List of cinemas in Toronto explained

This is a list of cinemas that exist or have existed in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Academy TheatreBloor and Lansdowne193419651
Albion CinemasAlbion and Kipling3Shows Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil and Bengali films.
Alhambra568 Bloor Street, west of Bathurst191019861Also known as the King George, Baronet, and also the Eve, a porn cinema.
AMC Kennedy Commons 20Kennedy and 4011998data-sort-value=2012August 201220
Avalon Theatre2923 Danforth west of Victoria Park192619551Clyde Theatre until 1930
Avenue TheatreEglinton and Avenue193819551
BackstageYonge and Bloordata-sort-value=1970 c1970data-sort-value=2000 c20002Opened as part of the conversion of Loew's Uptown into a multiplex, but reached by a separate entrance; originally considered part of that multiplex, and called the Uptown Backstage.
Bay TheatreQueen and Bay191019651Earliest purpose built cinema in Toronto.
Bayview TheatreLeaside193619611Later was a live theatre venue known as the Bayview Playhouse. Now a drug store.
Beach TheatreThe Beaches191919701Remodeled into a shopping centre.
Cineplex Cinemas Beaches (formally Alliance Atlantis Beaches)1651 Queen Street East, Queen and Coxwelldata-sort-value=19991999data-sort-value=9999present6Built on the site of the former Greenwood Racetrack.
Beaver TheatreThe Junction191319611
Bellevue TheatreOn College St. near Brunswick193719581
Biltmore TheatreYonge and Dundas194819771
Birchcliff TheatreBirch Cliff194919741
Bloor TheatreBathurst and Bloor191919571Originally Allen's Bloor Theatre, Famous Players acquired it in 1923 and operated it until 1957. Became the Blue Orchid nightclub and has been Lee's Palace music venue since 1985.
Bloordale Theatre (later known as State)1606 Bloor St W at Dundas St W193719681Building in use as commercial space
Bohemian TheatreYonge St at Elm StreetClosed1
Brighton TheatreRoncesvallesClosed1Building is in use as a convenience store
Broadview TheatreBroadview and Gerrard194119451
Broadway Theatre75 Queen St West191919651Was originally The Globe burlesque and vaudeville; renamed the Roxy in 1933 and Broadway in 1937; was burlesque and film until its demolition for Sheraton Hotel.
Cameo TheatrePape and Floyd East York193419571
Capitol Fine Arts TheatreYonge and Eglinton192319981Converted to an event venue in 1998.
Carlton CinemaYonge and Carlton1981data-sort-value=9999present9Focus on foreign and independent film. Closed in 2009 by Cineplex Odeon; reopened in 2010 under the ownership of Rainbow and Magic Lantern Cinemas,[1] and acquired by Imagine Cinemas in 2016.[2]
Carlton TheatreParliament and Carlton193019541Not to be confused with the far more famous Odeon Carlton; this was a much smaller theatre on Parliament Street just north of Carlton Street. After closing as a movie house, it was used as a CBC studio and is currently the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre.
Cedarbrae Cinemas 8Markham and Lawrence196920038
Centre TheatreBathurst and Dundas193519771
CinecityYonge and Charles196619751
Cinema Lumière (see Garden Theatre)College at Spadina1
Cinema At The Toronto Dominion CentreToronto Dominion Centre196719781
Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk 10North York Centre1999data-sort-value=9999present10Formerly a SilverCity and Empire Theatres from 2005 to 2013.
Cineplex Cinemas Queensway and VIPThe Queensway2001data-sort-value=9999present15-5VIP Cinemas opened in January 2014. Formerly Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Cinemas Yonge & Dundas Cinemas10 Dundas East2008data-sort-value=9999present24Most screens ever in the City of Toronto. Formerly AMC Yonge & Dundas 24
Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town CentreGolden Mile2000data-sort-value=9999present16
Cineplex Odeon MorningsideSheppard and Morningside1997data-sort-value=9999present11
Cineplex Odeon Sheppard GrandeYonge and Shepparddata-sort-value=2013Relocated to Empress Walk in June 2013
Cineplex Odeon Varsity CinemasManulife Centre1974data-sort-value=9999present2-12Includes some luxury "VIP" theatres.
