Ever wondered what else is out there besides Cineplex? Indie theatres have got you covered
By: Sarah Grishpul
The act of going to the movies has long been a part of Toronto’s culture, mainly due to the once-vast market of film exhibitions and festivals. Lately, the Canadian theatre industry has been dominated by corporate chains like Cineplex Entertainment, which according to their 2021 quarterly report, has grown to own around 75 per cent of the movie theatres in the country.
With such power and influence over the general moviegoing audience, many independent (indie) theatres have faced a decline in attendance, and many unfortunate cinemas have been forced to close their doors.
But there remain several indie theatres in the city that are worth checking out. Whether you are an esteemed cinephile or an average run-of-the-mill moviegoer, there’s something for everyone at each of these cinemas.
Revue Cinema – 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
The Revue Cinema opened in 1912 in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood and, to this day, remains one of the city’s oldest movie theatres.
The theatre was forced to close in 2006 after the death of its owner and the fall of Festival Cinemas, which was a chain of independent Canadian cinemas. But due to the support of the Revue Film Society, a local community of film lovers, they were able to raise enough money to re-open and have the city declare the building as a heritage site.
The success of this theatre can be attributed to the attachment it holds over the neighbourhood, hosting a collection of art-house and local entertainment for all ages to enjoy.
The cinema hosts a variety of film events and screenings ranging from popular new releases to forgotten favourites like Harold and Maude and unappreciated cult classics like My Bloody Valentine.
Their Revue Series programming curates screenings of a multitude of genres and niche interests, tying the shows together with panel discussions, food pairings and interactive games.
One of the acclaimed events at the Revue is the monthly Dumpster Raccoon series, in which the cinema will screen “trashy cult classics accompanied by live performances” to share the best (and worst) of pop culture.
Another iconic staple at the Revue is their Hold Up! series, where beloved comedy films are accompanied by special stand-up performances and live commentary throughout the screening.
The Revue Cinema has a lot of love and respect for cinema, providing an engaging, community-building experience for audiences while remaining a historic testament to Toronto’s cinema landscape.
Paradise Theatre – 1006 Bloor St. W.
Paradise Theatre, located in the Bloorcourt Village neighbourhood, serves both as a performing arts and movie theatre, with a variety of screenings, musical and live performances to experience.
First opened in 1937, the cinema survived as an independently-run theatre until the fall of the Festival Cinemas chain forced the establishment to shut its doors. Yet much like the Revue Cinema, Paradise was saved by a love for movies.
The building was purchased and restored by Moray Tawse, a Toronto real estate executive, who said in a Toronto Star article that he wanted to preserve the building because it reminded him of a beloved cinema from his childhood.
These days, the theatre screens a variety of classics and Oscar-winning films such as Miracle on 34th Street and Moonlight. The cinema also has its share of curated film series, dedicated to highlighting the best of Hollywood.
In what has been dubbed the Queer Cinema Club, audiences are invited every month to watch a classic queer film, with special guests and performers attending the screening. According to their website, the intention behind this series is to celebrate some of the best of queer cinema, bringing together Toronto’s LGBTQ community.
Horror film fans may get a kick out of Paradise’s Evil Women series, where each month a film devoted to the iconic femme fatale trope is featured on the big screen. In 2023, January’s pick will be Strait-Jacket, a 1960s thriller starring Joan Crawford, followed by Misery in February starring Kathy Bates.
As such, if you’re looking for a glamorous venue to see a film with family or loved ones, Paradise Theatre is the ideal destination for moviegoers.
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema – 506 Bloor St. W.
Documentary films have often been cast aside by large theatre chains, leaving many to be left unappreciated by mainstream audiences. Hot Docs is an organization committed to celebrating the art of documentary filmmaking.
Through their yearly Hot Docs Festival and screenings at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, moviegoers can view some of the best Canadian and international documentaries.
Located in Toronto’s popular Annex neighbourhood, the cinema has historically stood as one of the first film houses in the city. The theatre adopted many names and titles over the years before landing in the possession of Hot Docs and has maintained a key destination for cinephiles in the area.
For youth under 25, Hot Docs also offers students a free Bronze Membership. Members are given access to a multitude of free, exclusive screenings and discounted ticket prices for the duration of the Hot Docs Festival and yearly screenings at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.
Unlike many multiplexes, the theatre only has one screen but that doesn’t mean the cinema has a limited selection for audiences to view. As well as showcasing some of the best and most acclaimed documentaries, the theatre hosts a variety of cinema series that make the venue worth visiting.
Hot Docs offers a collection of special event screenings to engage audiences in shout-alongs, sing-alongs, and family favourite classics. During February, the cinema is celebrating Galentine’s Day with a special sing-along screening of Mamma Mia. The film will also be open captioned for accessibility and those who have yet to burn the lyrics of the entire movie musical into their brains.
As well, the cinema currently runs a series called Relaxed Screenings, providing a sensory-friendly environment for neurodivergent community members. During the screening, the house lights and sound will remain low while audience members are free to move around or take breaks from the viewing.
Whether you’re in the mood for a documentary or just to escape the cold and catch a flick this winter, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema is a welcoming space for all.
