Where to watch movies alfresco in Toronto

Summertime allows Toronto residents to enjoy the warm evenings and catch an outdoor movie. Whether it’s a new flick at the local drive-in or a free classic at the park, open-air cinema can make for a great evening.

Torontonians have two drive-in options to which they can take a carload of friends and family. Polson Pier’s drive-in movie theatre receives new releases every weekend, and Oakville’s 5 Drive-In theatre will be showing the latest hits in June, such as The Internship and Man of Steel.

Expect Yonge-Dundas Square to be packed with movie-goers on Tuesdays starting June 25. City Cinema will be screening free cult classics, such as Edward Scissorhands, Anchorman and The Godfather.

Wednesday night films will be screened at two different outdoor cinemas in the middle of downtown Toronto for free from July 3 to Aug. 28. The Harbourfront Centre is showing films with an “invented world”  theme, such as Little Shop of Horrors and Galaxy Quest, at the WestJet Stage. TIFF in the Park will be showing romantic classics — from Casablanca to The Notebook — every week at David Pecaut Square near the corner of King Street West and John Street.

Every Thursday, the Open Roof Festival presents live music and outdoor film screenings at the Moonview Lot by the water.

Beginning July 7, Riverdale Park East will host Movies in the Park every other Sunday, screening Top Gun, The Goonies, E.T. and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Toronto Port Authority’s remarkable Sail-In Cinema shows films on a two-sided floating screen for viewers both on land and on board their boats. The classic screenings at Sugar Beach will be free for everyone on and off the water during three evenings in August.

Also make sure to check out local talent, such as the Parkdale Film + Video Showcase, which will feature work from artists in the neighbourhood July 19 to 21.

Pleasure Dome’s Open Screening Under the Stars will take place July 20, where anyone can bring any experimental works under 10 minutes.

No matter what interests you, big-screen pictures and Toronto summers make an ideal combination.

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