Summer in Toronto is a glorious time. Not only does it mark food festival season, but it’s also prime opportunity to attend a Jays game, indulge in some brews on a patio, and, of course, enjoy free outdoor movies.
Sadly, the beloved Sail-In Cinema at Sugar Beach will not be coming back this year after an eight-year run. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be deprived of outdoor movie options.
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From Yonge-Dundas City Cinema to Movies in Old Town, there are plenty of locations across the city that will be screening free movies all summer long. Read on for all the hot spots, and what kinds of movies you can expect to see — at zero cost!
1. Union Summer
Where: 65 Front St. W.When: Every Wednesday from June 5 to July 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Union Summer is so much more than a food festival. Every Wednesday, after filling up on some delicious eats at Union Station, you can catch a movie under the stars. The festival has a stellar lineup, including buzzworthy films like “Aquaman” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” as well as the summer classic “Grease.” And did we mention the first 100 guests receive a free bag of popcorn?
2. Liberty Village Park
Where: 70 E. Liberty St.When: Fri, June 21 at 8:30 p.m., Fri, July 19 at 8:30 p.m., and Fri, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
The Liberty Village Residents’ Association is known for screening blockbuster hits and classic films every summer. This year, the community can expect to see “Captain Marvel” on June 21, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on July 19, and “Mary Poppins Returns” on August 23. Just be sure to arrive early to reserve your spot!
3. Yonge-Dundas City Cinema
Where: 1 Dundas St. E.When: Every Tuesday from June 25 to August 27 at 8 p.m.
Get ready for a hilarious time at City Cinema this summer! This year, the outdoor film series will host a live performance by The Second City before screening funny films featuring Second City alumni (think John Candy, Mike Meyers, and Catherine O’Hara). That includes movies like “Ghostbusters,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Mean Girls,” and “Austin Powers.”
4. Toronto Outdoor Picture Show: Fort York
Where: “Walled Fort” of Fort York — enter at 250 Fort York Blvd.When: Sat, June 15 and Sun, June 16 at sundown
The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) has multiple venues, but the film season will officially kick off at Fort York. The theme of 2019 is “Dynamic Duos,” which means the curated list of movies will explore themes of friendship, partnership and duality. Movie-goers can expect to see “Thelma & Louise” and “Misery” during opening weekend.
5. Christie Pits Film Festival
Where: Christie Pits — 750 Bloor St. W.When: Sundays from June 30 to August 25 at sundown
The signature event at TOPS is the Christie Pits Film Festival, which is now in its ninth year. Kicking off the film fest is a queer love story called “Rafiki” in celebration of Pride Month. Other films include “The Odd Couple,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “Gattaca.” All screenings at TOPS are free or pay what you can.
6. TOPS: Corktown Common Park
Where: 155 Bayview Ave.When: Thursdays from July 4 to 25 at sundown
You’ll have four opportunities to check out Corktown Common Park’s “brand-new, magnificent, much larger screen” this year. Films include “E.T.,” “The Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” “Paper Moon,” and “Some Like It Hot.”
7. TOPS: Bell Manor Park
Where: 1 Bayside Lane, EtobicokeWhen: Thursdays from Aug. 8 to 22 at sundown
TOPS will finish the season at Etoicoke's Bell Manor Park. The feature films shown here are all family-friendly. This includes “Ratatouille,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and “The Kid.”
8. Sorauren Park
Where: 289 Sorauren Ave.When: Sat, June 22, Sat, July 27, Sat, Aug. 24, and Sat, Sept. 28 (times vary)
Residents of Roncesvalles and the Junction will be happy to know that monthly movie nights are back this summer. The park will show screenings of “Back to the Future” and “Casablanca,” before ending the summer season with a “crazy for Swayze double bill.” The double-feature night in August includes a screening of “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.”
All showings are free, but the fall screening of “Iron Giant” in September will raise funds for Friends of Charles G. Williams Park.
9. Movies In Old Town
Where: Parliament Square Park — 44 Parliament St.When: Thurs, July 25 at 9 p.m.
Sit under the stars in Old Town and enjoy a viewing of the 2019 Oscar-winning animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Bring a blanket or two, as this film will run late! Movies in Old Town will also have a free screening on June 27 at 8:30 p.m., but it’s not outdoors. A classic Buster Keaton silent film will be screened in St. James Cathedral, along with live accompaniment.
10. Under The Stars: Regent Park Film Festival
Where: Regent Park — 620 Dundas St. E.When: Every Wednesday from July 10 to August 14 at sundown (around 8:30 p.m.)
Under the Stars is now in its sixth year and can only be described as a community event. Before the screening, movie-goers can check out the Taste of Regent Park. The market starts at 5 p.m. and is located in the same area as the screening. There will also be pre-show before each film with family-friendly activities. The film lineup includes “Meditation Park,” “Life of Pi,” “Black Panther,” and more.
12. Beach Village Movie Nights In The Park
Where: Rotates between Kew Gardens (2075 Queen St. E.) and Ivan Forrest Gardens Park (131 Glen Manor Dr.)When: Every Wednesday from July 3 to Aug. 28 at 9 p.m.
The only thing better than a free outdoor movie is when there’s free popcorn, too! The Beach Village BIA and the Richard’s Group have organized entertainment starting at 8 p.m., ahead of the screening. They'll show popular films that include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Pitch Perfect 3,” and “First Man.”
13. Free Flicks Festival
Where: Harbourfront Centre — 235 Queens Quay W.When: TBA
The Harbourfront Centre is currently putting together its annual program of free summer movies. The outdoor screenings were previously held every Wednesday in July and August. You can sign up here to get updates once the films and dates have been announced.
14. Stackt Market
Where: 28 Bathurst St.When: TBA
Stackt is Toronto’s newest outdoor movie venue. In addition to being an indoor-outdoor marketplace, it also hosts a number of events, including flower crown workshops, free yoga classes, and free movie screenings. The market screened their first film “John Wick: Chapter 2,” on May 14, just ahead of the release of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” No other summer screenings have been announced just yet, but Stackt frequently updates their site with events, so check back often.
