List of cinemas in Toronto

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

Name Location Dates Screens Notes Image
Academy Theatre Bloor and Lansdowne 1934–1965 1
Albion Cinemas 3 Shows Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Bangali films.
Alhambra 568 Bloor Street, west of Bathurst 1910–1986 1 Also known as the King George, Baronet, and also the Eve, a porn cinema.
AMC Kennedy Commons 20 Kennedy and 401 1998–2012 (closed August 2012) 20
Avalon Theatre 2923 Danforth west of Victoria Park 1926–1955 1 Clyde Theatre until 1930
Avenue Theatre Eglinton and Avenue 1938–1955 1
Backstage Yonge and Bloor c1970-c2000 2 Opened 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 Theatre Queen and Bay 1910–1965 1 Earliest purpose built cinema in Toronto.
Bayview Theatre Leaside 1936–1961 1 Later was a live theatre venue known as the Bayview Playhouse. Now a drug store.
Beach Theatre The Beaches 1919–1970 1 Remodeled into a shopping centre.
Beach Alliance Atlantis 1651 Queen Street East, Queen and Coxwell post 1994–present 6 Built on the site of the former Greenwood Racetrack.
Beaver Theatre The Junction 1913–1961 1
Bellevue Theatre On College St. near Brunswick 1937–1958 1
Bell Lightbox King and John 2010–present 5 Headquarters 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.
The Big Picture Jones and Gerrard [1] Circa 1911.[1]–present 1 Converted from two houses to a theatre that in 1911 the theatre has been know 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. Closed as of 2016.[2]

