8. Imagine Cinema Market Square

Although this franchise is in a very accessible location and the cinemas are well maintained, the overall roster of films runs very mainstream, and the ticket prices are a little steep. However, this is the pick for you if you’re looking for a quiet matinee of a new superhero film.

(Read Our Review)

7. Kingsway Theatre

Out of most Torontonians’ way is this neighbourhood classic. With two cinemas, their schedule offers an array of second-run critics’ favourites and horror features. However, their customer service could be better, and the ticket prices are a bit steep.

(Read Our Review)

6. Imagine Cinema Carlton

Another neighbourhood staple is the Carlton Cinema turned Imagine Cinema franchise. The premises are a little run down and need an upgrade, but the prices are great, and their roster is eclectic, with critics’ choices mixed with mainstream films.

(Read Our Review)

5. Paradise Theatre

This Cinema has much more of a social atmosphere with a bar in the lobby fit for socialising and café tables on the balcony for intimate viewing and conversation. Their choice of films is mainly review and social cinema club cult classics; they also host stand-up comics and musical guests. However, the cinema as a cinema is a little lacklustre, the screen is much too small for the space, and the seats aren’t adequately sloped for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

(Read Our Review)

4. Revue Cinema

Yet another neighbourhood staple. The Revue Cinema is known amongst Torontonians as THE central indie cinema. Their eclectic roster includes review films, cult classics, indie premieres, and a fantastic Canadian content showcase. The facilities as they stand are a little run down, and they don’t have an accessible washroom, but they’re an excellent Toronto institute that deserves your support.

(Read Our Review)

3. Fox Theatre

The theatre in the Beaches, a well-loved cinema in this touristy part of town by the water. They mainly run second-run indie and critic’s choice films with fun and unique special events. Although they’re not excellent for Canadian Content, they make up for it with great prices and a fantastic screen, seats, and sound.

(Read Our Review)

2. TIFF Bell Lightbox

This is what Toronto is known for, and with good reason. TIFF’s state-of-the-art facilities make for a unique and lavish experience. The staff are lovely, and their schedule of films is an outstanding show of taste and support. TIFF loves to showcase Canadian, International, and Independent films – I mean, they’re World Renowned. Check it out; they’re worth the hype.

(Read Our Review)

1. Ted Rogers Hot Docs

Not everyone loves Documentaries but trust me when I tell you that you’ll love the documentaries this cinema will show you. It’s a whole new world and a humble institution that needs a bit more love. The volunteers are lovely, the theatre is well-kept, and the prices are reasonable. It offers the unique opportunity to jump into a world you didn’t know existed or learn about a way of life you were curious about. The cinema itself was a little odd, but I still very much enjoyed the experience. I highly recommend that you jump out of your comfort zone and check out some factual content at Ted Rogers Hot Docs Theatre.

(Read Our Review)

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As far as the first floor goes, it is very wheelchair accessible. There are no stairs into the lobby, there is an accessible washroom, and the main floor cinema is ramped with spaces for wheelchair seating. However, the second cinema is up two flights of stairs and is inaccessible, making some films unattainable for disabled audience goers.

Accessibility – 2/5 WHEELS

On a Friday night, the Kingsway Theatre is very popular. In the small cinema, which is just 32 seats, at near capacity, only five of us were masked, with many favouring cocktails or beers and popcorn. The employee at the concession and ticket booth was unmasked.

COVID-19 Protocols – 1/5 MASKS

Located two minutes walking distance from Royal York subway station, the Kingsway Theatre is perfectly transitable. However, for those more centrally located in the city, it’s a bit of a trek to the west end, Etobicoke even.

Transit-ability – 4/5 TRAINS

Popcorn and drinks were averagely priced at $8-10 and $5-6; their large popcorn is very large, and a bit of a steal and alcoholic beverage prices are comparable to many mainstream establishments. Weekday prices are cheaper than weekend prices and comparable to mainstream cinemas; they are pretty steep.

Prices – 3/5 COINS

The Kingsway Theatre has a very strict no-bag policy for backpacks, tote bags, etc. They are so strict they will ask you to leave should you not comply and store it in the staff room. The theatre opens just 15 minutes before each showtime, meaning there is a line. Any preparatory items like cocktails or sandwiches don’t get to patrons until after the film has started. In the smaller cinema, this was very distracting.

Customer Service – 2/5 HELPING HANDS

The Three Big S’s

Sound: At first, I found the audio too loud. However, I adjusted to it. For a small cinema, the speakers were very impactful, sometimes overbearing, but immersive.

4/5 EARDRUMS

Seating: The seats were comfortable and reclinable. Due to the small size of the cinema, the people in front of me were very visible dark silhouettes, part of my viewing experience but not entirely infringing on my viewing experience.

4/5 PILLOWS

Screen: At first, I thought it might have been a mistake that there be about a foot at the bottom of the screen left blank, but it actually acted as a buffer for the people sitting in front of you. It was a smart feature that took into account the small size of the cinema. However, I found the screen a little fuzzy at times; I wonder if that possibly has to do with the calibre of the projector and the small size of the room as well.