TIFF Bell Lightbox – 350 King St. W.
As mentioned before in my guide to taking advantage of yearly programming offered by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), there is an abundance of indie, international and film restoration screenings to see at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre.
Nestled in the heart of Toronto’s media and entertainment district, there’s no missing the glow and allure of the Lightbox theatre. The space holds itself to a certain prestige. Walking in on a literal red carpet, it’s obvious you’re here not just to watch a movie, but to experience art.
Film fans who want to experience something outside of the traditional big-screen blockbuster are introduced to a wide range of choices from the latest out of the festival to an array of underrated gems.
TIFF offers student discounts as well as an easily obtainable membership for those under 25, which makes this cinema an appealing destination for cinephiles on a budget.
Members also get free admission to TIFF Cinematheque screenings, a curated collection of contemporary, international and rare archival cinema. Programs such as Special Screenings, Love Will Tear Us Apart, and Perpetratin’ Realism: 1990s Black Film are all series TIFF members can see at no cost this February.
The Lightbox theatre provides a home for those films left forgotten by large multiplexes and a space for the Toronto community to experience a diverse collection of films outside of the dominating Hollywood blockbuster.
Imagine Cinemas’ Carlton Cinema – 20 Carlton St.
While Imagine Cinemas is indeed a theatre franchise, they are a small independently-owned chain of cinemas with only 12 locations in Ontario and British Columbia.
If you’re coming to the theatre to catch the latest Marvel blockbuster spectacle on the big screen, Imagine may not be the right place for you. Compared to the vast size of Cineplex screens, along with their lineup of AVX, IMAX, 3D, and 4DX viewing options, those who crave visual bombardment are likely to be let down by the small screens at Imagine Cinemas.
But Imagine still makes space for audiences to view a collection of film genres that don’t necessarily rely on action sequences and an overabundance of CGI to produce a quality movie.
Before being bought out by Imagine, the Carlton Cinema was well-known for being one of the first multiplexes in the city to focus on showcasing art-house content. Even today, the theatre focuses on screening films that are often ignored or ushered out too quickly by bigger cinema chains.
Carlton Cinema continues to screen film festival favourites like Holy Spider, Devotion and Moonage Daydream after their debuts at TIFF in 2022.
The location of the theatre is ideal for Toronto Metropolitan University students, as it is a few blocks away from campus and just down the road from the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Tickets at the Carlton are especially cheap, with general admission being $10 and Tuesday discounts only $7. Students looking to catch a movie on a budget will benefit from these low costs regardless of the small stature of its screens.
Imagine Cinemas’ Market Square Cinema – 80 Front St. E.
Imagine Cinemas’ Market Square Cinema is another small theatre location close to St. Lawrence Market tucked away behind a Metro and TD Bank.
When I say tucked away I mean practically nestled in a back alley. It took me around half an hour of walking around in the cold and dark before stumbling upon the front entrance.
Don’t be disillusioned by the empty lobby upon entering, for the actual cinema is underground where the friendly staff members are awaiting your arrival.
On descending to the lower floor, it was almost as if I were travelling back in time. The theatre cast a vintage ‘80s ambiance.
While the theatre and auditoriums themselves are quite small compared to most Cineplex locations, I found the space to be quite quaint and intimate. After having completed my final exam of the semester, it was pleasant to be surrounded by a respectful and quiet crowd of moviegoers.
As with numerous Imagine Cinemas, the real edge it has over Cineplex are the chairs. Many locations have upgraded to luxury, electronic recliners that prioritize the comfort of their audience.
When it comes to comfort and community, Market Square Cinemas is the ideal place to relax after a stressful week and catch the latest flick.
Fox Theatre – 2236 Queen St. E.
For those who live outside of the Beaches neighbourhood, this independent theatre is quite a trek to get to. I made the terrible mistake of venturing out here during a snowstorm, and although the journey was perilous, upon stepping foot inside the building I realized the trip had been worth it.
The Fox Theatre first opened in 1914 and has remained a centerpiece of the Beaches community to this day. The interior of the cinema maintains the vintage aesthetic without feeling too old or outdated. It’s a charming and cozy atmosphere that’s only enforced by the friendly staff and bubbling guests.
The concession prices were quite reasonable compared to Cineplex’s and, to my delight, popcorn and drink refills were offered at no extra cost.
The Fox offers patrons a slew of contemporary, classic and cult films while also hosting several special events for the community to attend. For New Year’s Eve, the theatre hosted a special screening of the rom-com classic When Harry Met Sally so that movie fans may ring in the new year together.
If you’ve fallen in love with this location as much as I have, the Fox has a student membership for only $7.10 per year. This includes discounted ticket prices and a free movie during the month of your birthday.
For someone who spends the majority of their time indoors, this cinema is certainly one I would brave a snowstorm to travel to.
A testament to cinema
Despite the abundance of Cineplex theatres monopolizing the industry in Canada, it is truly a testament to the power of our love for cinema that these independent, local theatres are still serving their communities to this day.
Community is the lifeblood of these independent movie theatres. Without such an audience, there would be no reason to create the films we hold so near and dear to our hearts.
