Best of Toronto
The Best Video Stores in Toronto
The best video rental stores in Toronto are among the best anywhere in the world, and reflect the city's stature as a global movie Mecca. In Hot Docs and TIFF, Toronto is home to two of North America's most prestigious celebrations of cinema, while a rich variety of regional, religious, and sub-cultural festivals attract enthusiastic audiences on a year-round basis. Video stores, in turn, are important custodians of Toronto's cosmopolitan, film-obsessed culture, providing voracious local cinephiles with the regular sustenance that informs their diverse but discerning tastes.
As the advent of digital distribution continues apace, there is increasing concern that these independent operations may come under threat, particularly as their large-scale counterparts continue to struggle. Indeed, four popular establishments have recently closed (Mr. Movie, West Side Stories) or announced plans to liquidate their inventories - either immediately (Marquee Video), or in the near future (Ammo Video).
Despite these unfortunate exceptions, Torontonians continue to enjoy an enviably vibrant video rental community, in keeping with our proud cinemagoing traditions.
Here are the best video rental stores in Toronto.
Top photos by Michelle Chiu.
Note: This list was previously published in 2008. Comments below made up until February 6, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Queen Video
Now nearing its 30th year of operation, Queen Video remains the reigning monarch of Toronto's indie video scene, thanks to an astronomically large library, and an empire that has grown to encompass both the Annex and Little Italy. With a DVD collection that already dwarfs the competition, Queen Video continues to age gracefully, and has also amassed the city’s largest selection of Blu-ray discs. More »
The Film Buff
With locations in Leslieville and Roncevalles Village, The Film Buff neatly bookends the downtown core, catering to Torontonians both east and west. In addition to a searchable online index of its roughly 30,000 DVDs, and 1,500 Blu-rays, The Buff is known for an impressive collection of hardboiled film noire, as well as for its delicious assortment of soft, dairy-derived treats. More »
Suspect Video
Adjoining the southwest corner of Honest Ed’s, the storied Suspect Video is Toronto’s original genre emporium. Since its founding, in 1991, Suspect has accumulated a hugely extensive and wildly eclectic inventory that caters to most every taste, though classic horror and vintage exploitation remain its lifeblood. Comprehensively steeped in cult film culture, Suspect also offers limited edition action figures, genre-related books, and a selection of graphic novels. More »
Eyesore Cinema
Imagine that TIFF's Midnight Madness program (circa its Uptown heyday) had coalesced into a physical form and set up shop above Rotate This. That’s essentially Eyesore Cinema. Fiercely disdainful of most Hollywood fare, owner Daniel Hanna has lovingly curated Toronto's finest selection of obscure cinematic oddities, for rental and purchase. Lovers of live action futanari take note, Hanna is also happy to place special orders. More »
7-24 Movies & More
Located in the heart of the Church and Wellesley Village (with a second location in Parkdale), 7-24 Movies & More boasts Toronto’s largest collection of LBGT-oriented films, and, indeed, one of the city’s largest film libraries of any description – including some 2,000 Blu-rays. A valuable tip for second-hand shoppers - surplus recent releases (both DVD and Blu-ray) are regularly made available for sale at very reasonable prices. More »
Bay Street Video
Tucked away between an optician and a Tim Horton’s, and at the end of an inconspicuous corridor, Bay Street Video is a genuine cinematic treasure trove. It’s the definitive destination for Toronto film collectors, with over 22,000 DVDs and 1,500 Blu-rays available for sale as well as to rent. In practice, those figures are far larger. For titles not in stock, but still in print, speedy special orders are a Bay Street staple. More »
Videoflicks
Spacious, family-friendly, and supremely well-organized, Videoflicks has been serving midtown movie lovers for more than 25 years. A comprehensive inventory, helpful staff, up-to-date reference materials, and complimentary popcorn all contribute to a browsing experience that’s second to none, while rental rates and durations are, respectively, among the lowest and lengthiest around. More »
Big Daddy's DVD Shop
With decor comprised of retro robots and vintage projectors, The Junction’s leading rental joint is a charmingly compact bastion of film geek chic. Big Daddy’s library is premised on a curatorial, rather than all-consuming, approach, and features what feels like a handpicked selection of documentaries, indie gems, foreign flicks, and Hollywood classics. To get the most bang for your mid-week buck, visit on Tuesday or Wednesday and enjoy two films for the price of one. More »
Discussion
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I mean that in a good way, but also in a bad way. New Releases are consistently OUT for months. I don't know if it's because everyone else is reserving them or if it's just bad timing but it is very frustrating.
but yes, that's where I rent my movies.
They have amazing selection! and really nice categorization by generes, directors, countries, etc.
Staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
They also take requests if you don't find what you are looking for.
Make sure you look out for the "DO NOT TOUCH" signs, they will getcha.
Store is a joke, just hop across to Suspect if you want rare items at human being pricing.
Sonic Boom on Bloor has a great used DVD section, good new music dvds and an OK selection for other New DVD's.
