Best of Toronto
The Best Place to Watch a Film in Toronto
It's amazing how many times I've looked online for movies at my local 30 screen mega-cinema-complex and have not been able to find a SINGLE movie I was even remotely interested in watching. Just thinking about it blows me away - THIRTY screens and not a single film of any real cinematic substance.
Fortunately Toronto has a healthy antidote of independent single-screen cinema gems sprinkled throughout the city. These cinemas reek of charm, history and community and play a healthy selection of foreign, independent, classic or recently released films; while not costing an arm and a leg.
There is so much freedom now that goes into deciding where, how, and when to watch a film. For decades independent cinemas have battled with new technology and the convenience of movies at home through tapes, DVDs, downloads, movie channels and pay-per-view. Many cinemas have closed and more may fall, but the remaining have survived because of a dedicated community of movie-goers that love the full experience of the movies, from the moment your ticket is purchased to the short walk home.
The Top 12 Best Places to Watch a Film in Toronto as voted by our readers covers cinemas and alleys from one side of the city to the other, from 800 seat giants to intimate gatherings in the living room of a house.
Above photo by Joseph.
Bloor Cinema
The Bloor Cinema has been a Toronto landmark for over 100 years and remains the host to many of the best film festivals in the city. With an irreplaceable balcony, a massive screen, beautiful curtain and more than 800 seats, it's both an experience and a real bargain. More »
The Royal
Recent renovations to the Royal maintained the charm and elegance of the theatre while improving it's sound, cleanliness and comfort. In the heart of Little Italy, it's a no-brainer addition to a night out on the town. More »
Cinematheque
Cinematheque films are chosen from a diverse programme designed to present the history of world cinema. Cinematheque is a division of Toronto International Film Festival Group and films are screened at Jackman Hall in the AGO. More »
The Revue
The Revue was opened in 1912 and still screens movies for 1980s prices, tickets are $6.50 for adults, $5 for children/seniors. All adults must purchase a membership, at $6 for six months. The revue is a community-run not-for-profit cinema. More »
Camera Bar
The intimate theatre at Camera Bar has a capacity of 50 people and screens a wide variety of films throughout the year. More »
NFB Mediatheque
Established in 2002, the National Film Board of Canada Mediatheque is a unique cinema viewing experience in the city. The state state-of-the-art multimedia facility with touch-screen personal viewing stations as well as a 80-seat Cinema. The NFB screens films from the NFB catalog and other sources. More »
Fox Cinema
The Fox has been showing movies continuously since 1914. This East end single- screen gem was refurbished last year and typically screens foreign films or slightly-used mainstream film. More »
Regent
Opened as the Belsize Theatre in 1927 for silent films, the Regent has continuously reinvented itself. It now is the home of Theatre D Digital post-production and exhibition centre during the day and screens movies on evenings and weekend. More »
Mt. Pleasant
With the Regent close-by, Mount Pleasant Road can boast a healthy selection of old neighborhood theatre. Mt. Pleasant seats over 350 patrons and has a unique charm and class all of its own. Call daily for show times and screenings.
Reg Hartt's Cineforum
The Cineforum is located inside the home of Reg Hartt. Impossibly hard to miss posters litter the city advertising regular screenings for Dali Film Fest, Wizard of Oz/Darkside of the Moon, Radiohead Kid Dracula, Ayn Rand's Fountainhead and many more. More »
Trash Palace
Self-proclaimed "Toronto's Classiest Cinema," Trash Palace fairly regularly presents 16mm, 8mm or super 8 feature films and shorts. The location is "secret" but printed on advance tickets you can purchase at Tequila Bookworm, 512 Queen St. W, only a few blocks from Trash Palace Theatre. More »
Discussion
10 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
what about CINSSU Free Friday Films, you ponce wankers?!
I wish Reg would show some new stuff...
Blame theater "suits" (regional/area/district managers). They decide which theater plays which film... and that also depends on location and demographics.
Sigh, I remember the Runnymede. Now a nice Chapters but 10 yrs. ago one of the nicest cinemas in town.
I remember the Parkdale theatre on Queen St. W. just east of Roncesvalles for first run movies, and second run movies at the Brighton on Roncesvalles at Galley.
Rob Duffy:
I offer tons of new stuff during the week, Monday thru Thru Thursday.
Just because you have seen a program do not assume it should end. There are millions of people in Toronto. People also come to The Cineforum from all around the world to see our special programs. We are in several guides as a must see place.
As well, you are welcome to make suggestions. You can even come on board as a guest programmer.
We have just acquired many (most) of Ken Russell's films. New to the collection are the films of Bruce La Bruce as well as Pedro Almodovar's scandalous LUCI, PEPI AND BOM which outraged all of Spain and launched his career. On the way also is LABYRINTH OF PASSION.
FYI: The Cineforum website has moved to: http://www.cineforum.ca/-Nima
http://www.cineforum.ca/
Yay! We're #11!
Sorry, but I also like big multiplexes like the Scotiabank Theater, the Yonge & Dundas AMC, although these ones are great too.