Humber Cinemas

Broken arcade games and over buttered popcorn makes this the best movie theatre in Toronto. If an action movie is playing and you’re watching a romcom with your lady in the basement you’re definitely gonna hear the explosions from the other movie. but that’s okay. You’re at a romcom.

I went to the Humber in the late 90’s before it closed, and just recently went again. It’s great that it’s open again (especially with the disappearance of so many of the more intimate, historical neighbourhood theatres around Toronto in recent years), and it’s great to learn more about its history, but there are some things about the reopened cinema that are left to be desired by the average filmgoer.
Upon entering the one entrance door (next to at least 10 exit-​only doors), you find that the admissions desk is combined with concessions. It’s pretty chaotic. You’re getting your General Admission ticket ($ 12.99, btw, it’s the same price as a multiplex) and possibly your popcorn at the same time. Okay, it’s a historical theatre. We’ll give it a pass. You’d just better hope you don’t need to nail a staff member down to ask them a question because it’s going to be tough to get their attention!
Now to find your theatre. If you’re in the one behind the admissions desk, you’re in luck. Downstairs is a different matter altogether.
Before the big closure, the Humber used to have two large theaters, one above and one downstairs. Since the theatre reopened, the downstairs theatre has been divided into 4 small … viewing rooms. At approx. 50 seats per room, they’re so small that it’s difficult to call them «theatres». Tickets can sell out surprisingly quickly when your film is in one of the small theatres, so get there with some time to spare. The numbers above the doors to the rooms are very difficult to see amongst the various movie posters and photos that decorate the walls, but they’re there. Signage is rather poor.
I was in one of the small theatres, viewing a movie that had a lot of talking and was relatively quiet; the movie in the next theatre was quite loud and had a lot of booming going on, which was plainly audible and disruptive in my theatre. Bad sound-​proofing. That was very disappointing. I’ve heard multiple complaints from other people I’ve talked to about the Humber about being able to hear the sound from the neighboring theatre and the size of the smaller theatres compared to the price you pay for a ticket. Not great. But if you just want to see a movie and you’re in the neighbourhood and you want to support the neighbourhood theatre, go for it. It’s nice in it’s own way.
Other notes: There is a Green P municipal parking behind the theatre and it’s around the corner from the Jane subway station. I didn’t study the accessibility of the theatres or washrooms when I was there, but there are a lot of stairs and an elevator was not readily apparent. Its worth a phone call to check if that is a concern to you.

I went in to see Interstellar but they were playing it in a very small cinema yet charging full price for the movie. I did not think that it was worth it and got my money back right away.
It appears that this movie theater has 4 screens in total: 2 large ones and 2 small ones. It’d be best to just keep the 2 large ones and focus on the quality experience, or charge a smaller admission price for the movies shown on the smaller screens.
In short it’s unlikely that I will return.

So glad to be able to share the Humber cinema with my kids now!
Having grown up in the west end during the 70s and 80s, we were fortunate enough to be able to choose between some pretty great old time theatres — does anyone remember The Westwood and The Runnymede? The Humber was amongst that select group and is the only one that still operates today despite a decade-​long hiatus.
Love the fact that it’s kept it’s somewhat nostalgic, some might say, cheesy character — it’s reminiscent of a time gone by. I’m tired of the sensory overload one usually encounters in the mega-​plexes and have a real hate-​on for the arcades that have now become part and parcel of the modern day movie experience.
True enough, the sound quality at the Humber may not be top notch quality, but having said that, the last time we went to the Queensway w/​the kids to see TMNT, I walked out of the theatre with my ears ringing — it was so freaky loud — Dolby sound on steroids!
Staff is friendly at The Humber and the theatres are big enough that it’s never felt over crowded compared to say the Queensway über cinema where it can sometimes feel like a contact sport at the concessions line up.
It’s also a nice change to just hop on the subway for a few stops and we’re there — vey convenient.
Don’t get me wrong… I love seeing movies regardless of the theatre, and there’s no denying that the larger, more modern cinemas offer way more when it comes to viewing choices, concession food options etc… but I can’t help but love the nostalgic vibe of The Humber.

