bloodlines. You could make it a date with The Shining, introduce a friend to The Blair Witch Project, or save your visit for Halloween on October 31. Check the film and date together before purchasing, since your ticket is for a specific evening.
| Date | Movie |
|---|---|
| October 7 | Sinister (2012) |
| October 8 | Smile (2022) |
| October 9 | Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) |
| October 10 | Evil Dead Burn (2026) |
| October 11 | The Blair Witch Project (1999) |
| October 14 | The Cabin in the Woods |
| October 15 | Black Phone 2 (2025) |
| October 16 | The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) |
| October 17 | The Shining (1980) |
| October 18 | Sinners (2025) |
| October 21 | Talk to Me (2023) |
| October 22 | The Purge (2013) |
| October 23 | Friday the 13th (2009) |
| October 24 | The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) |
| October 25 | Beetlejuice (1988), Family Night |
| October 28 | A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) |
| October 29 | Trick ’r Treat (2007) |
| October 30 | Scream (1996) |
| October 31 | Halloween (1978) |
October 25 is Family Night, featuring Beetlejuice, and the organizer describes family nights as having reduced scare intensity. Parents should still consider the film and their child’s comfort with live performers, loud sounds, and flashing lights. The organizer’s FAQ includes an older answer saying there is no age limit, while PDX Pipeline’s 2026 listing labels the event for ages 13 and older. Confirm admission with the organizer before buying tickets for a younger child.
One Ticket Covers the Car
Tickets are sold per vehicle, with passengers limited to the number your vehicle can legally seat. That makes this an easy outing to plan with a few friends, provided everyone agrees on the movie.
You must purchase online before arriving. Check the film and date together before completing your order, and have your ticket ready at the gate. Purchases are nonrefundable; the organizer says tickets will transfer to other dates if it cancels the event. The official ticket page has booking information and current terms.
More Oregon Halloween Plans for October
For a daytime outing before your movie night, our 2026 Oregon pumpkin patch guide covers farms across the state, including options around Portland. Choose a nearby patch and leave enough room in the afternoon for the drive to Ridgefield.
There are also plenty of reasons to save another October evening for an Oregon attraction.
Scaregrounds PDX has haunted attractions at Oaks Park in Portland, with its 2026 calendar listing select nights from October 1 through November 1. It’s an option for the friends who would rather walk into the scares themselves.
For movie nostalgia and a town-wide Halloween outing, start with our look at Halloweentown in St. Helens. That story provides background; the official Spirit of Halloweentown website lists this year’s season on select days from September 26 through November 1, 2026. Check its daily schedule for performances and activities.
Eastern Oregon readers can find Night Fright Productions’ Haunted Warehouse in our events calendar. The attraction is in Imbler, where the 2026 tourism listing confirms Friday and Saturday evenings, October 2–31, from 7 to 10 p.m.
To find more happening near you, browse the That Oregon Life Events hub by date, city, region, or event type.
Cinema of Horrors FAQ
Is Cinema of Horrors in Portland?
The drive-in is in Ridgefield, Washington, at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. It’s a Halloween outing near Portland, across the Columbia River. Venue details.
When does it run in 2026?
October 7–11, 14–18, 21–25, and 28–31. Gates open at 5 p.m.; the advertised movie start is 7 p.m. Official schedule.
How much are tickets?
Prices vary with availability and purchase date. Admission is per car. Check the official ticket page for your chosen screening.
Do actors approach or touch your car?
Monsters appear outside vehicles, but the organizer says actors won’t touch guests or cars. Actor policy.
Do you have to stay inside your vehicle?
Cars remain parked. Guests may watch from truck beds or chairs immediately in front of or behind their vehicle, within their assigned area. Seating rules.
Is it suitable for children?
The FAQ lists no age limit, but advises considering the film’s rating. It also describes designated family nights as less scary. Confirm those screenings before booking. Strobes and loud effects are part of the event. Age and effects information.
Does it operate in the rain?
Yes. Strong winds can cause delays or cancellation; cancelled-event tickets transfer to other dates. Weather policy.
What should you bring?
Have your ticket ready. We’d pack warm layers and a blanket. Outside food and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed, and food vendors are available. Food policy.
Event information checked October 4, 2026. Confirm your selected screening and current price before purchasing.
