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. 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…
Movies at MacGregor Square
(Denver) — Most Thursdays at dusk: May 12 to October 27 (Bonus screening: October 29), Cost: FREE
Stanley Marketplace’s Films on the Field
(Aurora) — Select Sundays at dusk: May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21 and September 18, Cost: FREE
Denver Film Society’s Film On The Rocks
(Morrison) — Select Mondays at 8:30 p.m.: June 13, July 18, July 25, August 1 and August 15 to June 20, Cost: $16
Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse
(Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins, Greeley and Pueblo) — Every Wednesday with varying showtime: June 15 to August 3, Cost: $1.50
Pictures on the Plains
(Aurora) — Select dates at 7:30 p.m.: June 23, June 30 and July 7 with pre-show activities and FREE popcorn, Cost: $5
Cinema Saturdays at Auraria Campus
(Denver) — Every Saturday in June at 7:30 p.m.: June 4, 11, 18 and 25, Cost: FREE
Food & Flick Fridays
(Firestone) — Select Fridays at dusk: May 20, June 17, July 15 and August 19, Cost: FREE
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Alamo Kids Camp
(Denver, Littleton & Westminster) — Select dates with varying showtimes: All summer long with new titles weekly, Cost: $5
Harkins Theatres’ Summer Movie Fun Series
(Arvada & Denver) — Monday to Friday with 9:45 a.m. showtime: June 6 to July 29, Cost: $2 or Summer Movie Fun Pass for $8
Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Express
(Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Centennial and Sheridan) — Every Tuesday and Wednesday at around 10 a.m. from May 24 to September 7, Cost: $2
9+CO’s Outdoor Movie Night Sing Along Series
(Denver) — Select Saturdays at 7 p.m.: June 25, July 23 and September 17, Cost: FREE (Tickets required)
Avanti Food & Beverage’s Summer Movie Series
(Denver) — Every Thursday at 9 p.m.: May 26 to August 25, Cost: FREE
Denver Film Society’s Sunset Cinema Series
(Denver) — Select dates at 7 p.m.: June 7, June 21, July 12 and July 26, Cost: FREE
MetroLux’ Summer Kids Movies Series
(Loveland) — Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. at MetroLux 14 Theatres at Centerra and every Wednesday at 2 p.m. at MetroLux Dine-In Theatres at the Foundry: June 7 to August 11, Cost: $2
Photo: MCA
Denver’s Historic Airport District’s Outdoor Movie Series
(Denver) — Select Fridays at dusk: June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22 and August 5, Cost: FREE
Westminster’s Movies in the Park
(Westminster) — Select dates at 7 p.m.: June 3, August 6, August 13, August 26 and September 9, Cost: FREE
Infinity Park’s Music & Movie Nights
(Glendale) — Select Fridays at 6:30 p.m.: June 24, July 8, July 22 and August 12, Cost: FREE
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park’s Dive-In Movies
(Denver) — Select dates at 7:30 p.m.: June 24, July 8 and July 22, Cost: FREE (with paid park admission or season pass)
Thornton’s Movies in the Park
(Thornton) — Select Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at dusk: June 4 to August 20, Cost: FREE
Historic Elitch Theatre’s Outdoor Summer Film Series
(Denver) — Select Fridays at dusk: July 8, July 22, August 5 and August 19, Cost: FREE
Northglenn’s Summer Movie Series
(Northglenn) — Every Wednesday at dusk: July 6, July 13, July 20 and July 27, Cost: FREE
Lafayette’s Movie Night Summer Series
(Lafayette) — Select Fridays at dusk: June 17, July 15 and August 19, Cost: FREE
Highland Ranch’s Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series
(Littleton) — Every Friday at dusk: June 3 to September 2 (with bonus screening on July 16), Cost: $25 per car
Golden’s Movies & Music in the Park
(Golden) — Select Fridays at dusk: July 15, August 12 and September 9, Cost: FREE
The following “cheap” movies run year-round, but also make for another summertime option:
88 Drive-In Theatre
Go back in time and enjoy a unique movie experience, thanks to Commerce City’s 88 Drive-In Theatre. The outdoor theatre shows a double-feature at dusk (around 8:20 p.m.) Thursday to Sunday — from April 22 to September 4. Tickets are $10 per person, with kids (11 & under) admitted for FREE.
AMC Theatres
Make Tuesday your day to go the movies! Every Tuesday, AMC Theatres offers Discount Tuesdays to its Stubs members, all year long. Ticket prices start at $6.50. Price varies by location.
In addition, AMC Theatres offers Fan Faves with popular movies back on the big screen at a discounted price. Tickets are just $5. The series plays on select dates. The line-up changes often, so check back on a regular basis for new titles.
Elvis Cinemas
Elvis Cinemas is a family-owned and -operated chain of cinemas with three locations in Colorado. They show first run movies at value prices. Regular price tickets are cheaper than most of the national chains. As of now, only two locations are open — Arvada and Denver.
Harkins Theatres’ Tuesday Night Classics
Every week, Harkins Theatres hosts its Tuesday Night Classics — a classic film plays every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are just $5. The discounted series plays at both of the chain’s Colorado locations — Arvada and Denver.
Landmark Theatres’ Monday & Tuesday Special
Every week, Landmark Theatres offers tickets for just $7 every Monday and Tuesday. Plus, the chain’s Mayan Theatre hosts a Retro Replay classic film series every Tuesday — with a new theme every month. And tickets are also just $7.
Regal Cinemas’ Regal Crown Club Value Days
Every Tuesday, Regal Cinema offers its Regal Crown Club Value Days with discounted tickets (including new releases!) for loyalty club members — starting at $5. (Special screenings excluded.) There is an upcharge for premium formats, including 3-D, 4-D, IMAX and RPX.
Even better, every Tuesday, Regal Crown Club members also get 50% off any size popcorn.