Drive-in plays 'SpongeBob' with 'Fifty Shades' visible on next screen, angering parents

Parents were upset when a Northern California drive-in theater screened the erotic "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" films simultaneously this weekend.

The Sam Taylor-Johnson directed film, based on E.L. James' popular novel, follows the taboo love between Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) and self-made billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan).

Also read: 'Fifty Shades' Wasn't Driven by Sex, Whips and Chains: Here's What Actually Drew Moviegoers

"At the time, there was a woman being slapped, naked, bound up," explained Deborah Powell, who attended the "Spongebob" movie with at least a dozen children. "So we had to have our children close their eyes. I could see another car behind us that had children in there with their eyes closed."

The films were shown in the Bay Area at Concord's West Wind Solano Drive-In. The theater has two screens, one pointing north, the other west. Both are still visible from different viewing points, KTVU reported.

Powell expressed her concern to a theater employee about playing the R-rated film alongside a family-friendly movie.

Also read: 'Fifty Shades' Star Jamie Dornan Has a Tasty Bite of His Own Six Pack Abs

"There is no way to avoid looking at that screen. It's too tempting. So, we couldn't stay. We had to turn around. My children were devastated," Powell said.

KTVU reported the theater owner, Syufy Enterprises, didn't respond to its request for comment.

Also read: 'SpongeBob' Soaks Up $55 Million to Swamp 'Jupiter Ascending,' 'Seventh Son' at Box Office

Both films have continued to attract moviegoers since their releases, with "Fifty" earning more than $266 million worldwide and "Spongebob" more than $149 million.

KTVU –