If you’re sick of the limited options and overpriced tickets and snacks that Cineplex has to offer don’t worry, Toronto has plenty of other cinema options. Here’s a list of some of the city’s best spots to take in a film and support a local business.
The Revue, 400 Roncesvalles Avenue
The Revue is one of Toronto’s oldest cinemas, first opening its doors in 1912. I’ve seen everything from silent films, to special screenings of films like Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man, to recent Hollywood films like Trumbo here. The Revue has a diverse schedule, trivia nights, and can be rented by groups for special screenings.
The Royal, 608 College Street
Like the Revue, the Royal programs new and retrospective screenings, and hosts NOW magazine’s Monday Night Movies. Their schedule makes it possible to watch 90s flicks like Drop Dead Gorgeous in the same night as the latest Pixar movie. They also rent out for special and private screenings, so if you NEED to see Mad Max on a big screen for the 10th time they can make it happen.
Kingsway Theatre, 3030 Bloor Street W
A great low key theatre for west side folks, the Kingsway programs films that you didn’t get around to seeing four months ago when they were in the big theatres, documentaries, foreign films and nostalgia screenings. It’s never busy so you’re pretty much guaranteed the best seat in the house. Bonus: they have a liquor license so if you really want to unwind grab a cocktail or a beer on your way into the theatre, or two.
Bloor Hot Docs Theatre, 506 Bloor Street W
This is the best place in the city for all you documentary lovers. They’re home base for the Hot Docs Film Festival, but they are dedicated to screening documentaries throughout the year. So, if you didn’t manage to get a ticket to the Kurt Cobain documentary during the HDFF never fear, they screened it for a month after the festival closed, and they’re also licensed.
The Fox, 2236 Queen Street E
If you can drag yourself all the way out to the beaches, or you’re already out there this is a great theatre for catching up on what you missed in the big theatres, or see an international or indie flick. The Fox also takes part in smaller film festivals throughout the year, my last experience there included Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy so keep an eye on their schedule.
Regent, 551 Mt Pleasant Road
This theatre, dating to the 1920s primarily screens international and indie films. Although the exterior is unassuming don’t be fooled, the Regent is a great resource for people a bit further north in the city who don’t want to trek all the way downtown for film fare that’s further of the beaten path.