TIFF Bell Lightbox

What a civilized way to take in a film.
Once construction ended on this beacon of the arts in TO, I popped my head in a few times, but this weekend marks the first time I actually saw a movie or an exhibit within the walls of the Lightbox. I had a wonderful time!
The seats are incredibly comfortable and the snack selection is second to none. I do want wine with my popcorn! What a grand idea. Alas, I’m 9 months pregnant so this time I had chai with my bag of butter. Still clearly an upscale snack pairing…
I look forward to returning to check out their exhibitions soon.

Rolling…
Easily accessible by TTC, this is a great place to catch a film, with the best part being they don’t charge you more than that of a regular theatre ($ 13). They also show a lot of interesting and unique films. I was here for the Andy Warhol exhibit and got tickets to a movie for a reduced price ($ 7) when you buy the exhibition+movie combo which is a great deal! I’ve been here a few times — the James Bond exhibit; seeing a few foreign films. The staff are really friendly and polite and the theatres are clean and the food selection is great.
There are 2 restaurants here — Luma and Canteen. I didn’t go to either this time but I’ve been to Luma before and it’s good. Definitely come a bit early to grab a bite before your movie!
I love the fact that all their exhibits have a timed entrance. This ensures that it isn’t over crowded when you get there and you can actually see everything without being bumped into by a gazillion people. Other events should really take a note and pick up this trick.
For November they are showing Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor movies as these were 2 of Andy’s favourite celebs.
So sit back and enjoy a few hours of pure bliss

It is always a good movie night out over at the TIFF lightbox. Best chairs, best food selection (wine and cheese for my movie? Oui Oui!) and mostly always best movie picks! Plus it isn’t even that much more expensive than another movie theatre theses days too. (13 $ regular admission) Maybe you wont find all of the movies that are playing at cineplex (etc) but I think you’ll find higher quality stuff here.
The trailers are also really interesting before each movie, I always find out about new obscure-​ish movies.
Oh and going to one of the O&B restaurants that are inside the building would make a perfect date night out.
If you’re a movie addict like myself, and you haven’t been here yet to see a flick I highly recommend you go here!
End Scene.

Great independent theatre!
Easy to get to right on King, take the TTC to Union and walk from there.
TIFF Bell Lightbox is the heart of the Toronto International Film Festival. They also screen independent films and have director showcases and exhibits. I came here to see The Double and The Canyons (I know, it’s a guilty pleasure). They sometimes have retrospectives on directors or themed programming. You can usually find something to enjoy here.
It is very clean and well maintained, with stylish décor, and has a great bar to meet up for drinks either before or after a movie.
I’d definitely come back to TIFF for a movie!

Over Hyped. The building is hard to navigate and cinema 5 seats are the worst in the city.

Came here for the Kubrick exhibit most recently though I have been here before to see movies. The people who work/​volunteer here take themselves very seriously. The space itself is great and it’s super fun people watching. I have to say, the Kubrick exhibit was pretty damn good! Well organized and a good collection of photographs and memorabilia.

Easily the best movie theatre in Toronto.
The movie series are the best and the movies they play actually matter to people who enjoy film :)

Love the selection of movies that are off the traditional path. Went there for Blackfish and nymphomaniac and you wouldn’t be able to see these at traditional theaters. Go there for TIFF and other documentaries and I have a good time! Check out their unique programming.

A good place to catch a lot of flicks that won’t make it in the local googolplex. Theaters are hit and miss. For all the money they sank into this, they really punted on some of the screening rooms. Seats are uncomfortable as fuck, the cheap wood risers make all kinds of noise as asshole late comers stumble in. I’ve been to some old, flea bitten rep theaters with more comfortable seating. Did they run out of money and knew the people fronting the cash were unlikely to ever see anything other than what’s in the main theater? I dunno.

A great place to watch indie, foreign, artsy films, not a fan of those myself. I love to come here for the exhibits, parties and of course the festival. There are two great restaurants in the building luma and canteen. In addition lots of other wonderful attractions and restaurants around. You can spend an entire day in the area.

TIFF offers me all I could want in a theatre: quality projections, good sound, large range of choice including art films, shorts, documentaries, foreign, classic and plenty of fascinating festivals. I also love the extra information and entertainment in their exhibition spaces and the library.
They have a great café (O&B family) next door too, where food is fresh, creative and reasonably priced.

I want to like this place more than I do, but I can’t quite get there. There’s an intimidating sense of formality to the layout of the building — I always feel like a security guard is going to stop me and ask me what I’m doing there.
The waitstaff in the lounge area provide minimal service with an aloof air of superiority. Sorry guys — it must be a rough life when you have to serve non-​celebrities like me! Also — why do you serve overpriced drinks in glasses full of ice when its –15 outside and I’m clearly freezing and still wearing my winter coat? $ 4 for a shot of Diet Coke should buy me a little sensitivity, no?
Those complaints aside, I award 3 stars for décor that in no way resembles a carnival (unlike Cineplex) and bathrooms built for ball-​gown traffic.

