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Rainbow Cinemas
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
80 Front St EToronto, ON M5E 1T4
Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core
(416) 494-9371
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
25 reviews for Rainbow Cinemas
25 reviews in English
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Review from Anne B.
10/5/2011
I know some of the other reviewers have complained about cramped seating and small screens, but I feel I need to remind them that they paid next to nothing for their ticket (especially on a Tuesday! $5?!?! Are you kidding me! Amazing!!). If they fixed the place up with jumbo screens, cushy chairs, and legroom that seems to stretch on for days then ticket prices would soar in order to pay for all those fancy bells and whistles.
If you're looking for the comfort and sheer magnitude of one of those new fangled cinemas, then this isn't the place for you. But, if you want to see movies for dirt cheap and you're not super concerned about a couple hours in a non-ergonomic seat? Then I would highly recommend Rainbow Cinemas.
Oh, and if you're going on a Tuesday? Be advised that the theatres get packed very quickly.Listed in: Places that make me giddy...
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Review from Edwin A.
9/19/2011
It's cheap, and it surprisingly gets the latest movie releases. Sorry the secret is out. This is the place to go if you're on a budget and you're in downtown Toronto.
Now granted the venue is out of date no doubt compared to Scotiabank Theatre or AMC however if you're thinking of renting or watching a movie this is almost the same cost.
Take a look at the current prices (from Sept 19, 2011)
$5.00 Tuesday
All Shows, All Ages
$6.00 Child 3-13
$6.00 Senior 65+
$7.00 Student
$7.00 Adult Matinee
$9.00 Adult 14-64 Evening
http://www.rainbowcine...
Sick!!
FYI, to add a tip from a fellow yelp member Elvis A mentioned..
Tues at Scotiabank Theatre admission is $7.50
AMC before 12 noon is $6 7 days a week
AMC Moviewatcher member $10.50 anytime -
Review from elise s.
Toronto, ON
8/20/2011
What a fantastic cinema.
We come here for cheap Tuesday's $5, the smaller lines, the old cinema feel and the respectful, adult patrons.
You can take your own food, and get a free re-fill on your popcorn. They are the only cinema that has popcorn shake and the staff are lovely.
Cheap as chips, even on a normal day.
Any movie worth seeing is here.
Parking is generally available. -
Review from s t.
Toronto, ON
12/15/2011
Cheap movies! One of the few places I will go when I want to escape and watch a movie on a day off alone. Also the frequency of odd experiences, somehow add to the day/evening.
In the evening, there is usually a staff member playing the piano in the lobby. Some of the negatives: Older theatre, a bit dirty, smallish screen. -
Review from Noel D.
1/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to think of Rainbow as the out-of-date theatre in St. Lawrence Market -- not in my neighbourhood and lacking the technology needed to experience certain modern films to their full potential. But now the reasons I wasn't so initially thrilled with Rainbow are why I love it.
I'm not really into seeing movies in IMAX, and I'm definitely not down with 3-D either. A good film is a good film and I just want to have the classic aspects of going to the theatre without all the bells and whistles that end up putting a massive dent in your wallet. This is where Rainbow slays the competition.
Most theatres downtown don't participate in the "cheap Tuesday" game anymore, but Rainbow still keeps it real and offers $5 tickets that day of the week (used to be $4). They also keep things light at the concession stand as well, so two people can go see a great film and split a large drink and popcorn for less than 20 bones! Unheard of at mega-theatres.
They have some pretty old school decor with slighty tacky murals and carpeting from 1974, but that's my style. Went to see True Grit a couple of nights ago and a movie that good engages you so much you never think twice to which theatre you're seeing it in. Places like Scotiabank and AMC are so ridiculous these days anyway -- overpopulated with loudmouth teens and ludicrous prices. Rainbow is my spot for now and I'm going to try and hit it up on Tuesdays more often.
Also, their popcorn is quite good. I never usually finish a large bag but I actually took mine home with me. First time I've done this in years! -
Review from Jordan T.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2011
Rainbow Cinema takes the stress out of seeing a movie. You don't have to fight through throngs of people to buy tickets and the theatres themselves are usually less than half full. It's also nice to get away from the bastions of consumerism that are AMC and Scotiabank. When you go there you have this kind of "we're all in this together" feeling.
You are also allowed to bring in outside food and drink and don't have to feel ashamed if you do. Every time you go there will be people with Tim Horton's coffees and full bags of chips from Metro next door.
As others have mentioned, this is not where you want to see the newest special effects centric movie, as the set up is a bit antiquated. But for dramas and comedies you can't beat it.
The prices are also very reasonable. I think the regular price is $9 including tax. -
Review from Elvis A.
8/23/2011
I am not a fan of this cinema. I guess their matinee Tuesdays draw a crowd here. I still can't justify watching an action flick here for non action movies it might not matter . The seats are not comfy and the sound system and projection is not exactly audio/videophile material. I would rather wait for the weekend and watch the matinee show for 6$ at AMC Dundas.
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Review from Kevin C.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love to see movies here. It's half the price of a normal theater and you still get to see the latest releases. I'm not interested in paying extra for a slightly more comfortable chair or a slightly bigger movie screen. Just give me a place to sit and a movie I want to see.