Circle TheatreNorth Toronto193319561
Classic Theatre (originally named "The King's Royal Theatre")Greenwood and Gerrard191419571As of Dec. 1, 2017, it is The Redwood Theatre
Cineplex Cinemas ScarboroughScarborough Town Centre1998data-sort-value=9999present12Features Xscape Entertainment Centre and two Party Rooms.
College TheatreCollege and Ossington192419671
Comique TheatreYonge and Dundas190819141
Community Theatre1202 Woodbine Ave. East York193719551
Coronet TheatreYonge and Gerrard195119831Originally named the Savoy; became the Coronet in 1963. Well known grindhouse in the 1970s. Now, a jewellery store.
Cumberland FourYorkville19812012[3] 4Specialized in independent and foreign films and was a mainstay venue for the Toronto International Film Festival. Owned by Famous Players until 1997 when it was sold to Alliance. Owned and operated by Cineplex from 2005 until close.[4]
Danforth Music HallDanforth and Broadview191920041Originally named Allen's Danforth. Later, The Century, and also Titania. Now a live music venue.
Donlands TheatreDonlands and O'Connor1Currently a recording studio.
Don MillsDon Mills and Lawrence Ave (Don Mill Shopping Centre)1
Downtown TheatreYonge and Dundas194819721Current site of Yonge-Dundas Square.
Dufferin Drive-InDufferin and Steeles195019841
Eastwood Theatre1430 Gerrard Street East (near Ashdale Avenue)192719851Later was the Naaz[5] and then the India Centre mall.[6] In 2015 it was heavily renovated and converted to apartments with retail on the ground floor.[7]
Eaton Centre CineplexToronto Eaton Centre1979200117-21First venue in the Cineplex chain. Originally known as "Cineplex 18", then expanded to "Cineplex 21", then four auditoriums were combined into one. Considered the world's first megaplex.
Eclipse TheatreCabbagetown194719511
Eglinton TheatreEglinton and Avenue Road193620031Converted to an event venue.
Elane TheatreEglinton and Danforth196319851
Elgin TheatreQueen and Yonge1913data-sort-value=19801980s1Originally part of a twin live theatre, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. When the upstairs Winter Garden closed in 1928, the lower theatre was converted to a cinema, which was known variously as Loew's, the Elgin, and the Yonge. It was then closed and both theatres were restored and are now theatre venues.
Famous Players Canada SquareCanada Square1985data-sort-value=99992021[8] 8
FinchFinch at Dufferinclosed3
Fox TheatreThe Beaches1914data-sort-value=9999present1Oldest theatre in continuous operation in Toronto.
Garden Theatre (later known as Elektra, Cinema Lumiere, Chang's)290 College St, near Spadina191619861Opened as the Garden Theatre, so named because of its roof garden. It was a vaudeville venue before becoming the Garden Cinema in 1937.[9] In 1950, the second floor was converted into the Garden Billiard Academy and then in 1960 the New Garden Billaird Academy. The cinema on the first floor was renamed the Elektra in 1965, closing in 1969. The entire building served as a pool hall until 1972 when Cinema Lumiere, a repertory art cinema, opened and operated until 1980 when it became Chang's Theatre, a Chinese cinema featuring "Taiwanese porn with religious overtones". Chang's closed in 1983. 18 months later, the venue again became Cinema Lumiere in 1985, featuring art films, foreign and alternative films but closed again in 1986 when its roof collapsed during a rainstorm. The building later became a computer store and then a Home Hardware.[10] [11]
Gay TheatreParliament and Dundas1950s1
Glendale TheatreAvenue Rd between Lawrence and Wilson194719741Showed Cinerama features. Demolished.
