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Colorados 2026 Outdoor Movie Season Highlights Zootopia 2 as Summer Staple
Under a Colorado sky, the summer screen glow turns towns into open‑air cinemas, offering free or low‑cost film nights that promise more than just a movie. The most frequently scheduled feature is Disney’s “Zootopia 2,” the franchise’s second installment, which has become the highest‑grossing animated film in history and the most common choice for summer outdoor series across the state.
In Denver, the long‑running Film on the Rocks series at Red Rocks Amphitheatre continues its tradition of pairing classic and contemporary movies with live music. Tickets cost $25 and are sold through denverfilm.org. The 2026 lineup includes “Sinners” (June 22), “Little Miss Sunshine” (July 13), “Bridesmaids” (August 3) and “Jurassic Park” (August 10). Each night begins with a pre‑show performance by local musicians or comedians, followed by the film at 8:30 p.m.
The city’s free Sunset Cinema series, also run by Denver Film, screens on Tuesdays at the Denver Performing Arts Complex’s Sculpture Park. This month’s schedule features “The Fifth Element” (June 23), “National Treasure” (July 3), “The Sandlot” (July 7) and “The Prestige” (July 21). The program is designed to complement the park’s existing art installations and community events.
Fort Collins’ Lyric Theatre hosts a curated outdoor series that runs from June through October. For $12 or less, patrons can enjoy a mix of older favorites and newer releases, including “Hairspray” (June 11), “Sinners” (June 19), “Predator” (June 26) and “The Shining” (August 4). The Lyric’s schedule also includes a free mystery horror movie every Monday night.
Edgewater Public Market’s Monday Night Movies series is the state’s most prolific free outdoor lineup, featuring “Zootopia 2” on July 13 and September 21, “10 Things I Hate About You” on July 20, and “The Goonies” on August 17. The screenings begin at sundown and are often accompanied by live music, ice cream, and community activities.
Other venues across the Denver metro area and beyond offer similar experiences. Avanti Food & Beverage Hall shows films on Thursday nights on a 30‑foot screen, with titles ranging from “Holes” (June 11) to “The Princess Bride” (September 3). McGregor Square, located across from Coors Field, presents free movies such as “Project Hail Mary” (July 4) and a July 16 double feature of “Zootopia” and “Zootopia 2.” Historic Elitch Theatre, Denver’s oldest cultural venue, moved its outdoor screenings inside the theater for the summer, showing “Ghostbusters” (June 12) and “Zootopia 2” (July 17) with special animal ambassadors.
The state’s smaller towns also contribute to the summer cinema tapestry. Aurora’s Music at the Movies series pairs films with live bands, starting with “How to Train Your Dragon” (June 24). Golden’s Movies & Music in the Park offers animated features such as “Zootopia 2” (June 12) and “Balto” (July 10). Westminster, Glendale, Northglenn, Thornton, Brighton, and other communities host free screenings that often include food trucks, live music, and local council participation.
The 88 Drive‑In in Commerce City remains the region’s only operating drive‑in, celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer with shows of “The Mandalorian” and “Backrooms.” The CO150 Festival, a statewide celebration of Colorado’s 150th birthday, features 150 screenings across historic venues, starting with “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (June 12). The Colorado Symphony will present two live‑orchestra screenings of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on June 20–21.
Additional special events include the MCA Denver’s immersive “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Holiday (June 13) and Ellen Greene’s 40th‑anniversary screening of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Paramount Theatre (September 23). These events highlight the diversity of summer entertainment options beyond the standard film‑screening model.
In summary, Colorado’s 2026 outdoor movie season offers a wide array of free and paid screenings, live music, food trucks, and community engagement. “Zootopia 2” remains the most frequently shown film, reflecting its box‑office success and broad appeal. As the season progresses, additional venues and events are expected to join the lineup, ensuring that residents across the state have ample opportunities to enjoy cinema under the stars.
In Denver, the long‑running Film on the Rocks series at Red Rocks Amphitheatre continues its tradition of pairing classic and contemporary movies with live music. Tickets cost $25 and are sold through denverfilm.org. The 2026 lineup includes “Sinners” (June 22), “Little Miss Sunshine” (July 13), “Bridesmaids” (August 3) and “Jurassic Park” (August 10). Each night begins with a pre‑show performance by local musicians or comedians, followed by the film at 8:30 p.m.
The city’s free Sunset Cinema series, also run by Denver Film, screens on Tuesdays at the Denver Performing Arts Complex’s Sculpture Park. This month’s schedule features “The Fifth Element” (June 23), “National Treasure” (July 3), “The Sandlot” (July 7) and “The Prestige” (July 21). The program is designed to complement the park’s existing art installations and community events.
Fort Collins’ Lyric Theatre hosts a curated outdoor series that runs from June through October. For $12 or less, patrons can enjoy a mix of older favorites and newer releases, including “Hairspray” (June 11), “Sinners” (June 19), “Predator” (June 26) and “The Shining” (August 4). The Lyric’s schedule also includes a free mystery horror movie every Monday night.
Edgewater Public Market’s Monday Night Movies series is the state’s most prolific free outdoor lineup, featuring “Zootopia 2” on July 13 and September 21, “10 Things I Hate About You” on July 20, and “The Goonies” on August 17. The screenings begin at sundown and are often accompanied by live music, ice cream, and community activities.
Other venues across the Denver metro area and beyond offer similar experiences. Avanti Food & Beverage Hall shows films on Thursday nights on a 30‑foot screen, with titles ranging from “Holes” (June 11) to “The Princess Bride” (September 3). McGregor Square, located across from Coors Field, presents free movies such as “Project Hail Mary” (July 4) and a July 16 double feature of “Zootopia” and “Zootopia 2.” Historic Elitch Theatre, Denver’s oldest cultural venue, moved its outdoor screenings inside the theater for the summer, showing “Ghostbusters” (June 12) and “Zootopia 2” (July 17) with special animal ambassadors.
The state’s smaller towns also contribute to the summer cinema tapestry. Aurora’s Music at the Movies series pairs films with live bands, starting with “How to Train Your Dragon” (June 24). Golden’s Movies & Music in the Park offers animated features such as “Zootopia 2” (June 12) and “Balto” (July 10). Westminster, Glendale, Northglenn, Thornton, Brighton, and other communities host free screenings that often include food trucks, live music, and local council participation.
The 88 Drive‑In in Commerce City remains the region’s only operating drive‑in, celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer with shows of “The Mandalorian” and “Backrooms.” The CO150 Festival, a statewide celebration of Colorado’s 150th birthday, features 150 screenings across historic venues, starting with “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (June 12). The Colorado Symphony will present two live‑orchestra screenings of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on June 20–21.
Additional special events include the MCA Denver’s immersive “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Holiday (June 13) and Ellen Greene’s 40th‑anniversary screening of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Paramount Theatre (September 23). These events highlight the diversity of summer entertainment options beyond the standard film‑screening model.
In summary, Colorado’s 2026 outdoor movie season offers a wide array of free and paid screenings, live music, food trucks, and community engagement. “Zootopia 2” remains the most frequently shown film, reflecting its box‑office success and broad appeal. As the season progresses, additional venues and events are expected to join the lineup, ensuring that residents across the state have ample opportunities to enjoy cinema under the stars.