Biltmore Theatre Yonge and Dundas 1948–1977 1
Birchcliff Theatre Birch Cliff 1949–1974 1
Bloor Theatre Bathurst and Bloor 1919–1957 1 Originally 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 W 1937–1968 1 Building in use as commercial space
Brighton Theatre Roncesvalles Closed 1 Building is in use as a convenience store
Broadview Theatre Broadview and Gerrard 1941–1945 1
Cameo Theatre Pape and Floyd East York 1934–1957 1
Capitol Fine Arts Theatre Yonge and Eglinton 1923–1998 1 Converted to an event venue in 1998.
Carlton Cinemas Yonge and Carlton 1981–present 9 Focus on foreign and independent film. Closed in 2009 by Cineplex Odeon; reopened in 2010 under the ownership of Rainbow and Magic Lantern Cinemas.[3]
Carlton Theatre Parliament and Carlton 1930–1954 1 Not 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 8 Markham and Lawrence 1969–2003 8
Centre Theatre Bathurst and Dundas 1935–1977 1
Cinecity Yonge and Charles 1966–1975 1
Cinema At The Toronto Dominion Centre Toronto Dominion Centre 1967–1978 1
Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk 10 North York Centre 1999–present 10 Formerly a SilverCity and Empire Theatres from 2005-2013.
Cineplex Cinemas Queensway and VIP The Queensway 2001–present 15-5 VIP Cinemas opened in January 2014. Formerly Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Cinemas Yonge & Dundas Cinemas 10 Dundas East 2008–present 24 Most screens ever in the City of Toronto. Formerly AMC Yonge & Dundas 24
Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Golden Mile 2000–present 16
Cineplex Odeon Morningside Sheppard and Morningside 1997–present 11
Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Grande Yonge and Sheppard Closed and relocated to Empress Walk in June 2013.
Cineplex Odeon Varsity Cinemas Manulife Centre 1974–present 2-12 Includes some luxury "VIP" theatres.
Circle Theatre North Toronto 1933–1956 1
Classic Theatre Greenwood and Gerrard Closed 1 Today, Centre Of Gravity Vaudeville Theatre and Circus Training Studio
Coliseum Scarborough (unofficially Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough) Scarborough Town Centre 1998–present 12 Features Coca-Cola Freestyle, Xscape Entertainment Centre and two Party Rooms.
College Theatre College and Ossington 1924–1967 1
Comique Theatre Yonge and Dundas 1908–1914 1
Community Theatre 1202 Woodbine Ave. East York 1937–1955 1
Coronet Theatre Yonge and Gerrard 1951–1983 1 Originally named the Savoy; became the Coronet in 1963. Well known grindhouse in the 1970s. Now, a jewellery store.
Cumberland Four Yorkville 1981-2012[4] 4 Specialized 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.[5]
The Music Hall Danforth and Broadview 1919–2004 1 Originally named Allen's Danforth. Later, The Century, and also Titania. Now a live music venue.
Donlands Theatre Donlands and O'Connor 1
Downtown Theatre Yonge and Dundas 1948–1972 1 Current site of Yonge-Dundas Square.
Dufferin Drive-In Dufferin and Steeles 1
Eastwood Theatre Greenwood and Gerrard 1927–1972 1 Today, the India Centre.
Eaton Centre Cineplex Toronto Eaton Centre 1979–2001 17-21 First 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 Theatre Cabbagetown 1947–1951 1
Eglinton Theatre Eglinton and Avenue Road 1936–2003 1 Converted to an event venue.
Elane Theatre Eglinton and Danforth 1963–1985 1
Elgin Theatre Queen and Yonge 1913–1980s 1 Originally 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 Square Canada Square Complex 1985–present 8
Fox Theatre The Beaches 1914–present 1 Oldest theatre in continuous operation in Toronto.
Garden Theatre (later known as Elektra, Cinema Lumiere, Chang's) 290 College St, near Spadina 1916-1986 1 Opened as the Garden Theatre, so named because of its roof garden. It was a vaudeville venue before becoming the Garden Cinema in 1937.[6][6] 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.[7][8]
Gay Theatre Parliament and Dundas 1950s 1
Glendale Theatre Avenue Rd between Lawrence and Wilson 1947–1974 1 Showed Cinerama features. Demolished.
Golden Classics Spadina and Queen 1977–1990s 1 Chinese cinema. From 2010-2012 the building was home to the Toronto Underground Cinema.
Golden Mile Plaza Theatre Victoria Park and Eglinton 1954–1986 2
Granada Theatre 417 Danforth Avenue Closed 1960 1
Grover Theatre Danforth and Main Early 1920's- abt 1963 1
Hollywood Theatre Yonge and St. Clair 1930–1999 2
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Bathurst and Bloor 1941–present 1 Built 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 hosting many of Toronto’s popular film festivals and also offering programming of interest to the cinema’s loyal following. 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.[9]
Humber Cinema Bloor St W at Jane St 1948–2003; 2011–present. 4 One 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).[10] Expanded from 2 to 4 cinemas in 2012.
Imperial Yonge and Dundas 1927–1988 1-6 Originally 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.
Island Theatre Toronto Islands c. 1949–1955 1
Joy Theatre Queen and Jones Closed 1 Today, a restaurant.
Kingsway Theatre The Kingsway 1939–2006; 2009–present 1 Today, running first run and recent releases.
Lansdowne Theatre Bloor and Lansdowne 1936–1958 1
Madison (1913) Bloor St W at Bathurst 1913–1940 1 Demolished in 1940 and replaced by Midtown Theatre (known today as Hot Docs)
Madison 4950 Yonge St., north of Sheppard
Market Square Front and Jarvis 1983–present 6 Opened as the Cineplex Odeon Market Square, now the Rainbow Cinemas Market Square
Metro Theatre Bloor and Christie 1939–2013 3 Has 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.[11][12]
Mount Pleasant Cinema Mount Pleasant and Eglinton 1
New Yorker Theatre Yonge and Bloor 1919–unknown 1 Opened as the Victoria in 1919. Demolished, but some of the facade used in the Panasonic Theatre on the site.
Northeast Drive-In Theatre Sheppard Avenue East and Victoria Park 1947–1976[13] 1
North West Drive-In Theatre Dixon Road and Highway 401[13] 1948–1977[14] 1
Nortown 875 Eglinton Av W at Bathurst 1948–1974 1
Odeon Queen and Lansdowne 1930–1981 1 Not connected to the Odeon chain.
Odeon Carlton Yonge and Carlton 1947–1973 1 Demolished.
Odeon Danforth Pape and Danforth 1947–unknown 2 Now a fitness centre.
