How Meta: Denver’s DeVotchka will perform before the classic it scored: ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ at Red Rocks

The 27th season of Denver Film’s popular Film on the Rocks summer series will kick off June 8 with a screening of the timeless fairy-tale adventure “The Princess Bride” under the stars at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. The evening promises to be a bittersweet unofficial tribute to the recently departed director, Rob Reiner.

The signature “always on a Monday” film series brings proven family friendly titles to one of the world’s most iconic outdoor venues. The 2026 slate includes anniversary screenings of the indie darling “Little Miss Sunshine” (20 years) and “Bridesmaids,” the empowering comedy that proved women can be just as crass on screen as men (15 years). 

Part of the fun every year is a short pre-show concert that showcases cleverly matched local bands. In an absolutely perfect programming stroke, the “Little Miss Sunshine” headliner will be DeVotchKa, which provided the majority of the original score and soundtrack for the film. Still one of Denver’s most beloved bands, DeVotchka not only infused the film with its signature Eastern European orchestral sound, it was nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for best compilation soundtrack.

The five-film slate includes the groundbreaking Academy Award-winning horror film “Sinners” (June 22) and wraps up Aug. 10 with the Steven Spielberg blockbuster “Jurassic Park.”

Each screening will again be emceed by local comedian and actor Janae Burris. And again, an additional featured standup comedian (chosen by Denver’s Comedy Works) will perform.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. each night with pre-show entertainment at 7 p.m. and all films (except “Sinners”) starting at 8:30 p.m. (That’s 30 minutes later than last year.)

Other featured local bands will include School of Rock, The Reminders, Wheelchair Sports Camp and May Be Fern.

“Film on the Rocks is one of those quintessential Colorado summer experiences. Iconic films, live music and a vibrant crowd all coming together at Red Rocks,” said Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith. “This year’s lineup really leans into that mix of nostalgia and big-screen fun, and we can’t wait to kick things off.”

Tickets ($25) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday (May 1) at denverfilm.org. Reserved VIP seats will cost $50. Group sales are available by emailing [email protected].

The films at a glance

• ‘The Princess Bride’ (June 8): Beautiful Princess Buttercup and dashing Westley overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. Performance by School of Rock.

• ‘Sinners’ (June 22): Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Performance by The Reminders. Note: 8 p.m. start.

• ’Little Miss Sunshine’ (July 13): In this dark comedy, Greg Kinnear plays Richard Hoover, a struggling motivational speaker trying to sell his “9-Step Refuse to Lose” program while his dysfunctional family travels to California in a Volkswagen bus for his daughter’s beauty pageant. Performances by Wheelchair Sports Camp and DeVotchKa. Presented in partnership with Sundance Film Festival.

• ‘Bridesmaids’ (Aug. 3): Annie (Kristen Wiig), who is broke and single, tries to navigate the competitive and expensive role of maid of honor for her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph). Performance by May Be Fern.

• ‘Jurassic Park’ (Aug. 10): In Steven Spielberg’s massive blockbuster, paleontologists played by Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are chosen to tour an island theme park populated by dinosaurs created from prehistoric DNA. You know what happens next. With a pre-show presentation by National Geographic explorer Tyler Lyson.

• Read more about DeVotchka
• Read more about May Be Fern
• Read more about Jenae Burris