UPDATED May 13 at 9:56 a.m. to be current with the details of the 2024 drive-in season.
With spring moisture steadily sowing green around Colorado, drive-in movie theaters have been polishing their projectors and raking their gravel lots for their annual cinematic gatherings. This weekend, they throw open the gates.
Significantly, these are not pop-up events or free, outdoor screening series on lawns. Those are wonderful — don’t get me wrong — as is Denver Film’s Film on the Rocks series.
But many that sprouted up during the pandemic have gone back underground. And anyway, there’s something special about seeing a movie outdoors from the inside the comfort of your vehicle (or camping chairs), with theater-quality projection and sound, surrounded by people having the same indoor/outdoor experience.
Of course, there are economic headwinds, as CEOs like to say when laying people off. This year, Minturn’s beloved Starlite Mountain Drive-In is taking the year off to focus on its Austin, Texas, operation, on their website. “Please stay tuned because there is still the chance we will bring a few nights of Movies under the stars to Minturn mid-July in some form.”
The Denver Mart Drive-In has also been demolished, subject to new construction on the site of its eponymous, former convention-center neighbor.
In the meantime, here are a few ideas for drive-in movie venues to satisfy your warm-weather cinema needs. See denverpost.com/things-to-do/movies for more movie ideas, news and reviews.
Frontier Drive-Inn
This circa-1955 theater in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley reopened in 2022 after nearly four decades of darkness, The Denver Post reported. The 2024 lineup isn’t posted, but that’s because the schedule for the weather-dependent screenings on its 80-foot screen are “circulated to guests after booking,” according to owners, given that Frontier is also a boutique lodging destination. It features Steelmaster sheds, “the architectural vernacular of our agricultural surroundings … converted to luxury accommodations,” owners said. Screenings typically take place Thursday through Saturday nights, from May through October. Located at 105 E. County Road 11 North, Center.
88 Drive In Theatre
The 48th season of Commerce City’s classic 88 Drive In Theatre kicks off with a blockbuster double bill featuring “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and “Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire” — a surprise since the theater was previously said to be closing. If you’re looking for value, note that kids 12 and under get in for free. 8780 Rosemary St., Commerce City.
Dive-in Movies at Elitch Gardens
OK, the “dive-in” part is corny, but we still like the idea of seeing movies at Elitch Gardens’ Island Kingdom Waterpark. After the rest of the waterpark closes at 6 p.m., people with existing admissions or season passes can line up for the 7:30 screenings in the wave pool (yes, the wave pool!). This year’s screenings include kid-friendly titles such as “Migration” (July 12) and “Wonka” (July 19). Daily admission: $50, or $78 for season passes. Children 2 and under are free. 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver.
Comanche Drive-In Theatre
This consistent favorite — and highest-elevated drive-in movie theater in the U.S. — typically has a smart mix of crowd-pleasers and cult films of all genres lined up. Comanche kicks off its 2024 season on Memorial Day weekend with the family-friendly flick “IF,” and then will show movies Friday through Tuesday until Labor Day. Movies start at dusk — roughly 8:15 p.m. — and admission costs $12 for adults (cash; $15 credit cards), $6 for kids aged 6-12, and free for 5 and under. 27784 County Road 339, Buena Vista.
Holiday Twin Drive-In
Fort Collins’ venerable Holiday Twin has two screens of fantasy, sci-fi and action lined up for mid-May — see throwback favorite “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Planet” and Ryan Gosling’s new action-comedy “The Fall Guy.” Admission to the five-decade-old grounds, which can hold up to 700 cars total, is $9 per adult, and $6 for kids and seniors. 2206 South Overland Trail in Fort Collins.
Best Western Movie Manor
This venue is just what it sounds like — a hotel attached to a historic drive-in, “which means guests can watch movies on the big screen from the comfort of most rooms,” according to its website. The mid-May through mid-September movie season arrives with in-room tables and chairs designed for movie viewing, and a second drive-in screen that guests can visit for free (with hotel reservations, of course). “Hotel guests should call property in advance to verify movie schedule and season dates,” hotel operators wrote. Rooms start at $130 per night. 2830 US Highway 160 West, Monte Vista.
Mesa Drive-In
The double-bills at this 1951 drive-in are mercifully affordable — $11 for adults, and $3 for kids 4-12 — and include both new and familiar titles, like “Kung Fu Panda 4” and 1979’s “Alien.” 2625 Santa Fe Drive in Pueblo.
The Star Drive-In Theatre
The double bill of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” continues this Montrose drive-in’s family-friendly season, with the ticket office opening about 45 minutes before dusk. The site is a historical landmark, having been continuously family-owned and operated for more than 70 years. Adult admission costs $9 and seniors are $7, with kids 11 and under getting in for free. 600 East Miami Road in Montrose.
