Last year, our parks were packed with pink. This year, they will be green as grass.

The summer of 2024 was all about “Barbie.” But the upcoming outdoor film season is all about “Wicked.” From downtown Denver to Brighton to Evergreen, moviegoers will be getting Elpha-bosed and Galinda-fied on the blockbuster hit of 2024. “Wicked” will be shown at least seven times in area parks this summer. And audiences will no doubt be singing along. The (original) Elitch Theatre screening is the only one actually encouraging people to do so. (It’s calling it a singalong, so you can’t fairly shoot your blanket neighbor the stink-eye when she defies hitting the high notes on “Defying Gravity.”)

You will also have plenty of opportunities to see variations of “Top Gun” “Wonka,” “Shrek” and “The Wild Robot,” this summer. Meanwhile, I’ll be in my happy place at screenings of “The Goonies” and “Donnie Darko” surrounded by funky people and funkier art at The Lyric in Fort Collins.

It’s hard to go wrong with any movie under the stars on a mild Colorado summer night. Most will have food trucks. Live music. Kids activities. Some community building. Grab a blanket and your friends and join the party. The more the “movier.”

The films at a glance:

• Film on the Rocks: Denver Film and the city of Denver’s always-on-Mondays summer series at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison is serving up family favorites in 2025, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (June 23 with music by The Martini Shot and comedy by Steve Gillespie); “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (June 30 with music by School of Rock and comedy by Janae Burris); “Legally Blonde” (July 7 with music by blankslate and comedy by Hannah Jones); “Shrek 2” (Aug. 18 with a pre-show “Shrek Rave” and comedy by Georgia Comstock. All tickets $25.

• Outdoor Movies at the Lyric: The best-curated outdoor summer film series is always at the Lyric in Fort Collins. For up to $12, you get a local band and an expanded outdoor program that now offers a free mystery horror movie every Monday night, a not-free surprise title of some such every Wednesday night, and the Lyric’s enduring, rock-solid (almost always) Friday film slate that this year includes “The Rocky Horror Picture Show (June 20 and July 25); “Footloose” (June 27); “Jurassic World Rebirth” (July 4); “The Goonies” (July 25); “Twilight” (Aug. 15); “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (Aug. 22); “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (Sept. 5); “Mean Girls” (Sept. 12); and “Donnie Darko” (Sept. 19). 1209 N. College Ave.

• Monday Night Movies (Edgewater): Second-best lineup is a darkhorse. (This lineup was literally announced five minutes before this story went to press). Free outdoor screenings return to the Edgewater Public Market for a fifth summer of free outdoor screenings: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (July 14); “Pride & Prejudice” (2005 version, July 21); “The Wild Robot” (July 28); “Rebel Without a Cause” (Aug. 4); “Pitch Perfect” (Aug. 11); “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (Aug. 18); “When Harry Met Sally” (Aug. 25); “Almost Famous” (Sept. 8); “Labyrinth” (Sept. 15); “Good Will Hunting” (Sept. 22); “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (the 2024 version, Sept. 29) and “Hocus Pocus” (Oct. 6). Screenings at sundown.

• Sunset Cinema: Denver and Denver Film also partner on a free Tuesday film series at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in that little concrete nook above Sculpture Park (or, as I call it: Dancing Aliens Park) between the Bonfils Theatre Complex and Boettcher Concert Hall. This year’s theme is “Notable Quotables,” with a lineup including: “Forrest Gump” (music by The Diamond Empire Band, June 24:) “The Greatest Showman” (July 8 with the Denver Gay Men’s and Feminist Choruses); “The Princess Bride” (July 15 with the Crimson Pirates); “The Goonies” (Aug. 5 with DJ Cyn); “Bridesmaids” (Aug. 19 with the Chaos Bloom Improv Theater Company). Food trucks, costume contests, craft cocktails and more. Films at 7 p.m.

• McGregor Square again will be showing free movies at 6 p.m.(unless noted) right across from Coors Field: “A League of Their Own” (June 27); a July 4 double feature of “Top Gun” (2 p.m.) and “Top Gun: Maverick” (4 p.m.); “Wicked” (July 24); “Mean Girls” (Aug. 13); and a closing, Aug. 23 double feature of “Shrek” (3 p.m. and “Shrek 2” (5 p.m.). 1901 Wazee St.

• Historic Elitch Theatre: A quintessential Denver experience is watching films on the grass outside the Old Globe-like theater that preservationists have been sloooooowly trying to save for 40 years. The 2025 films are “Drop Dead Gorgeous”; a “Wicked” singalong (5 p.m. Aug. 3) and a “Moulin Rouge” singalong (Sept. 7). Free, with a suggested donation of $5 per person. Youngsters, take note: The original Elitch’s (the only one that matters) is located at 4550 W. 38th Ave. — not downtown.

• ‘Dive-in’ Movies at Elitch Gardens: The Elitch’s that is downtown will show 6:30 p.m. films at the theme park’s Wave Pool: “Tangled” (June 27); “Despicable Me 4” (July 11); “Toy Story” (July 25), and “Lilo & Stitch” (Aug. 11). Free with any park admission or season pass. 2000 Elitch Circle.

• RegiRama Films on the Quad: Regis University’s signature summer film series will feature just two films this year: “Despicable Me 4” on June 20 and “Inside Out 2” on July 18. At 3333 Regis Blvd.

• Music at the Movies (Aurora): The city of Aurora is rolling out a new film series with a “Grease” singalong June 25 at Aqua Vista Park (music by Decades Dance Band); “If” July 9  at Country Lane Park (music by Animal Farm); and “Captain America: Brave New World” July 23 at Mission Viejo Park (music by The Man Cubs).

