The upcoming outdoor summer-film season is proof-positive that “Barbie” has more staying power than Plutonium-239. (Sorry, “Oppenheimer.”)

You won’t find any nuclear families spreading out a blanket and a picnic basket at the local park to relive the life story of the A-bomb’s daddy. Because no one is showing it. “Barbie,” on the other hand, will be challenging gender norms on nine summer screens from downtown Denver to Fort Collins.

You will also have plenty of opportunities to see “Elemental,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Wonka” and “Shrek.” Meanwhile, I’ll be in my happy place at screenings of “Dazed and Confused,” “The Goonies” and “Super Troopers.”

It’s hard to go wrong with any movie under the stars. The only really bad error in programming judgment I found on the summer calendar is Infinity Park showing “Independence Day” … on Independence Day weekend (July 2). (Maybe they’ve forgotten that the White House gets blown up in that film.)

Then again, when Film on the Rocks showed “Independence Day” a few years back, the Red Rocks crowd cheered wildly at that unsettling scene. Good thing no one will be showing “Civil War” in the park this summer!

The films at a glance:

Film on the Rocks: Denver Film and the City of Denver’s always-on-Mondays summer series turns 25 after a bit of an audience bounceback in 2023, which featured four sellouts. Next up are family favorites “Shrek” (June 24 but already sold out) and “The Wizard of Oz” (being shown for the first time ever at Red Rocks on July 8). The tone then shifts darkly for “Deadpool’ (July 15) and the post-apocalyptic adventure “Mad Max: Fury Road” (Aug. 19). This year’s lineup of pre-screening concerts by local bands includes School of Rock, Doc Sadler Band and the winner of an upcoming “Battle of the Bands” contest sponsored by Molson Coors. No concert before “The Wizard of Oz,” though — that will be preceded by an undisclosed pre-show event with National Geographic. All tickets $20.

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 l it: Dancing Aliens Park) between the Bonfils Theatre Complex and Boettcher Concert Hall. This year’s theme is animation, with a lineup including “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (June 24); “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (July 9); “The Triplets of Belleville” (July 23); “The Incredibles” (Aug. 6); and, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (Aug. 20). There will be live, themed music curated by Dazzle before each film at 7 p.m., along with food trucks, costume contests, craft cocktails and more.

“Outdoor Movies at the Lyric”: The best-curated summer film series of them all, hands down, is in Fort Collins. For $8-$12, you get a local band and this rock-solid slate, almost always on Fridays: “The Matrix” (June 14); “The Monty Python & the Holy Grail Quote-Along” (Thursday, June 20); “Pulp Fiction” (June 28); “Jaws” (July 5); “The Goonies” (July 12); “Barbie” (July 19); “Dumb and Dumber” (July 26); “Predator” (Aug. 2); “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (Aug. 9); “Dirty Dancing” (Aug. 16); “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” (Aug. 23); “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Aug. 30); “The Fifth Element” (Thursday, Sept. 5); “Twilight” (Sept. 13); “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (Sept. 20); “The Thing” (Sept. 27); and, “Hocus Pocus” (Saturday, Oct. 5). 1209 N. College Ave.

McGregor Square again will be showing free movies (sometimes even during the day) right across from Coors Field: “Top Gun” (1 p.m.) and “Top Gun: Maverick” (3 p.m.) double feature (July 4); “The Force Awakens” (noon) and “The Last Jedi” (3 p.m.) double feature (July 20); “Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3” (6 p.m. Aug. 8); “Barbie” (6 p.m. Aug. 22); and, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2:30 p.m. Sept. 28). 1901 Wazee St.

Ironton Distillery: For some reason, this RiNo hooch house is not yet cleared to tell you its titles outright, but the clues on its website leave no doubt the late-fall lineup of “school-themed classics” will bring “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (Aug. 3); “Juno” (Aug. 17); “Mean Girls” (Aug. 31); “Dazed and Confused” (Sept. 14); and, “Grease” (Sept. 28). 3636 Chestnut Place.

Historic Elitch Theatre: A quintessential Denver experience is watching films on the grass outside the Old Globe-like that theater preservationists have been sloooooowly trying to save for 40 years. Remaining films are “Barbie” (July 5) and “Wonka” (Aug. 2). 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.

Rainbow Cult will host a free, all-ages, all-day “To Wong Foo Festival” on June 15 on the lawn in front of the Historic Elitch Theatre culminating in a (ticketed) screening of the drag classic “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” in the theater, where the first moving pictures were shown in Colorado. (Edison’s Vitascope premiered at the Elitch Theatre in 1896.) Newmar actually performed on the Elitch Theatre stage in 1968. The film will be preceded by a drag performance by Jessica L’Whor.

“Dive-in” Movies at Elitch Gardens: 7:30 p.m. films at the theme park’s Wave Pool: “Migration” (July 12); “Wonka” (July 19); and, “Monsters, Inc.” (July 26). Free with any park admission or season pass. 2000 Elitch Circle.

