Last summer we posted a list of outdoor movie screenings in Toronto that was such a hit among our readers that we thought it was due time we posted a new list for Summer 2012. We’ve scoured the net to find some of the coolest ones to mention and will be updating as we find more. If you know of one we missed please mention it in the comments below.
Open Roof Festival
Running every Thursday on the roof of the Amsterdam Brewery from June 21 to August 23, Open Roof Festival combines great movies with great music in a fun party atmosphere. The 2012 lineup kicks off on June 21 with the doc Marley and a performance by Friendlyness & The Human Rights. Following screening and band pairings include Charles Bradley: Soul of America with a performance by Army Girls (June 28), Fat Kid Rules the World with a performance by The Magic (July 5), China Heavyweight with a performance by The Little Black Dress (July 12), Herman’s House with a performance by Stacey Bulmer (July 19), Undefeated with a performance by Run With The Kittens (July 26), Hysteria with a performance by Eucalyptus (August 2), Indie Game: The Movie with a performance by Parlovr (August 9), Moonrise Kingdom with a performance by Dusted (August 16), and Beasts of the Southern Wild with a performance by Bruce Peninsula (August 23). Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online in advance at openrooffestival.com or at the door.
TIFF In The Park
Every Wednesday night at sunset from June 27 to August 29 TIFF is screening a free classic screwball comedy in David Pecaut Square (formerly known as Metro Square). The lineup includes Trouble in Paradise (June 27), My Man Godfrey (July 4), The Palm Beach Story (July 11), Raising Arizona (July 18), His Girl Friday (July 25), Mr. and Mrs. Smith (August 1), The Philadelphia Story (August 8), What’s Up, Doc? (August 15), The Lady Eve (August 22), and It Happened One Night (August 29). Check out tiff.net for more info.
Movies in the Park
Riverdale Park East is home once again to Movies in the Park this summer and they have a great lineup of four family-friendly films that should get you excited. They begin on July 8 at 9 p.m. with Ghostbusters followed by Raiders of the Lost Ark on July 22 at 9 p.m.. On August 5 they’re showing Back to the Future at 8:30 p.m. and they wrap it all up on August 19 at 8:30 p.m. with The Princess Bride. Bring a blanket, some treats, your family and friends, and enjoy. For more info visit moviesinthepark.wordpress.com.
Movies Under the Stars (Downsview Park)
If you’re looking for more free family-friendly screening options this summer Movies Under the Stars at Downsview Park is the best choice. They kick it off on June 29 with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and continue the series with The Adventures of Tintin on July 6, Hugo on July 13, E.T. on July 20, The Pirates! Band of Misfits on July 27, Avatar on August 3, The Muppets on August 10, Winnie the Pooh on August 17, Puss in Boots on August 24, and Dolphin Tale on August 31. Screenings are free and the park recommends you bring your lawn chairs and blankets. For more info, visit downsviewpark.ca.
Free Flicks: Rise of the Underdog (Harbourfront Centre)
The Harbourfront Centre’s Free Flicks: Rise of the Underdog series features everything from Office Space on July 4 to Moneyball on August 22 with a little something for everyone in between. Other films showing include Zoolander (July 11), When We Were Kings (July 18), Napoleon Dynamite (July 25), The Social Network (August 1), Whip It (August 8), Whale Rider (August 15), and an audience pick on August 29. For more info, visit harbourfrontcentre.com/freeflicks.
City Cinema – Yonge & Dundas Square
We initially missed Yonge & Dundas Square’s City Cinema screening series and got a lot of heat from readers over it. Every Tuesday night in the square from June 19 to August 28 you can check out a classic film if you don’t mind being harassed by one of the regular colourful characters hanging about. The schedule includes Tommy (June 19), The Adventures of Priscella, Queen of the Desert (June 26), Dazed and Confused (July 3), Harold and Maude (July 10), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (July 17), The Big Lebowski (July 24), Do The Right Thing (July 31), a double bill with The Princess Bride and Labyrinth (August 14), Brazil (August 21), and Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (August 28). Check out ydsquare.ca for start times and more info.
Know of any other outdoor screenings in Toronto? Email tips@criticizethis.ca and let us know.
Top image: A scene from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. Courtesy Universal Pictures.