The owner refused to sell things to me and goods were labeled improperly (out of print stickers were on things that WERE NOT out of print, items with Import stickers on them WERE NOT I REPEAT were not out of North America Imports.) He had some cool stuff, but it was just riddled with DO NOT TOUCH signs and he eyed me like a wild hawk preying on his blood meal. I felt really uncomfortable. I am never going back.
I think I was look down upon because of my age. Just because i'm 25, does not mean I am an idiot...I sure was treated like one!
The uppity staff, including the owner, like to pretend they are more intelligent than their customers, which begs the question, "Why are such geniuses "working" in a video rental store?
That 24-7 and More dump on Church St. has employees of similar attitude, but not nearly as good a selection as Bay St. Video (if you consider Bay St.'s numerous defective disks part of that selection).
I once told 24-7 and More that a disk didn't work, and the thmartie-pansths answered: "Well, you could always rent it, again, and see if it works."
What IS it about video store employees? Are they all Cinema Studies failures? Too dumb to make french-fries? Raised by their aunties? Why the big chip? Because they're doing a job that requires about as much intelligence as wetting the bed?
To hell with THEM ALL! Very soon, there will be so much pay-per-view (on your PC!) they'll be looking for work in an equally lunkheaded "vocation" -- selling basketballs to munchkins.
It's automated, and once a member - you have 24 HOUR access to cheap DVDs (starting at $2.50!). They also rent the Nintendo Wii console, Guitar Hero and Wii Fit!
Check em out!
s.
MOVIEXPRESS ALL THE WAY!
-Jilly
Check out www.myvideoflicks.ca ..
P.S. The name of the store is 7-24 Movies & More, not 24-7 you blazing idiot. Reading a sign is as easy as pissing a bed!
Jesus freakin' christ!!!!!!
Do I have to trapse all the way to Queen West just to rent an artsy fartsy or otherwise non-mainstream video!? What a pain in the ass.
While I'm on a roll I want to warn other poor unfortunates in my rather dull neck 'o' the woods (East York) to NOT rent videos from the video rental place at Pape and Floyd (Next to TD bank branch). Rude, shit service from grumpy old lady! I rented Kill Bill 2 from them....DVD was scratched and wouldn't play...I return video and lady would not give me in-store credit or refund. Nice.
The selection of films is fantastic and she will always be able to point you to some obscure gem. There are regular deals for documentaries and foreign films. She has sells a mean ice-cream :)
From what I saw the prices were high but you find the same thing with books and cds. It's cheaper to buy online because ur buying straight from the warehouse, as are the owners of these independent stores. They have to make a profit to stay afloat and can't possibly compete with prices online, or with megastores like walmart who can afford to sacrifice profit on certain product to draw traffic and maximize their profit with other products.
I'm a student on a budget and I understand the dent in your wallet this store can make but the wealth of knowledge this guy has about classic films is incredible and any film junkie would be losing out to not at least take a visit for themselves and see the incredible collection of films.
These will all be bankrupt within the next year.
Mr. Video has been around since the early '80s - it even weathered Major Video's 'flagship' store that opened (and closed) about a block away. I'd say he is doing something right. But, hey, you're the expert.
Your smug "all these stores will be bankrupt in a year" scenario is wholly inaccurate and is proof that you actually have no idea what you are typing about. For people who truly enjoy cinema and love to immerse themselves in the experience, a physical video store with a great selection and environment is second to none. A computer screen can never replicate the ritualistic interactive process of browsing, holding a case, selecting a film, asking a real person for recommendations etc. If movies to you are simply something you look at to pass the time and you delve no deeper than this, any downloaded piece of free pacification will certainly do. Those who want something of substance and want to support an industry they dearly wish to see continue put their time and money where their love is. Otherwise, as movies are more and more undervalued, seen as throwaway, watched and then deleted, the quality will suffer. We will live in a world where indies no longer get funded and only the biggest, brashest, sure fire movies get made. The sleeper will be put to sleep for good. It's shameful when people proclaim their undying love for a director or musician with rants and raves but have never actually supported them in a way that will see them continue producing. A collection of burned DVDs doesn't make you a fan. There is already a growing backlash against this mindset and people ARE returning to the video store. And many of us out here never left.
Wish I were back at Yonge and Eglinton sometimes - Film Fest was fantastic - great selection and knowledgeable but non-snooty staff.
615-C Brock.AV. 416-516-1222
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Let me know if you guys really want to buy cheap movies.
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OK... Then my only option was to take my chances in this morning. At 10:04 I called them to see if it had been sold since the drive from Pickering to downtown was not easy... Was told that it was still available but again could not reserve it for me nor put it aside. So the drive with fingers crossed and trying to find a parking spot... All very uncomfortable. Finally got into the store to be told that the copy that just arrived was being held for someone... Not me - but someone else... What happened to the first come first serve? Hence the new name of We Suck Big Time Video... What an absolute waste of time... Not to mention wasted gas... Pollution. Most unprofessional.
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Just as many displays were quite plain, but the information was spot on, and the graphic look
didn't clutter or confound.
looking for an old movie, from Mal Depritivi
called Pensiero d'amore, do you have it?
thks