Golden ClassicsSpadina and Queen1977data-sort-value=19901990s1Chinese cinema. From 2010 to 2012 the building was home to the Toronto Underground Cinema.
Golden Mile Plaza TheatreVictoria Park and Eglinton195419862
Granada Theatre417 Danforth Avenue19601
The Grand Gerrard TheatreJones and Gerrarddata-sort-value=1911 c1911[12] data-sort-value=9999present1Converted from two houses to a theatre that in 1911 the theatre known as The Bonita has gone through many incarnations since the 1970s (Greek, Hong Kong, Bollywood, Tamil) before becoming an independent cinema hub devoted to art, schlock, indie and foreign programming from around the world.

Has also been known as The Wellington, Krishna Cinema, Sri Lakshmi and Gerrard Cinema before re-opening in 2011 as an art house cinema, the Projection Booth. In 2013 it briefly closed due to a falling out among its owners and then re-opened as The Big Picture with Jonathan Hlibka as sole proprietor but closed as of 2016.[13] It reopened in April 2019 as The Grand Gerrard Theatre.[14]

Griffin's Agnes St. Theatre72 Agnes St. (Dundas)data-sort-value=1909 1909Closed1
Griffin's Hippodrome219 Yonge Stdata-sort-value=1907 1907Closed1
Griffin's Majestic219 Yonge Stdata-sort-value=1910 1910Closed1
Grover TheatreDanforth and Maindata-sort-value=1920 Early 1920sdata-sort-value=1963 c19631
Hollywood TheatreYonge and St. Clair193019992The first theater built to show "talkies"
Hot Docs Ted Rogers CinemaBathurst and Bloor1941data-sort-value=9999present1Built in 1941 on the site of the Madison Theatre (1913), which was demolished in 1940. Known as the Midtown, Capri, Eden and Bloor Cinemas. Took the name Bloor when the old Bloor, now Lee's Palace, closed. Today, it is operated as the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, with documentary films predominantly featured, but also a host to other film festivals. Purchased by the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in 2016, using a $4 million gift from the Rogers Foundation, and was rebranded as the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.[15]
Humber CinemasBloor St W at Jane St1948data-sort-value=990320194One of the five original Odeon theaters built in Toronto. Closed in 2003 due to poor attendance. Reopened in April 2011 by Rui Pereira (owner of the Kingsway Cinema).[16] Expanded from 2 to 4 cinemas in 2012. Permanently closed in May 2019.[17]
ImperialYonge and Dundas19271988 1-6Originally a single cinema and vaudeville house called the Pantages; renamed the Imperial in 1930 and exclusively a movie house; converted 1973 to the 6-screen Imperial Six; converted back to single-screen Pantages 1987; closed 1988 and eventually converted to become one of Toronto's main stage venues, first called the Pantages again, then the Canon, and now the Ed Mirvish Theatre.
International Cinema2061 Yonge Stdata-sort-value=1933 c1933data-sort-value=1987 c19871Originally the Oriole.
Island TheatreToronto Islandsdata-sort-value=1949c.194919551
Joy TheatreQueen and JonesClosed1Today, a restaurant.
Kingsway TheatreBloor St W at Royal York1939data-sort-value=99062006; 2009–present1Today, running first run and recent releases.http://www.kingswaytheatre.com/
LakeshoreNew Toronto1
Lansdowne TheatreBloor and Lansdowne193619581
LightboxKing and John2010data-sort-value=9999present5Headquarters for the Toronto International Film Festival. Plays retrospectives and series as part of TIFF Cinematheque, along with new releases of independent, foreign, and Canadian films.
Madison (1913)Bloor St W at Bathurst191319401Demolished in 1940 and replaced by Midtown Theatre (known today as Hot Docs)
Madison4950 Yonge St., north of Sheppard
Market SquareFront and Jarvis1983data-sort-value=9999present6Opened as the Cineplex Odeon Market Square, now the Imagine Cinemas Market Square
Metro TheatreBloor and Christie193920133Has been an adult movie theatre since 1978; the last such cinema in Toronto. In August 2012 it was announced that the Metro would become home to the art schlock indie foreign cinematic model under the same management of Projection Booth. However, after a falling out among the owners, The Metro closed permanently in December 2013.[18] [19]
Mount Pleasant CinemaMount Pleasant and Eglinton19261Opened in 1926 as the Hudson Theatre.