Odeon Fairlawn Yonge and Lawrence 1947–1985 2 Demolished.
Odeon Hyland Yonge and St. Clair 1948–2003 2 Demolished.
Odeon York Yonge and Eglinton 1969–2001[15] 2 Closed 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 Cinesphere Ontario Place 1971–closed as part of government decision to close Ontario place in 2012 1 The world's first permanent IMAX theatre.
Opera House Queen and Broadview Opened 1909 1 Today, a music venue.
Orpheum Theatre Queen and Bathurst 1
Oxford Theatre Danforth and Coxwell Opened in 1928, renovated May 1937 1
Palace Theatre Danforth and Pape 1924–1987 3
Paradise Theatre Bloor and Dovercourt Closed 2006 1
Park Theatre Yonge and Lawrence 1921–1984 1 Opened as the Bedford Theatre. Renamed Park Theatre in 1949.
Parkdale Theatre Queen St W at Roncesvalles 1924–1970 1 Building still exists and is used as an antique furniture market.
Parkway Drive-in Woodbine and Steeles 1
Parliament Theatre Parliament and Gerrard 1929–1963 1
Pickford Theatre Queen and Spadina 1910–1940s 1 Opened as the Auditorium in 1908. Was renamed the Avenue Theatre in 1913.
Plaza Theatre Hudson's Bay Centre 1976–2001 2
Prince of Wales Theatre Danforth and Woodbine 1927–1966 1
Radio City Bathurst and St. Clair 1936–1975 1
Red Mill Yonge and Queen 1906–unknown 1 Toronto's first "permanent" movie theatre. Originally named the Theatorium.
Regent Theatre Davisville 1927–present 1
Revue Cinema Roncesvalles 1912–2006,2007–present 1 The Revue is the oldest purpose-built theatre 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 Theatre Yonge and Shuter Early 20th century 1
Rio Theatre Yonge and Gerrard 1913–1991 1 Opened 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.
Roxy Theatre The Danforth 1936–2006 3 Opened as the Allenby Theatre.
Royal Alexandra Theatre Theatre District 1 Major performing arts venue that also served for a time as a cinema.
Royal Cinema College Street between Grace and Clinton 1939–present 1
Runnymede Theatre Bloor St W at Runnymede 1927–1999 2 Converted first to a Chapters book store, then to a Shoppers Drug Mart, it retains most of the original interior decoration.
Scarboro Kingston and Victoria Park 1936–unknown 1 Was for a time a pool hall. Today, rebuilt as condos.
Scarboro Drive-In Theatre Kennedy Road at Ranstone Gardens (south of Lawrence Avenue East) 1952–late 1970s 1 Claimed to have the biggest screen in Canada. Included a "kiddieland". Now the site of Jack Goodlad Park and community centre.[16]
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto John and Richmond 1999–present 14 Originally named the Paramount. Features Coca-Cola Freestyle.
Shea's Hippodrome Queen and Bay 1909–1954 1 Former vaudeville theatre that became one of Canada's largest cinemas.
Sheraton Centre Sheraton Centre 2 Closed.
Sherway Cinemas Sherway Gardens 1971–2001 13 Replaced by Queensway in 2001. Now a Sears store.
SilverCity Fairview Fairview Mall 1970–present 9 Originally Cineplex Odeon Fairview, became Rainbow Cinemas Willowdale from 1988-2008 with 8 screens. The theatre features a Screening Room and Lounge.
SilverCity Yonge-Eglinton Yonge and Eglinton 1998[17]-present 9
SilverCity Yorkdale Yorkdale Shopping Centre 1963–present 3?-10 First shopping mall cinema in Canada. Rebuilt 1999 at a new location in the mall.
Skyway 6 Cinemas Airport Road 1980–1999 6
Standard Theatre Spadina and Dundas 1921–1994 1 Began 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 Theatre Queen and Spadina Early 20th century 1
Teck Theatre Queen and Broadview 1
Tivoli Theatre Yonge and Richmond Closed 1965 1 Site of the first talking film in Toronto in 1928.
Towne Cinema Yonge and Bloor 1949–1985 1
Underground Cinema Spadina and Queen 2010–2012[18] 1 Repertory cinema opened in what was formerly the Golden Classics venue.
University Theatre 100 Bloor Street West 1949–1986 1 For a time the largest cinema in Canada. Demolished except for the facade, which was incorporated into a store.
Uptown Theatre Yonge and Bloor 1920–2003 3-5 Originally 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
Westwood Theatre Bloor and Kipling 1951–1998 3 Demolished.
Willow Theatre Yonge and Ellerslie 1950s–1987 Demolished; site is now a condominium.
Woodside Cinemas McCowan and Finch 1977–present 3 Currently shows Hindi, Tamil, and Punjabi films.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Insurance Plan of Toronto Vol 6, Plate 440", Chas. E. Goad, 1913.
  2. ↑ http://www.blogto.com/city/2013/04/projection_booth_cinema_mired_in_internal_conflict/
  3. ↑ "Toronto's Carlton Cinema to re-open in June". Xtra!, February 18, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Cumberland theatre closing after 30 years in Yorkville", CBC News, May 6, 2012
  5. ↑ "AMC could be next in Toronto’s movie theatre shakeup", Toronto Star, May 9, 2012
  6. 1 2 http://tayloronhistory.com/2012/09/29/discovering-two-of-torontos-lost-movie-theatres/
  7. ↑ http://www.localfilmcultures.ca/?page_id=430
  8. ↑ http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/34042
  9. ↑ "Hot Docs Receives $5-Million Gift From Rogers Foundation". Hot Docs. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  10. ↑ Stephen Michalowicz (September 22, 2010). "The Humber Cinema Is Set To Return". Torontoist. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  11. ↑ Gale, Kimberly (Aug 15, 2012). "Toronto's last porn theatre goes back to its roots". CBC. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  12. ↑ CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/metro-theatre-closes-ending-an-era-of-porn-cinema-in-koreatown-1.2470796?cmp=rss. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. 1 2 https://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/11/27/toronto-drive-in-theatres-the-show-starts-at-dusk.html
  14. ↑ http://drive-ins.com/theater/xxtnorw/north-west-drive-in-toronto-on#.V4qBPvkrLIU
  15. ↑ "Vintage Toronto Ads: Coming Christmas Day—The Odeon York!".
  16. ↑ http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24726
  17. ↑ "Indigo bookstore advertisement". Globe and Mail. 1998-11-07. p. D11.
  18. ↑ Johnny Larocque (August 16, 2012). "Toronto Underground Cinema to close". blogTO. Retrieved August 16, 2012.

External links

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