Just like another review says: This is a theatre that reminds me of my childhood.
This theatre has the small screens, and lacks the big sound of modern cinemas. The seats are small, cramped, and your knees will find themselves resting against the seat in front of you.
While the staff is courteous and seems to care about where they work, the doesn’t make up for the fact that you’re paying the same price for a movie here as you would for a film at one of the big, comfortable, quality theatres.
I went in the cinema just to the left of the concession stand on the main level. Due to the lay out of the theatre, there is no centre seat. Aisles fill that area. And, the aisles are lit with «emergency lights» far brighter than those at main stream cinemas. They are noticeable throughout the feature and difficult to block out.
Even when you are looking at the screen, the distractions continue. There was a large tear, through the screen — or perhaps it was a lump from an flattened area — that rippled through the centre of the movie.
Now, if this movie theatre had reduced prices to match their reduced value, I could understand. A $ 7.00 ticket, or $ 5.00 on Tuesday (to match the memories from my childhood) would make this a four or five star review. However, why anyone would pay the same price, for so much less, is beyond me.
The only time I can see this cinema being returned to would be if I just wanted to walk down the street, and avoid the twenty five minute TTC trip downtown. Even then, though, I don’t know that it would be worth it.
When you’re waiting in a main stream theatre the preshow presents you with trivia, interviews, and games to keep you entertained. At the Humber, when I was there, they played the same Chinese Lounge Song (ON REPEAT) for thirty three minutes. I heard it eleven times. I counted.
Don’t get me wrong, I started to jam to it — and I had a favourite part, and everything, but playing the same three minute song on repeat until the show starts? That’s enough to drive some people crazy.

This is a cinema that reminds me of my childhood. Very nostalgic, not fancy or high tech, awful colored carpet patterns, okay seats from what I assume is a now shut down Regal Cinema in the US — but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The prices are reasonable and its never packed (at least not for me yet). The service is good and the popcorn is delish! Good movie selections and close to home. Finally a good cinema in Bloor West Village! :)

This is a very good little movie theatre. The picture and sound were comparable to one of the larger suburban locations, but the Humber has a nice walk-​in vibe, shorter lineups, and a very cool charm and atmosphere. For a smaller, older cinema, it presents very well, and doesn’t feel sketchy or run-​down. From the old-​style décor, to the classic movie posters, to the grand curtained screen, this place makes moviegoing an experience. I believe that this is what people are talking about when they use the word ‘character.’
Also, Ellie D. was a highlight, and the location right in the middle of Bloor West was a big bonus. I will definitely be returning.

The Humber is the last remaining of the original Rank Odeon theatres that opened in Toronto in the 1949. Cineplex Odeon closed the threatre without any fanfare in the summer of 2003 and it remained vacant for nearly a decade.
Despite some behind-​the-​scenes management controversy over the theatre’s refurbishment and reopening, the fact that the Humber was able to come back from the dead is a rare victory for local independent cinemas.
The Humber may not be as flashy as modern multiplexes, but it is a place where you can go for a «true» cinematic experience. I try to go to the theatre whenever I can.

Remind me of the movie theatres that I grew up with. It’s both the prices ($ 6 on Tuesdays!) and the nostalgia that brought me here.
But we’re unsure if we would come back, especially on a regular admission day.
We went to see Les Miserables on opening day.
This theatre (not the balcony one) is very horizontal — with a very large wide screen at the top, and maybe about 10 – 15 rows back. If you sit on one end, doubtful if you’ll have a good movie experience. Imagine looking at your tv screen from the side the entire time. Reading other review, I think this was the balcony theatre, and no one told us to go up there!
The chairs do not recline, and you have very little feet space. Okay for me, not for the hubby. I quickly assumed my teenage movie going posture of slumping down and putting my feet on the chair in front.
It’s also not inclined, so sucky if some tall person sits in front of you and does not slump down either.
Sitting about 3 rows from the back, I still thought it was too close. What’s the point of having seats even further forward if no one will sit in them. It was okay, but would have preferred either a smaller screen or more distance.
During the movie, the top part of the screen was cut off, only noticeable in a few scenes, but not very nice that I could only see half of Hugh Jackmans face during a poignant scene.
I wrote to the cinemas and within minutes they compensated me with free tickets. Kudos to good customer service.
Concessions wise, still with jacked up prices, but the popcorn was tasty.
Perhaps the other theatres were better and bigger, but given this caliber of movie on opening day, I thought it (and the Hobbit) could have been in the best theatre in the house.

I was excited to see this theatre re-​opened and finally got to see a movie there over the holidays.
The balcony theatre is a good size. Plenty of seating to choose from and good views. We did find the theatre quite cold, snuggled under our jackets for most of the movie and was freezing by the end. Found the audio a bit off, parts of the dialogue sounded garbled.
$ 12 admission price is on par with Cineplex. Hoping that they will have cheaper fares for mantinees and certain days if I were to return.

The Humber is Back! (Sort of)
Pros: Local theatre, no commercials before the film, (no pre-​show ad barrage either), sound was excellent (THX!?), great sight lines — it is a balcony, right on subway line, you can walk to bars & restaurants after the movie,
Cons: Not finished yet — Only balcony theatre is open (for now), screen is mid-​sized, prices comparable to Cineplex, lack of membership program
Construction is still underway, but they’re off to a great start. Support your local theatre.

There’s still a lot of work to be done but opening weekend was a great start.
Video and audio quality are very good for a small independent theatre. It was pretty cool in the theatre so bring some warm comfy clothes and you’ll be fine.
It’s great to have a theatre walking distance to Bloor West. I will definitely go back