New Yorker TheatreYonge and Bloor1919unknown1Opened as the Victoria in 1919. Demolished, but some of the facade used in the Panasonic Theatre on the site.
Northeast Drive-In TheatreSheppard Avenue East and Victoria Park19471976[20] 1
North West Drive-In TheatreDixon Road and Highway 40119481977[21] 1
Nortown875 Eglinton Av W at Bathurst194819741
Odeon1558 Queen St. W near Queen and Lansdowne[22] 191919681Not connected to the Odeon chain. Now a F45 gym.
Odeon CarltonYonge and Carlton194719731Demolished.
Odeon DanforthPape and Danforth1947unknown2Now a fitness centre.
Odeon FairlawnYonge and Lawrence194719852Demolished.
Odeon HylandYonge and St. Clair194820032Demolished.
Odeon YorkYonge and Eglinton19692001[23] 2Closed due to a court decision about accessibility. Became an event venue, then a fitness club, then a condo sales center, then demolished 2012.
Ontario Place CinesphereOntario Place1971data-sort-value=99122012 – closed as part of government decision to close Ontario place. Reopened 2017–present.1The world's first permanent IMAX theatre.
Opera HouseQueen and Broadview19091Today, a music venue.
Orpheum TheatreQueen and Bathurst1
Oxford TheatreDanforth and Coxwell1928 (renovated May 1937)1
Palace TheatreDanforth and Pape192419873
Paradise TheatreBloor and Dovercourt1937[24] present1Built on the location of the 1910 Bloor Palace (renamed The Kitchener in 1918). Reopened in late 2019.
Park TheatreYonge and Lawrence192119841Opened as the Bedford Theatre. Renamed Park Theatre in 1949.
Parkdale TheatreQueen St W at Roncesvalles192419701Building still exists and is used as an antique furniture market.
Parkway Drive-inWoodbine and Steeles1
Parliament TheatreParliament and Gerrard192919631
Pickford TheatreQueen and Spadina19101940s1Opened as the Auditorium in 1908. Was renamed the Avenue Theatre in 1913.
Plaza TheatreHudson's Bay Centre197620012
Prince of Wales TheatreDanforth and Woodbine192719661
Radio CityBathurst and St. Clair193619751
Red MillYonge and Queen1906unknown1Toronto's first "permanent" movie theatre. Originally named the Theatorium.
Regent TheatreDavisville1927data-sort-value=9999present1Formerly the Crest.
Revue CinemaRoncesvalles1912data-sort-value=9906present1The Revue is the oldest purpose-built movie theatre presently operating in Toronto. The Revue operated continuously from 1912 to 2006. It re-opened in 2007 under new ownership and is managed by a non-profit organization.
Rialto TheatreYonge and Shuterdata-sort-value=1901Early 20th century1
Rio TheatreYonge and Gerrard191319911Opened as The Big Nickel Theatre in 1913. By 1922 it had been renamed National Theatre and was renamed Rio Theatre in 1943 serving as a grindhouse until it closed in 1991.
Robinson's Musee TheatreYonge and Adelaide (91-93 Yonge Street)189019051Originally a curio museum, this hall was the site of the first screening of a motion picture in Toronto on August 31, 1896.[25] On the second floor, it had a curio shop and waxworks, and the roof had an animal menagerie. It changed hands several times, was renamed the Bijou[26] and was the first site of Shea's Theatre. Destroyed by fire in 1905.
Roxy TheatreThe Danforth193620063Opened as the Allenby Theatre.
Royal Alexandra TheatreTheatre District1Major performing arts venue that also served for a time as a cinema.