Film on the Field at Stanley Marketplace: Visit Aurora presents free films on the last Saturday of every month: “Hunger Games, Ballad of Songbird & Snakes” (July 27); “Ghostbusters, Frozen Empire” (Aug. 31); and, “A Million Miles Away” (Sept. 28). 2501 Dallas St.

Movies & Music in the Park (Golden): Three free films and live music at Parfet Park in downtown Golden, starting July 5 with “Shrek,” preceded by live music from Matthew Rising. “Elemental” follows Aug. 2 with a live set from Eric Golden. “Barbie,” perfectly matched with Denver’s most fashionable band, Dressy Bessy, finishes things on Sept. 6.

Westminster Movies in the Park: This is a series that moves from film to film: “Super Pets” (June 30, Fireman Park);  “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (June 14, Westminster High School); “Wish” (July 12, Amherst Park); “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Aug. 23, Legacy Ridge Golf Course); and, “Migration” (Sept. 13, McFall Park).

Movie Nights at Infinity Park (Glendale): “The Marvels (June 24); “Independence Day” (July 2); “Trolls Band Together” (July 8); “Barbie” (July 22); and “Halloweentown” (Oct. 14). 4400 E. Kentucky Ave.

Northglenn Neighborhood Nights: Food trucks, concerts and free films at rotating locales: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (July 18, Danahy Park; concert by Biff Gore Trio); “Barbie” (July 24, Northglenn Festival Lawn, concert by Jacob Larson Trio); “Wonka” (Aug. 1, Malley Park, concert by Jerry & Joy Trio); and, “The Little Mermaid” 2023 (Aug. 7, Central Park at Fox Run; concert by Montage Trio). Each gathering starts with a 5:30 p.m. meet-and-greet with Northglenn city council members.

Movies in the Park (Thornton): Free films in rotating parks: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (June 15, Highridge Court Park); “The Wizard of Oz” (June 29, Community Park); “Jungle Cruise” (July 13, Fallbrook Farms); “Elf” (July 19, Cherry Park); “Raya and the Last Dragon” (July 27, Carpenter Park); “How to Train Your Dragon” (Aug. 9; Highridge Court Park); and, “Elemental” (Aug. 17, Trail Winds Park).

Movies on the South Green: Free films in Central Park: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (June 7); “The Color Purple 2023” (June 21); “Barbie” (July 5); and, “Elemental” (July 19). 2823 Roslyn St.

Avanti Movie Nights: Outdoor screenings on Thursday nights at Avanti Food & Beverage Hall: “The Princess Bride” (June 13); “Top Gun: Maverick” (June 20); “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (June 27); “The Sandlot” (July 4); “Barbie” (July 11); “Dodgeball” (July 18); “Moulin Rouge” (July 25); “Anchorman” (Aug. 1); “Super Troopers” (Aug. 8); “Shrek” (Aug. 15); “Animal House” (Aug. 22); “Legally Blonde” (Aug. 29); “Happy Gilmore” (Sept. 5); and, “Mean Girls” (Sept. 12). 3200 Pecos St.

Evergreen Buchanan Park Movie Nights: Free movies, food trucks, games and live music: “Migration” (June 29); “Barbie” (Aug. 30); “Blue Beetle” (Sept. 27); and, “Haunted Mansion” (Oct. 19). 32003 Ellingwood Trail.

Food & Flick Friday (Firestone): The town welcomes area families back to school with an Aug. 9 screening of “James And The Giant Peach” at Settlers Park. With food trucks.

At the drive-in …

88 Drive-In: Yes, the metro area’s last drive-in somehow survived an off-season stay of execution and for now plays on in all its dingy Commerce City glory. Current offerings are anyone’s guess. Definitely one is “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” The website lists the second feature as “If,” but that title is written under a “Garfield Movie” poster. So, roll the dice. Scheduled for later in the summer are “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and more. 8780 Rosemary St.

Indoors but still cool …

If you want a unique (and cool!) moviegoing experience this summer, check out “The Princess Bride” with the Colorado Symphony at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The movie plays on four screens accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by Jason Seber playing the Mark Knopfler score. (Wait, how did I not know that is a Mark Knopfler score?!) This is the first time that very same score has been specially arranged for a symphony orchestra. I generally really (really!) hate to quote marketing materials, but the Colorado Symphony got it right when it says: “Missing this cinematic concert experience would be inconceivable!”

And for future planning: The Symphony will give the same treatment to “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” on Sept. 21-22.

To be announced …

RegiRama Films on the Quad: Regis University’s signature summer film series will return in a scaled-back way (down from three films), but school officials say details will not be announced until July. 3333 Regis Blvd.

Lowry Bike-In Movie Nights: Denver Beer Company will be back with free movies and (not free) food and beer, but dates and titles have not yet been finalized. 7070 E. Lowry Blvd.