Independent fan guide. Not the official Film on the Rocks, Denver Film, Red Rocks Amphitheatre or City and County of Denver website. Official tickets and info: denverfilm.org.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre · Morrison, CO · Summer movie nights

Film on the Rocks: An Independent Guide to Movie Nights at Red Rocks

Every summer, Denver Film turns Red Rocks Amphitheatre into the best outdoor movie screen in Colorado. Here's how the series works, when it usually runs, how to park, and what to pack. The 2027 lineup hasn't been announced yet.

2027 lineup statusHow a night works

Red Rocks Amphitheatre · 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465

The series

What Film on the Rocks Is

Film on the Rocks is a summer movie series presented by Denver Film together with Denver Arts & Venues, the City and County of Denver agency behind Red Rocks. The screen goes up on the Red Rocks stage, and the crowd fills the same sandstone rows you'd sit in for a concert.

The series has been at Red Rocks for over 20 years. Denver Film says shows draw more than 8,000 people each. 2026 was the 27th edition. The programming leans on cult classics and crowd favorites rather than new releases, and each night opens with live entertainment, often Colorado bands, before the film starts.

It's also one of the cheapest ways into Red Rocks. In 2026, general admission was $25 and VIP reserved seating near the front was $50, with fees included in those prices, according to Denver Arts & Venues. Treat those as last season's prices; 2027 pricing hasn't been announced.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is in Morrison, Colorado, in the foothills west of Denver.

Timing

When the Season Usually Runs

Film on the Rocks is a summer series that typically runs from early June to mid-August, with a handful of nights spread across the season rather than a weekly run. Recent seasons have used Monday nights, which keeps the series clear of the weekend concert calendar.

  • 2026 (27th season): five Monday screenings from June 8 to August 10.
  • 2025: the season included 2001: A Space Odyssey on Monday, June 9, per Red Rocks' event listing.
  • Announcement timing: the 2026 lineup was announced April 30, with Denver Film members getting first access and public sales opening May 1.

That pattern is a good guide, not a promise. Denver Film sets the dates each year, so don't book travel around a guess.

2027 season

2027 Lineup: Not Announced Yet

Denver Film has not announced any 2027 Film on the Rocks films, dates or ticket on-sales. After the 2026 season, Denver Film said it looks forward to doing it all again next summer. We'll update this page once there's an official announcement, and we won't list films or dates before then.

If you want to be ready:

  • Watch Denver Film's Film on the Rocks page. In 2026 the lineup dropped at the end of April.
  • Denver Film members got the first ticket window in 2026, a day before the general public.
  • Be wary of anyone selling "2027 Film on the Rocks" tickets before the official lineup is out.

Looking for something at Red Rocks before next summer? You can browse the current calendar on the BuyTickets Red Rocks Amphitheatre page (independent resale marketplace; prices can be above or below face value).

Red Rocks calendar

Current Red Rocks Amphitheatre Listings

This is a live resale feed from BuyTickets for Red Rocks Amphitheatre events. It doesn't show Film on the Rocks screenings, which Denver Film sells directly at denverfilm.org.

 

Resale listings via BuyTickets.com. Prices may sit above or below face value. 100% buyer guarantee. Questions before you buy? Call 855-855-6777.

Lodging

Where to Stay Near Red Rocks

Morrison has only a few rooms. Slide the map toward Lakewood, Golden or downtown Denver, and keep your booking refundable during summer storm season.

Pin defaults to Red Rocks / Morrison coordinates. Slide the map toward Lakewood, Golden, or downtown Denver when foothills rooms are scarce or non-refundable. Keep cancellation flexibility on storm-prone weeks.

Stay22 embed — commission possible at no extra cost.

Night-of

How a Film on the Rocks Night Works

Here's how the 2026 nights ran, according to Denver Film and Denver Arts & Venues:

  • 6:30 p.m.: gates open. GA is general admission, so people who want a particular row get there early.
  • 7:00 p.m.: pre-show. Live music or a special guest on the Red Rocks stage. In 2026 a local comedian emceed every show.
  • Around 8:30 p.m.: the film. Showtime is set by sunset; one 2026 screening started at 8 p.m.

Denver Film says open captions run at every screening. The movie ends well after dark, so plan for a cool walk out and a slow line of cars leaving the park.

Getting there

Parking and Getting to Red Rocks

Parking

  • Red Rocks says park admission and parking are free.
  • On show days, lots open two hours before doors.
  • Traffic Control assigns your lot, and from some lots it's a real uphill hike. Wear good shoes.
  • Cars left overnight (not moved by 10 a.m. the next day) may be ticketed or towed.

Rides and drop-off

  • Uber, Lyft, taxi and private pickups after the show happen at the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Hwy 93.
  • Free shuttles loop the park on the way in; after the show there's limited service down to the Jurassic Lot.
  • The venue suggests carpooling through DRCOG's WayToGo program.
  • Accessible drop-off and an accessible shuttle use the Upper South Lot (Entrance 3).

Leave more time than you think you need. US-6, C-470 and Morrison Road all bottleneck on a nice summer evening, and the climb from the lots to the upper rows is steep. Take it slow if you're coming from sea level.

Packing list

What to Bring (and What to Leave in the Car)

These come from Red Rocks' posted permitted and prohibited items list, which applies to every event. Rules can change, so check the current list on redrocksonline.com before you go.

Good to bring

  • A blanket up to 40" × 60" (it has to stay in your seating area, off the walkways)
  • A stadium seat or cushion under 18" wide with no legs. Sandstone gets hard after two hours
  • Food in a clear plastic bag of one gallon or less, with fruit sliced
  • Sealed non-alcoholic drinks up to 32 oz, or an empty reusable bottle
  • A soft cooler no bigger than six-pack size (10" × 7" × 7")
  • Warm layers and a rain shell, since foothills nights cool off fast

Leave behind

  • Alcohol, glass and aluminum cans
  • Umbrellas, tarps and camping or sleeping mats
  • Multi-pocket bags, or any bag larger than 13" × 15" × 8"
  • Aerosols, including spray sunscreen
  • Pets (service animals excepted), drones and strollers
  • Pro cameras with removable lenses, laptops and tablets

FAQ

Film on the Rocks FAQ

Is filmsontherocks.com the official Film on the Rocks site?
No. This is an independent fan guide. Film on the Rocks is presented by Denver Film with Denver Arts & Venues at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Official info and tickets come from denverfilm.org.
When is the 2027 lineup announced?
Not yet announced. In 2026 the lineup came out April 30 for a June 8 to August 10 season.
What time does a night start?
In 2026: gates at 6:30 p.m., pre-show at 7 p.m., and most films at 8:30 p.m. 2027 times are not announced.
Is parking free?
Red Rocks says park admission and parking are free. On show days, lots open two hours before doors.
Can I bring a blanket and food?
Yes, within the venue's limits: blankets up to 40" × 60" in your seating area, and food in a clear gallon bag. No alcohol, glass or umbrellas.
Are screenings captioned?
Denver Film says open captions are available at every Film on the Rocks screening.

Sources

Where These Facts Come From

Checked October 16, 2026.