Royal CinemaCollege Street between Grace and Clinton1939data-sort-value=9999present1
Runnymede TheatreBloor St W at Runnymede192719992Converted first to a Chapters book store, then to a Shoppers Drug Mart, it retains most of the original interior decoration.
Scarboro960 Kingston Road at Victoria Park193619671Was for a time a pool hall and then a sports bar. Today, rebuilt as condos.[27]
Scarboro Drive-In TheatreKennedy Road at Ranstone Gardens (south of Lawrence Avenue East)1952data-sort-value=1979late 1970s1Claimed to have the biggest screen in Canada. Included a "kiddieland". Now the site of Jack Goodlad Park and community centre.[28]
Scotiabank Theatre TorontoJohn and Richmond1999data-sort-value=9999present14Originally named the Paramount. Features a bar and arcade. Licensed for beer in cinema.
The Screening RoomBloor St W at Royal York1Was located above the Kingsway Theatre and earlier was called the Kingsway 2.
Shea's HippodromeQueen and Bay190919541Former vaudeville theatre that became one of Canada's largest cinemas.
Sheraton CentreSheraton Centre19741990s2Designed as a first-run theatre by Toronto-based architectural firm Searle, Wilbee, Rowland. Seating was provided for 682 & 344. Was a live cabaret venue for a short period. Now used as conference rooms.
Sherway CinemasSherway Gardens1971200113Replaced by Queensway in 2001. Now a Sears store.
SilverCity FairviewFairview Mall1970data-sort-value=9999present9Originally Cineplex Odeon Fairview, became Rainbow Cinemas Willowdale from 1988 to 2008 with 8 screens. The theatre features a Screening Room and Lounge.
SilverCity Yonge-EglintonYonge and Eglinton1998[29] data-sort-value=9999present9
SilverCity YorkdaleYorkdale Shopping Centre1963data-sort-value=9999present3?-10First shopping mall cinema in Canada. Rebuilt 1999 at a new location in the mall.
Skyway 6 CinemasAirport Road198019996
Standard TheatreSpadina and Dundas192119941Began as a Yiddish live theatre, becoming a cinema in the mid-1930s first as the Strand, then as the Victory. Was a live burlesque theatre from 1959 until the mid-1970s. As the Mandarin and the Golden Harvest was a Chinese-language cinema from the late-1970s until it closed.
Stanford TheatreQueen and Spadinadata-sort-value=1901Early 20th century1
Teck TheatreQueen and Broadview1
Tivoli TheatreYonge and Richmond19651Site of the first talking film in Toronto in 1928.
Towne CinemaYonge and Bloor194919851
Underground CinemaSpadina and Queen20102012[30] 1Repertory cinema opened in what was formerly the Golden Classics venue.
University Theatre100 Bloor Street West194919861For a time the largest cinema in Canada. Demolished except for the facade, which was incorporated into a store.
Uptown TheatreYonge and Bloor192020033-5Originally the single-screen Loew's Uptown Theatre. Converted into one of the world's first multiplexes. At that time the Backstage Theatre, then called the Uptown Backstage, was considered part of it. Eventually closed due to a court decision on accessibility, and demolished.
Victory (see Standard Theatre, above)Northeast corner of Spadina and Dundas
Warden Woods725 Warden Ave at St. ClairClosedmultiple
Westwood TheatreBloor and Kipling195119983Demolished.
Willow TheatreYonge and Ellerslie1950s1987Demolished; site is now a condominium.
Woodside CinemasMcCowan and Finch1977data-sort-value=9999present3Currently shows Hindi, Tamil, and Punjabi films.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.xtra.ca/blog/national/post/2010/02/18/Torontos-Carlton-Cinema-to-re-open-in-June.aspx "Toronto's Carlton Cinema to re-open in June"
  2. News: Camping for a cause: Movie-goers help raise money for Fresh Air Fund. Ferenc. Leslie. 2016-07-06. The Toronto Star. 2017-10-28. en-CA. 0319-0781.