4/5 CORNEAS

Films on the Roster

The Kingsway Theatre does not host a monthly calendar or overall initiative for their scheduling; therefore, it is hard to tell how often or if they host Canadian content. However, as of my attendance, no Canadian features were playing.

Canadian Titles – 1/5 BUTTER TARTS

The Kingsway Theatre has an interesting history with midnight screenings of horror favourites. This is continued with many review horror films making it into their late showings on weekends, but nothing else is curated with the same enthusiasm.

Special Events – 3/5 GIRL SCOUTS CREATIVITY RIBBONS

They like to throw an international, TIFF pick, or small indie onto their roster. The Kingsway Theatre favours smaller, artistic films on their second run or cult favourites.

Indie vs Mainstream Titles – 4/5 HIPSTERS

TOTAL SCORE – 32/55

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Fox Theatre’s lobby is three steps from the street; they make themselves accessible to wheelchairs by putting out a makeshift ramp over the stairs. From there, the box office, concessions, and seating in the auditorium are on slopes, making them easily wheelchair accessible. However, they do not have an accessible washroom; their facilities are negligible.

Accessibility – 3/5 WHEELS

The auditorium is a good size and easy to spread out, although they are a popular local theatre, and most showtimes are well attended. Patrons are strongly advised to mask in the theatre, and employees must mask. However, most audience members were not masked in favour of having popcorn and drinks during the show.

COVID-19 Protocols – 3/5 MASKS

Fox Theatre is not in the most central location in Toronto. However, they are highly transitable, being on the Queen streetcar line. They are also walking distance from the beautiful beaches of Toronto.

Transit-ability – 4/5 TRAINS

A non-membership ticket costs $11.50+tax, an incredible deal compared to the bigger guy. Fox Theatre’s concession prices are also a steal charging between $6-8 for popcorn and around $5 for a fountain pop.

Prices – 5/5 COINS

The theatre was promptly opened a half hour before showtime. Two staff members were helping out: one at the box office, the other at the concession. They were polite, friendly and efficient, like a well-oiled machine.

Customer Service – 5/5 HELPING HANDS

The Three Big S’s

Sound: For the preshow, Fox Theatre played easy and indie rock, and there was a fair bit of chatter. The open cinema with minimal carpeting meant sound travelled. Still, I found that once the film started, the surround speakers kicked in and listening was very immersive, apart from the sharp crackle from a bite of popcorn a few rows over.

4/5 EARDRUMS

Seating: The seats were very comfortable and reclinable, and the rows had lots of legroom. It was a very comfortable viewing experience, for sure.

5/5 PILLOWS

Screen: I was a little worried during the pre-show about the size of the screen compared to the size of the auditorium, but just before the previews began, something triggered the projector and screen to widen and expand for a vast and beautiful viewing experience. Whatever fuzziness I saw during the pre-show was absolutely non-existent during the showing.

5/5 CORNEAS

Films on the Roster

As far as their current schedule suggests, Fox Theatre is not a significant adversary of Canadian content.

Canadian Titles – 1/5 BUTTER TARTS

The Fox Theatre loves an anniversary showing and a niche holiday film! They review cult classics in their well-known What’s A McGuffin series. They also partner with local businesses, i.e., High Tea Cinema events where a cup of Pippins tea and a scone comes with every ticket.

Special Events – 5/5 GIRL SCOUTS CREATIVITY RIBBONS

They like to show films with less chance of a wide run-in larger cinema chains, but that’s not to say their choices are mostly Indie, but Critic’s choices and festival films. Their review cinema brings in a fair amount of large production house classics or projects from distribution conglomerates.

Indie vs Mainstream Titles – 3/5 HIPSTERS

TOTAL SCORE – 43/55

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The location is old, but not too old; rebuilt in the 1980s and without many renovations since. Restrooms are on the opposite side of the cinema from the theatres. The aisles and rows are narrow; the theatres themselves are narrow. There are accessibility accommodations for those with mobility issues, but use the restroom before the film starts, or you’ll miss a good chunk.

Accessibility: 3/5 WHEELS

As for COVID-19 precautions for those concerned, or perhaps about Monkeypox, the staff were not masked, and neither were most patrons. Seats are close together, but at a matinee, there is plenty of room to spread out.

COVID-19 Protocols: 1/5 MASKS

This location is right downtown, there are plenty of bus routes, street cars, and subway stops around. Take your pick! Or wander around you’re in the bustling downtown, why not?

Transit-ability: 5/5 Trains

Imagine Cinemas can be great for ticket prices when they stick to their $10 GA price. However, like most places, the concessions will get up there. A small popcorn, drink and a sweet snack could cost you upwards of $20.

Prices: 3/5 COINS

The Three Big S’s of the Viewing Experience:

Sound: Decent, nothing to rave or complain about… except the emergency exit had soundproofing errors; we could hear a truck or scuffle in the alley at one point. Otherwise, it was fine; not too loud, not too quiet.

