Film on the Rocks Is Back for Its 27th Season — Here Is Everything You Need to Know
Red Rocks Film on the Rocks 2026 is returning for its 27th consecutive season at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado — and it is one of the most beloved summer traditions in the entire Denver region. Film on the Rocks is Denver’s ultimate outdoor movie experience, showcasing a curated slate of movies under the stars at the world’s most iconic outdoor venue. With over 8,000 attendees per show, this summer series combines some of the best in culture, community, and views the city has to offer. The 2026 season will be back — check back on May 4 for full schedule updates. This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your night — what it is, how it works, what to bring, and why booking your ride with Red Rocks Voyager makes the whole experience better from start to finish.
What Is Film on the Rocks?
An essential outdoor movie experience set in the iconic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Film on the Rocks has shaped and impacted Colorado audiences for over two decades. Showcasing cult classics and beloved films under the stars to over 8,000 attendees per show, this summer series combines some of the best in culture, community, and views the city has to offer.
Think about what that actually means. You are sitting in one of the most spectacular natural settings on earth — 70-million-year-old sandstone formations towering on either side of you, the Denver skyline glowing in the distance, a Colorado summer sky overhead — watching a film you love on a giant screen with 8,000 other people who are just as happy to be there as you are. It is not a typical movie night. It is one of the most purely enjoyable experiences Colorado offers every summer. Read more about everything Red Rocks Amphitheatre offers beyond concerts, and check the 12 best things to do at Red Rocks to see how Film on the Rocks fits into the full Red Rocks experience.
How the Evening Works — Door to Screen
Film on the Rocks events follow a consistent and well-loved format that regulars plan their Monday evenings around all summer. Doors open at 6:30 PM with pre-show entertainment taking the stage at 7:00 PM, followed by the film presentation at 8:30 PM. Each show is emceed by local comedian, actor, and event host Janae Burris.
The pre-show entertainment is a genuine part of the experience — not just filler. Pre-show entertainment includes local comedians and musical performances by local Colorado artists. Local bands and performers get their moment on the Red Rocks stage before the film begins — and for many Colorado musicians, it is the most significant performance of their year. Arriving at 6:30 PM doors open means you get the full evening. Arriving at 8:30 PM means missing half of what makes Film on the Rocks special. Plan accordingly — and the smart Red Rocks travel tips guide covers arrival timing in full detail.
The film itself plays on a large screen set up on the Red Rocks stage, with sound delivered through the venue’s speaker system. Open captions are provided for all films, making Film on the Rocks one of the most accessible events on the Red Rocks calendar. All screenings take place on Monday evenings — one of the things that makes Film on the Rocks a beloved midweek summer tradition across Denver and the surrounding communities.
2026 Schedule — When to Check Back
Film on the Rocks will be back for its 27th season in 2026. Full schedule information will be available from May 4 onward. Sign up for email updates through the Film on the Rocks official page to get the lineup the moment it drops — Film on the Rocks dates and film announcements tend to generate a lot of search and conversation and tickets move fast once the schedule goes live.
Based on previous seasons, expect five to six Monday evening screenings running from late June through late August. Check the full 2026 Red Rocks events schedule regularly for updates as Film on the Rocks dates are confirmed alongside the rest of the summer calendar.
Past Screenings — What Kind of Films to Expect
Film on the Rocks has never been predictable in the best way. The series curates a mix of cult classics, crowd-pleasing family films, and beloved modern movies — always with an eye toward what works in a shared outdoor setting with 8,000 people. Past screenings have included fan favorites like The Sandlot, Beetlejuice, Legally Blonde, Black Panther, and The Avengers — films that draw passionate audiences and hold up to repeated viewings.
Among other popular movies, Shrek 2 has been screened in recent seasons. Movies that make everyone happy—movies that people are familiar with, that elicit reactions from the audience, and that feel genuinely larger on a screen at Red Rocks than they do anywhere else—are what unite them. Nothing compares to watching a movie like Willy Wonka or 2001: A Space Odyssey outside under the stars with thousands of movie buffs, as one frequent visitor put it. It is the epitome of a Colorado summer night—it is culture and community.
Whatever the 2026 lineup ends up being, the film itself is almost secondary to the experience of being at Red Rocks on a summer Monday night with the sky turning from gold to deep blue above the sandstone formations. The Red Rocks photo spots guide is worth reading before your first Film on the Rocks night — the pre-show light at the venue is extraordinary for photography.
Tickets — Affordable, Accessible, and Worth Buying Early
Film on the Rocks tickets remain some of the most affordable on the eclectic Red Rocks calendar, driven by a conscious commitment to accessibility. Tickets are typically $25 and go on sale on Fridays at 10:00 AM MT ahead of each screening. For a summer evening at one of the greatest venues on earth — with pre-show live entertainment, open captions, and a beloved film on a massive screen — $25 is one of the best value entertainment experiences in Colorado.
Tickets are available through the official Red Rocks website and AXS. Buy early — Film on the Rocks screenings regularly sell out, especially for the most popular films. Once the May 4 schedule drops, move fast on any dates you want to attend.
Accessibility and Community — What Sets Film on the Rocks Apart
Unlike most Red Rocks events, Film on the Rocks has a sincere community mission. For many years, Denver Film has collaborated with members of Colorado’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities to make Film on the Rocks accessible to everyone who attends. Every movie screening has open captions, a dedication that reflects the series’ larger inclusive ideals.
Film on the Rocks also gives local artists and performers an opportunity to play on the iconic Red Rocks stage and connect with Colorado audiences. Submissions for pre-film entertainment for the 2026 season are now open for local bands and performers. This is a series that actively invests in the local Colorado arts community alongside the headline experience — and that makes attending it feel like part of something larger than a single movie night. For accessibility information at the venue itself, visit Red Rocks park information.
