Where to watch a movie outdoors this summer in Toronto

We’ve discussed how much we love going to the drive-in in a previous post, but seeing a movie in a park or on a roof in downtown Toronto is something completely different. And by looking at the amount of outdoor screenings popping up, we are not alone in thinking this new trend is awesome. Here are a few we’ve been notified about that seem pretty cool.

Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park is host to four free screenings in Riverdale Park East this summer, with each screening raising awareness and money for local non-profits Art City, Broadview Community Youth Group, and The Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs. The first screening is booked for Sunday, June 19 (Father’s Day) with Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands on the bill. Other dates include July 24, August 14, and August 21 (keep an eye on their site to find out what they will be screening on those dates). Movies begin at sundown and they recommend you bring a blanket, a picnic, and your family.

Longo’s Free Flicks (Harbourfront Centre)

Hosted by NOW Magazine’s senior film critic Norm Wilner, Longo’s Free Flicks runs every Tuesday night at dusk from July 5 to August 9 at the Harbourfront Centre’s WestJet Stage. This year’s theme is “City Flicks” and the lineup includes the very Toronto-centric Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (July 5), Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (July 12), Paris Je T’aime (July 19), Amal (July 26), and Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (August 2). The final film on August 9 is an audience pick, with the choices being Bruce McDonald’s This Movie is Broken, The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, and Cairo Time. For more info, visit harbourfrontcentre.com.

Open Roof Films

For a more hip crowd, Open Roof Films features movies, music, and booze on the roof of the Amsterdam Brewery. The series runs every Thursday night from June 16 to September 1, and each movie is paired with a performance by an indie band. The series kicks off with the graffiti doc Exit Through the Gift Shop and music by Little Black Dress. Other films and bands include Happythankyoumoreplease (June 23, band is still T.B.A), Beauty Day and The Darcys (June 30), Trigger and Betty Burke (July 7), The National Parks Project (July 14, band is still T.B.A), Kick-Ass and Running Red Lights (July 21), Waste Land and Liam Titcomb (July 28), Nowhere Boy and Wilderness of Manitoba (August 4), and Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop with Locomotive 8 (August 12). The last three movies have not been decided yet, but bands booked are Lynn Miles (August 18), Yuka (August 25), and The Junction (September 1). Tickets are $15 each with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. For more info, visit openrooffilms.com.

TIFF in the Park

TIFF takes over David Pecaut Square (formerly known as Metro Square) every Wednesday night at sunset from July 6 to August 31 to show the best of the best Hollywood musicals and a couple of great foreign ones too. Their lineup includes The Wizard of Oz (July 6), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (July 13), Funny Girl (July 20), The Sound of Music (July 27), Jagte Raho (August 3), Fiddler on the Roof (August 10), Singin’ in the Rain (August 17), The Muppet Movie (August 24), and Mary Poppins (August 31). All screenings are free and should make for some great summer evenings. Check out tiff.net for more info.

Movies Under the Stars (Downsview Park)

Downsview Park’s Movies Under the Stars is one of the best outdoor screening series this summer for family-friendly films. The free screenings happen every Friday night at sundown in July and August with Shrek Forever After kicking off the series on July 8. Also on the roster is How to Train Your Dragon (July 15), Megamind (July 22), Space Jam (July 29), Up (August 5), Tangled (August 12), Beauty and the Beast (August 19), Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (August 26), and The Wizard of Oz (August 31). Screenings are free and the park recommends you bring your lawn chairs and blankets. There is also a covered area in case it rains. Visit downsviewpark.ca for more info.

Know of any other outdoor screenings in Toronto? Email tips@criticizethis.ca and let us know.

Top image: A scene from Scott Pilgrim. vs. the World. Courtesy Universal Pictures.