4.5/5 EARDRUMS

Seating: The seats are not upgraded like other Imagine Cinemas. They were old and stiff, the aisles were very narrow. Sitting behind someone does not give you much room between their head and your popcorn. The theatres are also quite flat, and narrow – you’re basically at the same level as the person in front of you.

3/5 PILLOWS

Screen: The screen is on the smaller side and considering how long and narrow the cinema is you’re better off closer to the screen than most other newer cinemas. The size doesn’t diminish the viewing experience as much as assumed, it feels much more intimate than larger screens.

4/5 CORNEAS

Admittedly, the Imagine Cinemas Carlton was late to open, but the staff were friendly. However, the overhear light was left on when our film started, and another patron had to leave to ask a staff member to turn it off. Not the most on top of it crew, but friendly!

Customer Service: 3/5 HELPING HANDS

Films on the Roster

In the content department, their schedule is updated weekly with any changes. Special screenings and events are promoted during the pre-shows. Imagine Cinema’s Carlton has a solid range of review cinema and special screenings.

5/5 GIRL SCOOTS CREATIVITY RIBBONS

For Indie vs Mainstream content, the schedule when I attended had one major franchise film, a review film, a smaller franchise film, and three independent/festival picks. Which is a pretty good ratio.

4.5/5 HIPSTERS

They currently have no Canadian titles. Although special events brought to the cinema by other organizations do.

2/5 BUTTER TARTS

All in all, Imagine Cinemas Carlton is a solid choice for consistent pricing, hours, and interesting content.

TOTAL SCORE is 38/55

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Market Square’s entrance is off a section of Front Street under construction. The worksite doesn’t come to the door but those with physical disabilities may find it difficult to access. Coming in you must go down a steep flight of stairs; there is an escalator going down but not up, and an elevator. There are two accessible bathrooms near the base of the elevator. The other washrooms are gendered and preceded by more stairs. The theatres have a space for a wheelchair, and the aisles are wide. The whole cinema’s layout is somewhat confusing, and the different levels with stairs are unfortunate but they make up for it with proper accommodations.
Accessibility – 4/5 WHEELS

Located right downtown, Market Square has plenty of bus routes and is only a few blocks from King station.

Transit-ability – 5/5 TRAINS

The employees are not required to mask. However, at an afternoon show, there were hardly any people in all six theatres. At a day-old release showing, there was one other patron, and although the theatre was small, there was room to be socially distanced. An Imagine Cinemas’ preshow AD encouraged social distancing and reassured how often and deeply they clean. I would have preferred if the employees were still masked, especially while handling food.

COVID-19 Protocols – 2.5/5 MASKS

The ticket cost $14 +tax which is standard nowadays but with the lux new seating, you’re getting more bang for your buck compared to Cineplex with standard seats. For snacks, I bought a bag of M&Ms, a small popcorn, and a Bubly tall can which came to ~$17. That’s not bad considering today’s food prices.

Prices – 4/5 COINS

The Three Big S’s of the Viewing Experience:

Sound: Crisp, surround sound and no trouble with soundproofing. However, the difference in sound between the adverts and the actual movie was a bit startling and the sound of the machine turning on/switching tapes was loud compared to the silence before – I jumped each time.

4/5 EARDRUMS

Seating: The luxury seats are new and appear to be well maintained – the aisles, and rows are quite wide. The seats’ size accommodates larger bodies, and are nicely cushioned and reclinable with a button on the inside of the right armrest.

5/5 PILLOWS

Screen: Small theatre, smaller screen. I struggled with immersion due to the small screen – there was also a large alcove with a door next to it which I found distracting. I liked the cosiness of the smaller theatre, the film never felt overstimulating.

3/5 CORNEAS

There were no employees upstairs, just two touch screens. The employees at the concession were nice but forgot the M&Ms, and then gave me the wrong kind and no one checked my ticket. I realized I lost my presto card after leaving, when I went back, they were kind enough to let me look but didn’t offer to help.

Customer Service – 3/5 HELPING HANDS

Films on the Roster

They currently have no Canadian titles.

0/5 BUTTER TARTS for Canadian content

Their schedule is updated week by week, and looking at their current roster, they favour boom-boom-bang mainstream movies. Their out-of-pocket pick was Everything Everywhere All At Once, an A24 film – once a small indie studio with more mainstream traction – an underdog film, now widely beloved with a long cinema run. I admire their inclusion of the title but I also wouldn’t say their showing of it means they regularly carry independent films.

1/5 HIPSTERS for Independent/International cinema

They do not have any advertisements for special events, review films, or anything of that nature. They rent out their cinemas for private special events but nothing of their planning.

0/5 GIRL SCOUTS CREATIVITY RIBBONS

I also think it is important to note there is next to no cell service.

TOTAL SCORE – 31.5/55

Imagine Cinemas Market Square is good for when you’re craving the boom-boom-bang, but not for when you’re looking for something crafty or to support the local industry.

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