Denver’s free outdoor movie nights 2021 (plus Red Rocks Film on the Rocks)

A couple of years ago, I got a projector and we hung a painter’s cloth in front of the driveway. We invited a few of the neighbors to join us on an outdoor movie night. This tradition has continued every summer Friday. We always play old movies and they can’t be rated over PG-13. But if someone in your neighborhood doesn’t have a projector, you can certainly join in the fun of an outdoor movie. We’ve compiled a list of several of the movies that are happing in the Denver area this summer.  

Also, don’t miss Red Rocks’ Film on the Rocks, your favorite movies in the most iconic settings. This is definitely not free but I will include the schedule below. 

Also, see our guide to Denver’s free outdoor concerts. 

Free Outdoor Movie Nights in Denver

JUNE

• Wednesday, June 2 – Zootopia at Highridge Court Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, June 3 – Sandlot at Avanti
• Saturday, June 5 – Aladdin (2019) at Carpenter Park Fields at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, June 9 – Goosebumps at Trail Winds Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, June 10 – Cool Runnings at Avanti
• Friday, June 11 – Olympic Dreams at South Green
• Saturday, June 12 – Cars at Cherrywood Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, June 16 – Night at the Museum at Cherry Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, June 17 – Bridesmaids at Avanti 
• Saturday, June 19 – The Croods at Community Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, June 23 – Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief at Quebec Highlands Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, June 24– The Goonies at Avanti
• Friday, June 25 – Secret Garden at South Green
• Friday, June 25 – Moana at Promenade Shops at Centerra 
• Saturday, June 26 – Back to the Future at Carpenter Park Fields at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, June 30 – The Incredibles at Carpenter Park Fields at Thornton’s Movies in the Park

JULY

• Thursday, July 1 – Caddyshack at Avanti
• Saturday, July 3 – Marley & Me at Highridge Court Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, July 7 – Onward at Northglenn
• Wednesday, July 7 – Smallfoot at Cherrywood Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, July 8 – Coming to America at Avanti
• Friday, July 9 – Remember the Titans at South Green
• Saturday, July 10 – Space Jam at Riverwalk Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Monday, July 12 – Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse at Infinity Park
• Wednesday, July 14 – Black Panther at Northglenn
• Wednesday, July 14 – Muppets Most Wanted at Community Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, July 15 – Wayne’s World at Avanti
• Saturday, July 17 – Madagascar at Thorncreek Golf Course at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, July 21 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Northglenn
• Wednesday, July 21  – A Dog’s Purpose at Trail Winds Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, July 22 – Christmas in July: Elf at Avanti
• Friday, July 23 – Jumanji: The Next Level at South Green
• Saturday, July 24 – Inside Out at Carpenter Park Fields at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Monday, July 26 – Raya and the Last Dragon at Infinity Park
• Wednesday, July 28 – Wonder Woman at Northglenn
• Wednesday, July 28 – E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial at Highridge Court Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, July 29 – Dumb & Dumber at Avanti
• Friday, July 30 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse at Promenade Shops at Centerra
• Saturday, July 31 – Finding Nemo at Cherry Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park

AUGUST

• Wednesday, August 4 – Trolls at Carpenter Park Fields at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, August 5 – Grease at Avanti
• Friday, August 6 – Raya and the Last Dragon at South Green
• Saturday, August 7 – Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse at Quebec Highlands Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Monday, August 9 – Footloose at Infinity Park
• Wednesday, August 11 – Beauty and the Beast (Live Action) at Cherry Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, August 12 – Happy Gilmore at Avanti
• Saturday, August 14 – The Call of the Wild at Riverwalk Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Wednesday, August 18 – Office Space at Avanti
• Saturday, August 21 – The Good Dinosaur at Community Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Thursday, August 26 – The Big Lebowski at Avanti
• Saturday, August 28 – The Mighty Ducks at Riverwalk Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Monday, August 30 – The Croods: A New Age at Infinity Park

SEPTEMBER

• Saturday, September 4 – The SpongeBob Movie at Trail Winds Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Saturday, September 11 – The Karate Kid at Cherrywood Park at Thornton’s Movies in the Park
• Monday, September 13 – Soul at Infinity Park

 *Backcountry in Highlands Ranch also has a movie night – but there is a cost of $25/vehicle. Additionally, Film on the Rocks has created a drive-in option, however, it also is a paid event. This is a list of free events, not an exhaustive list of all events.

Film on the Rocks

Film on the Rocks is back for its 22nd season! Enjoy a one-of-a-kind drive-in movie experience at the iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre as well as in-amphitheatre films.

Drive-in films will be presented on an LED screen located in the Red Rocks Lower South Lot 2 parking area with audio delivered via a designated FM radio frequency. RVs, buses, or any hitched trailers are not allowed and will be denied entry. No grilling on the grounds, vehicle roofs or hoods. Cost: $59.50 per car which includes Coke, popcorn and candy. Gates open at 7: 3p .m., the film starts at 8:30 p.m. 

Week 1 (5/26-5/31)

• Wednesday, May 26 — “Dirty Dancing”

• Thursday, May 27 — “Jaws”

• Friday, May 28 — “Enter the Dragon”

• Saturday, May 29 — “The Sandlot”

• Sunday, May 30 — “Beetlejuice”

• Monday, May 31 — “Aliens”