  3. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/05/06/toronto-cumberland-theatre-closing.html "Cumberland theatre closing after 30 years in Yorkville"
  4. http://www.toronto.com/article/726915 "AMC could be next in Toronto's movie theatre shakeup"
  5. News: Mudhar . Raju . Grand Gerrard Theatre brings a 100-year-old tradition back to life - Correction. 3 June 2019 . . 21 May 2019.
  6. Web site: Plummer . Kevin . Historicist: Nights Out At The Naaz Theatre . . . 3 June 2019 . 29 January 2012.
  7. News: Hudson . Andrew . Dinner and a movie the start of the Gerrard India Bazaar . 16 June 2015 . Beach Metro Community News . Ward 9 Community News . 3 June 2019.
  8. Web site: Beloved Toronto movie theatre shuts down after more than three decades of flicks. blogTO. Jack. Landau. October 2021. October 26, 2021.
  9. Web site: Toronto's old movie theatres–the Garden Theatre on College St.. 29 September 2012. tayloronhistory.com.
  10. Web site: Cinema Lumiere: Promoting Toronto's Alternative Art Community : Local Film Cultures . 2014-09-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140911214601/http://www.localfilmcultures.ca/?page_id=430 . 2014-09-11 .
  11. Web site: Chang's Theatre in Toronto, CA - Cinema Treasures. cinematreasures.org.
  12. "Insurance Plan of Toronto Vol 6, Plate 440", Chas. E. Goad, 1913.
  13. Web site: Projection Booth Cinema mired in internal conflict. blogto.com.
  14. News: Mudhar . Raju . Grand Gerrard Theatre brings a 100-year-old tradition back to life . 3 June 2019 . . 20 May 2019.
  15. Web site: Hot Docs Receives $5-Million Gift From Rogers Foundation. Hot Docs. June 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160813131506/http://www.hotdocs.ca/news/hot-docs-receives-5-million-gift-from-rogers-foundation. August 13, 2016. dead.
  16. Web site: The Humber Cinema Is Set To Return. Torontoist. Stephen Michalowicz. September 22, 2010. April 6, 2011.
  17. Web site: Humber Cinemas' last picture show is Thursday as condo projects claim another landmark. Peter Howell. Toronto Star. May 30, 2019. May 30, 2019.
  18. News: Gale. Kimberly. Toronto's last porn theatre goes back to its roots. 3 October 2012. CBC. Aug 15, 2012.
  19. News: Metro Theatre closes, ending an era of porn cinema in Koreatown. CBC News .
  20. Web site: Toronto Drive-In Theatres: the show starts at dusk - The Star. thestar.com. 27 November 2015.
  21. Web site: North West Drive-In, Toronto, ON, Canada - Facts & Highlights. drive-ins.com.
  22. Web site: Early Cinema Filmography of Ontario (ECFO) - Events & Conferences. www.imagearts.ryerson.ca.
  23. Web site: Vintage Toronto Ads: Coming Christmas Day—The Odeon York!. December 20, 2011. Torontoist.
  24. Web site: About Paradise . Paradise Theatre . 5 October 2019 . In 1910, the “one-storey brick theatorium” Bloor Palace is built on the corner of Bloor and Westmoreland. The venue is renamed The Kitchener in 1918 ... Paradise Theatre is born in 1937, built in the Art Deco and Art Moderne styles under the direction of one of Toronto’s earliest practising Jewish architects, Benjamin Brown. The new venue had 643 seats ....
  25. Web site: Toronto's first movie screening and first movie theatre. March 13, 2013.
  26. Web site: That time when the movies came to Toronto. www.blogto.com.
  27. Web site: The Golden Age of movie houses. 9 September 2014.
  28. Web site: Scarboro Drive-In in Scarborough, CA - Cinema Treasures. cinematreasures.org.
  29. News: Globe and Mail. 1998-11-07. D11. Indigo bookstore advertisement.
  30. Web site: Toronto Underground Cinema to close. Johnny Larocque. blogTO. August 16, 2012. August 16, 2012.