Cathy MerrittThere’s a certain charm to going to a movie theatre to watch the latest blockbuster or enjoy a thought-provoking independent film that just can’t be replicated by anything, even by the most famous streaming services.
In Toronto, the cinemas and movie theatres continue to thrive as its locals continue to search for that certain charm. The city has an extensive list of movie theatres, from corporate giants like Cineplex to independent ones like Hot Docs.
For loyal moviegoers who understand and love the charm of big screens and comfy red seats, here’s a list of the top movie theatres in Toronto that you should visit at least once!
TIFF Lightbox
Address: Floor 1, Festival Tower, 350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5, Canada
Website: https://tiff.net/
Contact details: 888 258 8433
TIFF Lightbox is the headquarters for the Toronto International Film Festival, so it’s one of the best movie theatres in Toronto to go to when you want to check out the films participating in the festivals.
The movie theatre has five cinemas that use modern and top-notch technology. The films screened in the theatre are specially curated, so the selection is pretty unique from other movie theatres, and you’ll likely find films you won’t find elsewhere.
Before your show starts, you can browse through the movie theatre’s film reference library and galleries or eat some good meals at the bistro and restaurant. There are also some workshops and programs aimed at film buffs!
| Pro Tip: It’s best to wear pants and bring a sweater or jacket if you get cold quickly because it can get pretty cold inside the theatre. But if the theatre is pretty packed, you won’t really have to worry about the cold that much. |
Scotiabank Theatre
– From @canada_streetphotos
Address: 259 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M6, Canada
Website: https://www.cineplex.com/theatre/scotiabank-theatre-toronto
Contact details: (416) 368 – 5600
The Scotiabank Theatre is one of the most popular movie theatres in Toronto. It’s been around since 1999 and was one of the venues for the Toronto International Film Festival, so it’s hard for it not to come up when we’re talking about theatres.
The theatre is a 14-screen multiplex, allowing it to house a large audience and screen almost all the latest films you can think of. It has UltraAVX, IMAX, D-Box, Screen X, and RealD 3D screens, which are perfect for a premium movie experience in Toronto!
Its D-Box and ScreenX auditoriums are the highlights of this movie theatre. D-Box allows you to experience realistic motion, while ScreenX offers a 270-degree panoramic view of the movie, helping you immerse yourself more.
| Pro Tip: If you visit the movie theatre on a Sunday or after 4 PM on Monday to Thursday, you can get discounts on parking fees if you park below the theatre at the Parkway lot. The discount can go as high as 50% off, so don’t miss out! |
Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP
– From @dionyorkie
Address: 10 Dundas St E #402, Toronto, ON M5B 2G9, Canada
Website: https://www.cineplex.com/theatre/cineplex-cinemas-yongedundas-and-vip
Contact details: (416) 977 – 9262
Cineplex is Canada’s largest and most reputable cinema chain, so there’s really no way we can complete this list without one of their cinemas. Among their over 150 throughout Canada, the Yonge-Dundas and VIP branch remains one of the best ones in Toronto.
The cinema offers UltraAVX, IMAX, 4DX, RealD 3D, and D-BOX screens. The 4DX screen is one that you shouldn’t miss because it offers a unique multi-sensory cinema experience, meaning you can feel motion, water, wind, and more while watching.
The Yonge-Dundas Movie Theatre is also one of the select Cineplex cinemas that offers VIP cinemas. These special cinemas provide access to their VIP lounge, where you can get various cocktails and desserts and choose a meal from a specialty menu!
| Pro Tip: If you’re trying the 4DX auditorium, make sure that the seat in front of you doesn’t have a coat or jacket hanging on it. The jackets may block the effects of the movie, such as wind since they will be coming from there. |
Imagine Cinemas Market Square
Address: Market Square, 80 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1T4, Canada
Website: https://imaginecinemas.com/cinema/market-square/
Contact details: (416) 214-7006
If you’re looking for an enjoyable and comfortable movie theatre without the hefty price tag, Imagine Cinemas in Market Square is for you. Although it’s relatively smaller compared to other cinemas, it doesn’t fall behind when it comes to movie experience.
This cinema has reclining leather seats as their standard seats to make sure the audience feels comfortable while watching, regardless of which auditorium they’re in. The seats are also relatively big, giving you more space to move.
They also sometimes play independent films you won’t find in bigger cinemas in the city. They add new movies to their weekly screening list, so you can expect something new almost every week!
| Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the crowd, avoid coming to the first-week screening of the film and come in the second or third week. There are usually far fewer people, as they typically go for the newer movies on the list. Make sure to contact them first though to confirm how long they’ll screen the film. |
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Address: 506 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3, Canada
Website: https://hotdocs.ca/
Contact details: [email protected]
For those who love documentaries and independent films, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema is the best movie theatre to go to. It’s focused on supporting documentary filmmakers, but it also holds independent film festivals and screens special fiction films.
Each year, they hold the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, where they screen over 200 films from around the world. It’s the best time of the year to visit the movie theatre as there will be lots of options to choose from.
The best thing about Hot Docs is it’s highly accessible even for those with disabilities. Their films have captions, and the theatre has an app that lets viewers listen to the film’s audio directly from their phone, which is helpful for those who are hard of hearing.
| Pro Tip: They offer membership for patrons, so do check that out if you like the movie theatre. Members get discounts for screenings, access to free events, early booking windows for the Hot Docs Festival, and more. |
The Royal
Address: 608 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B4, Canada
Website: https://theroyal.to/
Contact details: (416) 466-4400, [email protected]
Established in 1939, the Royal is another decades-old movie theatre in Toronto that continues to provide its patrons a premium film viewing experience. It’s also the primary host of some film festivals, like the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival.
It screens several independent films, documentaries, and some second-run features, so it’s the perfect venue for those tired of mainstream Hollywood films. While it isn’t as big as other cinemas, the experience it provides can absolutely compete with them!
The movie theatre doubles as a venue for live performances, mostly comedy shows. This means you can watch a film during the day and then watch a good comedy show at night, all in one place!
| Pro Tip: If you’re a wheelchair user, it’s highly recommended to arrive about 30 minutes before your show time. This can help the staff check the most suitable seats for you and plan the best route possible for you to arrive at your seat. |
Fox Theatre
Address: 2236 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1G2, Canada
Website: https://www.foxtheatre.ca/
Contact details: 416 691 7335, [email protected]
Fox Theatre is the oldest continuously operating movie theatre in Toronto. It’s probably the movie theatre that most Toronto locals know of, though the older ones probably know it by its past names, such as Pastime & The Prince Edward.
This movie theatre specializes in screening second-run films, independent and foreign films, and some classic Hollywood films. Despite only having a single screen, the theatre screens numerous films, so there are many options for picky movie enthusiasts.
If you’re worried the experience won’t be on par with more modern cinemas, you don’t have to! It has plush seats, wide leg rooms, and a great sound system, so the experience isn’t inferior to more expensive and modern cinemas!
| Pro Tip: If you’re from the area or would like to visit the movie theatre frequently, consider getting an annual membership. It comes with a $3 discount on tickets, free movies during your birthday month, access to member-only screenings, and more! |