I love this place. It is a serious movie house for serious film goers. Almost everything that shows here is interesting.
No expense was spared in terms of projection, sound and seating. Ok, there are cheaper places to see a film but often this is the only place in town, maybe in Canada, to see certain releases. (And given what you are getting, prices are reasonable)
What is best about this place goes back to it being serious/​mature/​proper. The average patron here knows to turn off their phone, not text during a screening or talk during the show. People don’t go here because they are bored or just feel like watching a movie. They come here to see a specific film.
I am seriously considering a membership.
While not my favourite movie theater in the city, this is likely the best movie theater in the city. It is something Toronto can be really proud of.

A solid cinema with a great lineup of contemporary, indie, classic and documentary films. The theatres tend to be on the smaller side, so I would suggest getting there a bit early if you want to score a decent seat. The concession stand is located on the second floor, and while it doesn’t offer the most extensive selection of sweets and treats, the popcorn is passable and prices are reasonable.
There are lots of restaurants in the area, making it ideal for a dinner and movie night. Note that parking on King St. is horrendously overpriced, so take public transit, bike, walk, or find somewhere else to park if possible.

Surprisingly unorganized as a theatre. It could have just been the day we were there, but overall it seemed like everyone there was on their first day on the job.
Otherwise the place is wonderful, everything’s clean, prices are reasonable (at least compared to the prices at normal theatres). The picture is a high quality digital projection and the sound was OK compared to a normal theatre (i’m not an audiophile so YMMV). Also the armrests don’t go up.
Definitely a good place to catch a movie that other theatres won’t play.

This is hands down the best venue for film watching in the city. And the programming they have is stellar. I recently joined as a member in order to receive discounts, and I haven’t regretted it. I’ve seen master classes, classic films and new releases. The building itself is quite beautiful in its architectural majesty. The lines are clean, and the glass reflects the beauty only can be witnessed from behind a lens.
One of these days I’ll have to actually go to the TIFF lounge for a glass of wine. Seems I always miss it when it’s open. But the locale of the Lightbox is handy, in the midst of King St. crowd.

Oh I am a fan. A big fan.
Popcorns and drinks are CHEAP.
On average, I spend $ 12 or so for pop corn and coke in other cinemas. I get it the portions are bigger but my small body doesn’t need bib-​sized popcorn. I have no choice but to eat and drink those huge portions — enough pop corn and soda to fill me for four weeks.
Movies are great.
I have seen movies that are no longer in theatre or would not be released nationwide. It’s a really good option for me. Most movies are intelligent. I have yet to see Bieber 3D movie (sorry Biebs fan).
There are exhibits on the ground floor for added fun.
I love the small theatre and smell-​free auditorium.
There are two restaurants inside TIFF. Cheaper-​priced cafeteria style at the lower level and a higher-​priced restaurant above (higher floor of course). In short, your option is cattle-​class below and snob-​class above ;).
Come. Come often.

Reporting back on the popcorn — it’s good but maybe stay away from extra butter because they really loaded it on.
Sat in larger auditoriums for other film screenings since my last review so good to know there are screens that can accommodate various levels of audience traffic.
Bathrooms are always well maintained and there are many stalls too.
Checked out a few films here for the Inside Out Film Festival, and again, both the festival volunteers and the actual TIFF employees were all very well organized and helpful. Big thumbs up!

Yes, it’s a nip pricey ($ 13) but if I lived in Toronto, I’d snatch up a membership in a SNAP. This is the most museum like theater I’ve ever been to! Pristinely cleaned. Amazing selection of films and exhibits…
Incredibly unique. I wish I had a TIFF everywhere I lived!

This is in regards to my visit for the Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond exhibit.
I agree with one of the reviews that there are staff everywhere, it feels like I’m being closely monitored. They all wear dark clothing with a ID badge over their necks. They don’t look particularly pleasant or welcoming sorry to say.
That said, the Bond exhibit was very disappointing.
Adult tickets at $ 17 to see a bunch of drawings, storyboards, limited gadgets, costumes worn by faceless manequins in an enclosed space. There was next to no ventilation in the entire exhibit. I was told very sternly by the exhibit staff upon entering that I am not allowed to take off my jacket with no reason and that it’s very hot in there, and that I should bring my coat to the coat check where I have to pay. Uh, excuse me?
The layout of the exhibit did not make any sense as you had to double back to certain rooms to see displays you may have missed if you continued walking with the traffic flow.
Luckily, I am a Bank of Nova Scotia SCENE member so for the price of 2 tickets, I only had to pay for one (or $ 8.50×2) each because there was no way that this poorly designed exhibit was worth the full price of admission.
I have been a James Bond fan for many years, beginning from my middle school years when I first watched Moonraker. I own all of the films, including the films not considered to be part of the EON Productions series of films (with David Niven in the 1967 Casino Royale and Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again in 1983) and this celebration event at the TIFF Bell Lightbox did not do Bond justice.
Considered me neither shaken nor stirred after visiting this exhibit.