Going to the movies is just a given in the summer for families looking for blockbuster fun, especially in an air-conditioned theater or, better yet, under a beautiful Colorado evening sky. The number of summer film series keeps growing and it can be a challenge to keep track of them all. The following round-up of flicks being screened, indoors and outdoors, should be helpful for friends and families planning summertime activities.
Most of the films are your typical family fare, namely animation and comedy — usually G- or PG-Rated. (Parents, be ready for lots of Wreck-It Ralph and dragons!) Not just for kids though, some line-ups include classic pop culture films from the 80s and 90s for adults.
Many offer family-friendly activities beforehand, so get there early. (Plus, the early bird gets the best seats. Don’t forget to bring chairs and/or blankets.) And, if you don’t pack your own picnic or snacks, most offer concessions for sale — everything from the usual movie snacks to beer and wine for adults.
Most are FREE — if not, totally cheap. Showtimes vary, usually in the morning (around 10 a.m.) for the kids and at dusk (about 8:30 p.m) for grown-ups and families.
Here’s what’s showing this summer…
Add Halcyon’s Elevated Rooftop Bar series
Denver Film Society’s Film On The Rocks (Morrison) – Select dates at dusk from May 10 to August 19, Cost: $16
Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins, Greeley, Lakewood and Pueblo) – At various participating theaters (days, time and titles vary by location — 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m.) from May 27 to August 8, Cost: $5 for 10 films or $1 per flick
Food & Flick Fridays (Firestone) – Select Fridays at dusk from May 31 to August 9, Cost: FREE
Starlight Movie Night (Castle Rock) – At dusk on June 1 — Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, Cost: FREE
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Alamo Kids Camp (Denver and Littleton) – Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. from June 3 to August 16, Cost: $1, $3 or $5 — you decide.
Harkins Theatres’ Summer Movie Fun (Arvada & Denver) – Monday through Friday at 9:45 a.m. from June 3 to August 9, Cost: $5 for 10 films or $2 per flick
Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express (Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Centennial and Sheridan) – Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. from June 4 to September 4, Cost: $1 per flick
Avanti Food & Beverage’s Summer Movie Series (Denver) – Every Tuesday at 9 p.m. from June 4 to August 27, Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park (Arvada) – At dusk on June 8, July 27 and August 17 at Quaker Acres Park, Lookout Park in Leyden Park and West Woods Elementary School, respectively, Cost: FREE
Lakewood’s Rockin’ Block Party – At 9 p.m. on June 8 — The Love Bug, Cost: FREE
Denver Arts Sunset Cinema (Denver) – At dusk on June 11, July 9, July 16 and August 13 at Denver Center For Performing Arts — Galleria, Cost: FREE
MetroLux 14’s Summer Kids Film Series (Loveland) – Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. from June 11 to August 14, Cost: $2 per flick
Stapleton’s Movies on the Green (Denver) – Select Fridays at dusk from June 14 to August 9, Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park (Westminster) – At dusk on June 14, July 12 and August 23 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course, Big Dry Creek Park and Westminster City Park, respectively, Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park (Erie) – At dusk on June 15, July 13 and August 24 — plus, fun-themed activities prior to the start of each movie, Cost: FREE
Infinity Park’s Monday Movie Madness (Glendale) – Bi-weekly every Monday at 7:30 p.m. from June 17 to August 12, Cost: FREE
Butterfly Pavilion’s Outdoor Movie Night (Westminster) – At dusk on June 21 — Bee Movie, Cost: FREE (tickets required, as space is limited — click here.)
Friday Night Live (Wheat Ridge) – At dusk on June 21 and July 19, Cost: FREE
Fairmount Cemetery’s Summer Movie Nights (Denver) – Saturdays at dusk on June 22, July 27 and August 17, Cost: FREE
Uhills Movie Night (Denver) – At 8:15 p.m. on June 27 and July 19, Cost: FREE
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park’s Dive-In Movies (Denver) – Every Friday at 7:30 p.m. from June 28 to August 2, Cost: FREE (with any park admission or season pass)
Promenade Shops’ Movies on Main (Loveland) – Every Friday at 7 p.m. from June 28 to July 26, Cost: FREE
Steamboat Springs’ Movies On The Mountain – Every Saturday at dusk from June 29 to August 31 (except July 27), Cost: FREE
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Summer Movie Nights (Westminster) – Every Thursday at dusk from July 4 to September 5, Cost: FREE
Aspen Grove’s Family Film Night (Littleton) – At dusk on July 11, 18 and 25, Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park (Thornton) – Saturdays at 8 p.m. on July 13 and August 3, Cost: FREE
Southlands’ Movies on the Square (Aurora) – Every Wednesday at dusk from July 17 to August 7, Cost: FREE
Summer Movie Series (Northglenn) – Every Wednesday at dusk from July 17 to August 7, Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park (Englewood) – At dusk on July 19, August 8 and 23, Cost: FREE
Movie Nights (Lafayette) – At dusk on July 19, August 23 and September 6, Cost: FREE
Film in the Park (Highlands Ranch) – Every Friday at dusk from August 2 to 16, Cost: FREE
Movies & Music in the Park (Golden) – Every Friday at dusk from August 2 to 23, Cost: FREE
The following “cheap” movies run year-round, but also make for another summertime option:
88 Drive-In Theatre (Commerce City) – Every night shows triple-feature from April 19 to September 2, Cost: $9 per person, kids (11 & under) are FREE
AMC Theatres – Every Tuesday, the theatre chain offers Discount Ticket Tuesdays to its Stubs members, all year long, Cost: $5 and up (Note: Membership for its basic loyalty program is FREE.)
Denver Mart Drive-In (Denver) – Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows double-feature from May 24 to September 1, Cost: $10 per person, kids (6 & under) are FREE
Elvis Cinemas – See second-run flicks at a low-price, Cost: $3 before 6 p.m. and $4 after 6 p.m.
Harkins Theatres’ Tuesday Night Classics (Arvada and Denver) – Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., catch a pop culture classic at a classic price, Cost: $5
Regal Cinemas’ Value Days (Littleton) – Every Tuesday, Meadows 12 offers special pricing for tickets, including new releases, Cost: $7.04 (Note: There is an upcharge for 3-D screenings.)
Tattered Cover Film Series (Denver) – The first Sunday of the month, see a classic film with critic Howie Movshovitz at the Sie FilmCenter at 1 p.m., Cost: $1