• Movies & Music in the Park (Golden): Three free films and live music at Parfet Park in downtown Golden start July 5 with “The Wild Robot,” preceded by live music from Earl Nelson & The Company. Also: “Moana 2: (July 11 with Kalama Polynesian Dancers) and “Air Bud” (Aug. 8 with the apparently much-in-movie-demand band The Man Cubs).

• Westminster Movies in the Park: This is a Friday-night series that moves from film to film: “Elemental” (June 27, Westminster High School); “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (July 18, Amherst Park); and “Inside Out 2” (August 29, Legacy Ridge Golf Course).

• Movie Nights at Infinity Park (Glendale): “The Fast and the Furious” (June 27); “Armageddon” (July 2); “Toy Story” (7 p.m. July 14); “Bridesmaids” (July 25); “Madagascar” (Aug. 4); “Monsters, Inc.” (Oct. 13). Kid-themed films start at 7 p.m.; adult pics start at 8:30. 4400 E. Kentucky Ave.

• Northglenn Neighborhood Nights: Food trucks, concerts and free films at rotating locales: “Wicked” (July 17 on the Northglenn Festival Lawn with music by Rumors); “Moana 2” (July 24 at Karl’s Farm; music by Biff Gore Trio); “Paddington in Peru” (Aug. 1 at Danahy Park with music by Jerry & Joy Trio); “Inside Out 2” (Aug. 7 at Larson Park with Dotsero Trio). Each gathering starts with a 5:30 p.m. meet-and-greet with food trucks and Northglenn city council members.

• Movies in the Park (Thornton): Free films and live music in rotating parks: “If” (June 28 with music by Narrow Gauge at Carpenter Park Fields); “Monsters Inc. (July 12 with Groove N Motion at Community Park); “Mufasa the Lion King” (July 26 with Kentucky Straight Band at Trail Winds Park).

• Flix & Kicks in Brighton: All movies begin at 7 p.m. at Carmichael Park following a different kids’ activity starting at 5:30 p.m. “Wonka” (the 2023 version, June 26); “Despicable Me 4” (July 10); “Wicked” (July 24); “Inside Out 2” (Aug. 7).

• Movies on the South Green: Free films in Central Park: “An American Tail” (June 13); “The Wild Robot” (June 27); “The Lost City (July 18); “Hook” (July 25); “Wicked” (August 15). 2823 Roslyn St.

• Avanti Movie Nights: Outdoor screenings on Thursday nights at Avanti Food & Beverage Hall, 3200 Pecos St.: “Jaws” (June 19); “Mama Mia” (June 26); “The Sandlot” (July 3); “Black Panther” (July 10); “Barbie” (July 17); “Happy Gilmore” (July 24); “Wicked” (July 31); “Shrek” (Aug. 7);” White Chicks” (Aug. 14); “Bridesmaids” (Aug. 21); “21 Jump Street” (Aug. 28); “We’re the Millers” (Sept. 4). 3200 Pecos St.

• Evergreen Buchanan Park Movie Nights: Free movies, games and live music, with food trucks: “Finding Nemo” (June 18); “Wicked” (July 2); “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (July 16); “Shrek​” (Aug. 1). 32003 Ellingwood Trail.

• Food & Flick Friday (Firestone): The town welcomes area families back to school with an Aug. 8 screening of “Captain America: Brave New World” in Harney Park, followed by “Coco” (Sept. 12, Settlers Park). With food trucks.

At the drive-in …

• 88 Drive-In: Yes, the metro area’s last drive-in plays on two full years after it was reported to be sold for demolition, so, I guess … never underestimate the dingy glory of old-school cinema purveying in Commerce City. Current offerings are “How To Train Your Dragon” and “Final Destination​ Bloodlines.” 8780 Rosemary St.

Indoors, but still cool …

• If you want a unique (and cool!) moviegoing experience this summer, check out “The Music of John Williams with the Colorado Symphony on June 29 at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre. The program will cover some of the most iconic scores in cinematic history, with selections from “Indiana Jones,” “Schindler’s List,” “Superman,” “Harry Potter,” “E.T.” and more. The entire second act will be dedicated to “Star Wars.” Tickets at axs.com …

• Speaking of Williams, you can watch “Jurassic Park” in full and in concert with the Colorado Symphony on July 19-20 at the Boettcher Concert Hall. The movie will play on four screens accompanied by a live orchestra. coloradosymphony.org …

• Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now”) comes to the Paramount Theatre July 27 for a screening of “Megalopolis,” followed by a Q&A with the audience. “This is the way ‘Megalopolis’ was meant to be seen: In a large venue with a crowd and followed by intense interactive discussions about the future,” Coppola said. ticketmaster.com …

• Denver Film and the MCA Denver are already more than halfway through their second annual Cinema Sundays series at the Holiday Theater. The two remaining 2:30 p.m. screenings are of “Pulp Fiction” (June 22) and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (June 29) at 2644 W. 32nd Ave. Tickets: mcadenver.org … 

End of the reel

• Established previous summer film series that appear to have ended include Denver Beer Company’s Lowry Bike-In Movie Nights, Film on the Field at Stanley Marketplace and one at RiNo’s Ironton Distillery, which is presently closed for a move.

• And, this just announced: Cary Elwes is coming back to the Paramount (again) to talk at a screening of “The Princess Bride.” That’s not till Dec. 27, but tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.