With the embarrassment of riches being shown on Toronto’s multiple screens dedicated to repertory cinema, we decided it was high time to create a monthly guide for all of our local readers. Highlighting everything from the classic to the bizarre, from the backroom at Eyesore Cinema to the recently reopened Ontario Cinesphere, we’ve included dozens of screenings taking place all over the city. Find out which ones are FREE, which are 35mm prints, and which screenings are accompanied by special guests and other performances, from burlesque dancing and live bands, to the classic monthly shadowcast screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Nov. 1
Bedazzled (2000) @ Eyesore Cinema
Presented by Frase Haze, a limited series specializing in the golden era films of everyone’s favourite late 90’s heartthrob, Brendan Fraser.
Nov. 2, 3 & 4
Ghostbusters (1984) @ Cinesphere
Nov. 2
Cure (1997) in 35mm @ The Royal
Eastern Promises Presents a rare 35mm screening of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Japanese occult horror crime masterpiece, Cure.
Nov. 3 & 4
Beetlejuice (1988) @ Revue Cinema
Encore screenings following last week’s sold out one!
Nov. 3
Return of the Living Dead (1985) @ The Revue
Presented by Drunken Cinema, a monthly series in Toronto and Montreal specializing in movie drinking game nights for extreme movie buffs.
Nov. 4
The Witches (1990) @ The Royal
Mega Fun Movie Explosion presents this kid-friendly screening. Arrive a half-hour before the feature starts for games, activities and a raffle!
A Star is Born (1937) @ The Royal
Godzilla: Final Wars (2014) @ The Royal
Laser Blast Film Society presents a one night only screening with a special introduction from director Ryûhei Kitamura and a Kaiju pre-show!
Nov. 5
Donnie Darko (2004) FREE @ The Royal
Presented by NOW’s Free Flick Mondays
Nov. 6
Groundhog Day FREE (1993) @ The Royal
Presented by Indie88’s Band and a Movie with a special performance set from the band Wintersleep.
Nov. 7
Fox Flashback presents spiritual sequel Creed 2. Brush up on your history with the original boxing Cold War flick!
Nov. 8
Juice (1992) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
The boys of Boosie Fade bring the party to the Lightbox with this special screening of Ernest Dickerson’s Juice, followed by drinks at a post-screening party.
Beyond Dreams Door (1989) @ Eyesore Cinema
Presented by Trashterpiece Theatre.
Nov. 9. 10, & 11
Nov. 9
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Johnny Mnemonic (1995) 35mm & FREE @Innis Town Hall
Nov. 10
A Clockwork Orange (1971) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Nov. 15
You’ve Got Mail (1998) @ Revue Cinema
Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg (hosts of What About Meryl?) are launching a brand new podcast about women in film at the Revue Cinema. We Really Like Her! celebrates women in front of (and behind) the camera. Fun guests–like screenwriters, editors, directors, producers, film programmers and critics–will weigh in, too.
Death Racers (2008) @ Eyesore Cinema
Nov. 16, 17, & 18
Nov. 16
Grease 2 (1982) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Presented by the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Student Union (CINSSU), the Free Friday Film series is open to everyone!
Nov. 17
Cats Don’t Dance (1997) @ The Royal
Baby friendly screening!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) @ Revue Cinema
Part of the Dumpster Raccoon series hosted by Anthony Oliveira; screening trashy cult classics accompanied by live performances.
Face to Face (1967) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
KinoVortex programmer Colin Geddes introduces Sergio Sollima’s little-known spaghetti western Face to Face.
Nov. 18
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
4K DIGITAL RESTORATION!
Tokyo Chorus (1931) @ Revue Cinema
Silent Revue is Toronto’s celebrated ongoing exploration of Silent Cinema – the only year-round dedicated selection of silent films in a theatrical venue. All screenings feature live musicians and are set in the fabulous silent-era Revue Cinema!
Nov. 19
This screening is a companion to a lecture, CONNECTION & CATASTROPHE: Media Theory and the Occult Film Boom in Japan, being held at the Japan Foundation Toronto on November 21.
Nov. 21
Girlfriends (1978) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Nov. 22
How To Steal A Million (1966) @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Designing the Movies. Hosted by journalist Nathalie Atkinson, Designing the Movies uses at direction, production, set, and costume design as a lens for analysis.
Nov. 23, 24, & 25
Blade Runner: Final Cut (1982) @ Cinesphere
Nov. 23
Heathers (1988) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Hairspray (1988) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Presented by the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Student Union (CINSSU), the Free Friday Film series is open to everyone!
The Howling 2:… Your Sister is a Werewolf (1985) @ Eyesore Cinema
Nov. 24
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985) @ Revue Cinema
For both the young and young-at-heart, Throwback Cinema presents the movies of your childhood, back on the big screen.
Action Jackson (1988) 35mm @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Drunken Cinema, a monthly series in Toronto and Montreal specializing in movie drinking game nights for extreme movie buffs.
Nov. 27
Se7en (1995) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
This screening kicks off TIFF’s Darius Khondji: 21st Century Portraits series. The acclaimed cinematographer of such films as David Fincher’s Se7en and Michael Haneke’s Amour, Darius Khondji has helped defined the visual aesthetics of contemporary international cinema.
Nov. 28
Point Blank (1967) @ The Royal
Presented by Retropath! Specializing in the best flicks to stumble onto the screen, this series is guaranteed to deliver the wildest that cinema has to offer.
In The Mouth of Madness (1994) @ The Royal
Rue Morgue’s CineMacabre Movie Nights promise the best of classic and contemporary horror at The Royal Cinema – once a month, every month.
A River Runs Through It (1992) @ Revue Cinema
Nov. 29
Presented by Neon Dreams Cinema Club on the seminal film’s 40th Anniversary. Arrive early to take advantage of fully licensed bar and pre-show!
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) SOLD OUT @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Food in Film, a series that screens a food-focused movie once a month, and then partners with a local chef or restaurant, who prepare a snack inspired by the film.
Better Watch Out (2016) @ Eyesore Cinema
Presented by Fright School, an interactive genre-focused screening & discussion series on the last Thursday of each month.
Nov. 30
Blade Runner 2049: The IMAX Experience (2017) @ Cinesphere
The Wizard of Oz (1939) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Presented by the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Student Union (CINSSU), the Free Friday Film series is open to everyone!
Co presented by Ladies of Burlesque and Neon Dreams Cinema Club, this screening will feature a burlesque performance by Dottie Champagne.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) SHADOWCAST @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
As always, Hot Docs will be presenting the cult classic with Toronto’s own Shadow Cast who will be performing their own satirical, comedic version of the film for audiences during the show.
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You can also see the seasonal favourite Trains, Planes and Automobiles (1987) at various Cineplex theatres throughout the month as well as some of these extensive retrospectives at the TIFF Bell Lightbox:
Bergman 100: The Ingmar Bergman Centenary
A smash hit in London and New York, this centenary celebration of the revered Swedish master is packed with classics, rarities, and recent restorations.
A Woman Possessed: The Films of Joan Crawford
From Grand Hotel through Johnny Guitar to the Grand Guignol nightmare of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, TIFF surveys the cinema of the fearsomely determined Golden Age superstar
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, TIFF welcomes artists, experts, and combat veterans for this expansive retrospective exploring the cinematic depictions of the 20th century’s first modern war.
Got a screening in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.
