Amelie CameronCraving a cinematic experience beyond the blockbusters? Look no further than the top independent theaters in Toronto that offer off-the-beaten reels, giving audiences a chance to venture into the unknown.
Prepare yourself for unique storytelling, compelling storylines, and a whole different world like no other. Grab your popcorn – a rare cinematic experience is about to unfold in front of your very eyes!
1. Paradise Theatre
Website: https://paradiseonbloor.com
Address: 1006c Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1M2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-306-8134
One can trace the roots of the legendary Paradise Theatre all the way to the late ‘30s when it first graced the Bloorcourt Village area. Today, it’s still thriving as one of the best independent theaters in the city.
This cool enclave maintains its classic facade, adding a historical delight to the neighborhood.
Contrary to what one would expect, Paradise Theatre hosts an exciting mixture of arts performances aside from cinema. Going beyond the world of film, this hip establishment also offers a wide array of live performances including deeply moving musical shows.
2. Revue Cinema
Website: https://revuecinema.ca
Address: 400 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M9, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-531-9950
Having been built in the late 1910s, Revue Cinema is considered the oldest operating cinema in the city. Surprisingly, it still maintains its former glory, conserving its vintage allure.
This unassuming location serves as an entertainment hub for those with a penchant for film. They screen a lot of old titles, many of which are cult classics like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Before trilogy, Fallen Angels, and the like.
They also showcase animated shows like Ratatouille, Happy Feet, and Cowboy Bebop, ensuring there’s something here for any kind of movie enthusiast.
For the complete event schedule, just give their website a visit.
3. Kingsway Theatre
– Media credit: @elvira
Website: http://kingswaymovies.ca
Address: 3030 Bloor St W, Etobicoke, ON M8X 2Y8, Canada
Another exciting addition to the Bloor neighborhood is the Kingsway Theatre, boasting yet again a classic exterior that can invoke a sense of nostalgia.
Unexpectedly, they host a lot of newer titles like Godzilla Minus One, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Killers of the Flower Moon. But, of course, their screenings go far beyond the blockbusters.
In fact, you can expect to see foreign films and documentaries just as much as you’d catch the latest release.
Needless to say, Kingsway Theatre is another Toronto gem that offers broad film genres, catering to every kind of moviegoer.
4. Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Website: https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/watch-cinema
Address: 506 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-637-3123
Stylishly named Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, this buzzing mecca for documentaries beckons to anyone who likes to see the world from a different lens.
There are a wide array of films you can catch right now like Bye Bye Tiberias about four Palestinian women and Break the Game, a captivating watch about gamer culture.
They’re also home to the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, an annual event that showcases more than 200 radical documentaries from all over the globe.
If you’re a filmmaker, feel free to submit your work on their website. While they’re currently not accepting any submissions, at least you can keep your eyes peeled for any announcements!