What to Bring to Film on the Rocks
Film on the Rocks is a relaxed, family-friendly event — but Red Rocks is still Red Rocks, and the altitude and Colorado summer weather require proper preparation. Here is what to pack:
Layers. Summer evenings at Red Rocks cool down faster than most first-timers expect. A warm afternoon in Denver can mean a chilly 55-degree evening at 6,450 feet by the time the film ends around 10:30 PM. Bring a jacket regardless of the forecast. Always check the National Weather Service forecast the morning of your Film on the Rocks night.
A blanket or cushion. Red Rocks seating is stone bench seating. Comfortable for a 90-minute concert can become uncomfortable over a two-hour film. A small folding cushion or a blanket to sit on makes a significant difference in how you feel by the end of the night.
Snacks and drinks. Food and beverages are available at the venue but bringing your own snacks is fully permitted and adds to the movie night atmosphere. Check Red Rocks park rules for the current permitted items list before packing your bag.
Your phone charged with the Red Rocks app. Digital ticketing with touchless entry, park and venue maps, and visitor tips are all available through the official Red Rocks app. Download it before you leave home and your entry experience will be seamless.
An open mind about the film. Film on the Rocks sometimes announces the movie only a few weeks in advance. Part of the charm is showing up for the experience of being at Red Rocks on a summer Monday — the film is a wonderful bonus rather than the entire reason you are there.
Why Car Service Makes Film on the Rocks Even Better
Film on the Rocks takes place on Monday evenings — which means leaving Denver during the tail end of rush hour traffic on a weeknight. The Morrison Road approach to Red Rocks backs up on show nights regardless of the day of the week, and parking is free but staff will guide you to the best available lot — meaning you walk uphill regardless of where you end up. After a film that runs until 10:30 PM, the post-show exit queue adds more time to an already long Monday.
A professional red rocks car service through Red Rocks Voyager removes every one of those variables. Door-to-door pickup from anywhere in Denver. A driver who knows the Morrison route and the best timing for Monday evening show nights. No parking lot stress. No post-film exit queue. Just you, the film, the sandstone, and a comfortable ride home at the end of the night. Read how car service handles Red Rocks traffic and see the full Red Rocks parking guide to understand exactly what you are skipping.
Film on the Rocks is a family-friendly event. Coming with kids, parents, or a mixed-age group? A denver to red rocks car service through Red Rocks Voyager means everyone — from young children to elderly family members — arrives and departs comfortably without navigating uneven terrain in the dark. Explore luxury SUV transfers to Red Rocks for family and small group bookings. For larger groups, private group shuttle options are available too.
Fixed pricing — no surprises. Check pricing here before you book. Red Rocks Voyager charges a locked-in rate from the moment you confirm — no surge pricing when the film ends and 8,000 people open their apps simultaneously.
Round trip handled from the start. Book your private round-trip car service to Red Rocks for your Film on the Rocks date and both legs of the evening are sorted before you leave home. View all available services and check the FAQs if you have any questions.
Flying into Denver for the summer? Red Rocks Voyager covers red rocks shuttle , car service denver to red rocks and denver airport to red rocks transportation from Denver International Airport directly to the venue. Read the Denver airport to Red Rocks transportation guide and the stress-free ride to Red Rocks guide for complete trip planning details.
Tips for Your Film on the Rocks Night
Arrive at 6:30 PM when doors open. The pre-show live entertainment starts at 7:00 PM and is worth being in your seat for. Getting there at doors-open also means finding a great spot before the crowd fills in. The top 10 Red Rocks Amphitheatre tips covers seating strategy for every type of event.
Grab dinner in Morrison before the show. A 6:30 PM door time gives you room to arrive in Morrison by 5:00 PM and enjoy a proper meal before heading up to the venue. Visit Morrison for local restaurant options. The Red Rocks and Golden Colorado guide covers more nearby dining and activity ideas if you want to make a full evening of the trip.
Stay for the whole film. Film on the Rocks screenings end around 10:30 PM depending on the film’s runtime. The full experience — pre-show entertainment, the film, the post-film crowd energy — is worth staying through entirely. Leaving early means missing the best part of a Monday evening at Red Rocks.
Explore the park before doors open. Red Rocks Park is free and open to the public daily. Arriving 30 minutes before doors open gives you time to walk the trails, take photos of the formations in the late afternoon light, and experience the venue before 8,000 other people arrive. Read the hiking at Red Rocks guide and the photo spots guide to make the most of the pre-show hour.
Plan your full summer around it. Film on the Rocks runs five to six Monday nights across the summer. With concert nights filling the rest of the Red Rocks calendar, you can build a Colorado summer where you are at the venue multiple times across different types of events. The best times to visit Red Rocks guide is essential reading for anyone planning a full season of visits. Also check out everything Colorado has to offer while you are in the region, explore the Red Rocks spring 2026 travel guide, and see why more Red Rocks visitors choose Red Rocks Voyager for every type of event — concerts, film nights, yoga, and everything in between. What Denver.org says about Red Rocks captures exactly why Film on the Rocks belongs on every Colorado summer bucket list.
Summer Mondays Just Got Better — Plan Your Film Night Now
Red Rocks Film on the Rocks 2026 is the summer tradition that turns an ordinary Monday into something genuinely memorable. Twenty-seven seasons in, it has earned its place as one of Colorado’s most beloved community events — affordable, accessible, and set against a backdrop that no cinema on earth can replicate. Check back on May 4 for the full 2026 schedule, sign up for email updates through the Film on the Rocks official page, and the moment your dates are confirmed — sort your transportation.
Click → Book your ride with Red Rocks Voyager and make every Film on the Rocks night as easy and enjoyable as the film itself.