My favourite part about this place is the atmosphere. There's a piano in the lobby you can play (if you CAN play piano, seriously don't touch it if you suck) and some art on display as you walk down the hall. And yes, the screens are a tad bit smaller, but honestly, how freakin big do you need the screen? You might want to think about getting better glasses.
Unfortunately the concession stand isn't all that much cheaper, but I stopped paying for popcorn a long time ago. However with all the money you're saving on the movie, you might as well treat yourself. Or you can do what I do, and just see twice as many movies. -
Review from susan c.
8/11/2009
$6 for FIRST-RUN movies. $4 on Tuesdays.
Who cares if the screen is smaller and the theater smells a little like wet dog on rainy days? The S.O. and I have seen four movies here so far. That's a combined savings of $64* versus going to one of those mega-mall cinema chains with screaming babies in the audience.**
Just be aware that Tuesdays are extra crowded, especially for the new releases, and we always see a hoard of teeny-boppers bringing in their own meals. I don't mean snacks; they smuggle in pizza, fried chicken, even boxes of Chinese take-out. I don't know about you but the smell of Kung Pao chicken is kind of distracting when I'm trying to focus on "The Ugly Truth."
Still, it's $4 for a movie ticket. I'll get over it.
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* That's $64 going directly into the EUF (Ematei Udon Fund).
** The screaming babies have separate screenings on Thursdays called "Movies for Mommies."Listed in: A Frugalista in Toronto, I Am Not a Freeloading Movie…
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Review from Wing H.
Toronto, ON
5/31/2010
Best popcorn in the city bar none ( the worst is AMC)
Not sure if they use a syrup mix for their colas, but it is the coldest and best tasting Diet Pepsi anywhere in the city including 7-11.
The pre movie animation is funny and unique, not sure if they were going for the pre CGI feel, but it does give you sense of nostalgia for going to the movies in the 70's.
Only down side is that some of the movie screens are fairly small, but you can't have it all. -
Review from Real B.
Toronto, ON
7/10/2011
It's cheap. It's retro. It's cozy (I've been groped here) It's hidden deep, deep down. Interesting experience and crowd.
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Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
6/11/2009 3 Check-ins Here
No doubt there's a few things to complain about in this small theatre but it's only $4 on Tuesdays or for matinées! Even on a normal night it's still $4 cheaper than a big shop. Tuesdays tend to be a bit busier so the comments about breathing room tend to be warranted.
I'm always pleasantly surprised when I find that they're playing first-runs. You can't really go wrong unless you truly want the "big screen" experience.
I'll usually team this up with a couple of pints at C'est What before hand since it's just across the street. -
Review from Jon S.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2009
$4 Tuesdays - what's not to love?
Last week I saw a matinee of Adventureland and tomorrow afternoon it's The Hannah Montana Movie. Hey - I'll go see anything for 4 bucks. Yes: anything.
The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because the seats leave no breathing room and because I'm not allowed to bring in my tall Starbucks americano. It's a crappy shot of espresso with some hot water in it - what's the big deal? Suck it, vendor girl. Suck. It. -
Review from Alex K.
4/19/2011
Very decent little movie theatre for the price. It doesn't have the largest screen, seats, or sound system but in the end you get what you pay for. The price well more than makes up for it, so I'd say that because of that, this is my fav movie theatre in Toronto thus far.
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Review from Brian C.
Toronto, ON
3/3/2010 2 Check-ins Here
- Good popcorn.
- Staff is human.
- Someone is usually playing the baby Grand while you line up for your tickets.
- Compared to AMC and Scotiabank theatres this is a much better area for dinner and a movie. You can street park on Front or King, grab a decent meal from Spring Rolls, Fionn MaCool's, Paddy's or Colbern Lane if you are looking for something high end. If you go early, you can shop at St. Lawrence, and hit the LCBO. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2008
Stadium seating and $15 snack packages are overrated. This is the dawn of getting bang for your buck, and the Rainbow Market Cinemas hits you so light on your pocketbook you almost forget you're in the 21st century.
I go here because it's a good place to relax after St. Lawrence Market and, most importantly, because it's dirt cheap for first-run flicks -- I live for $4 Tuesdays and the just-as-reasonable $6 matinee screenings.
From the tacky painted Hollywood mural and the vertigo-inducing stairs down into the cavernous multiplex, to the third-rate Rainbow Cinemas intro graphics and animations, this place isn't pretending to be anything other than a place to see movies outside of your own home. I love it.
Also caters to people who are hard of hearing (open captioning is available on select titles) and mommies/whining babies who just want to go somewhere they're tolerated (ie., their own Movies for Mommies screening). -
Review from Paul G.
Toronto, ON
12/29/2010
This place is a bit of a retro cinema and still plays videos from the 80s before movies. The seats are a bit cramped and you don't get a lot of leg-room. However, on Tuesdays you get movies for half price, so I saw the 7th Harry Potter (part one) in its first week of release there for only $5, which for me was a bargain. Aside from going there on Tuesdays, I can't really recommend anything else about it - I either prefer bigger, more comfortable seats in a big name cinema, or going to a smaller, more intimate independent cinema that they do so well in parts of Europe.
Not the best place to see movies, but I do recommend it on a Tuesday. -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2008
Rainbow really deserves recognition for having control over the world's only time machine. How else can you explain that this theatre looks, smells and feels like it were plucked out of the 90s. You have to question their choice of time period to choose (it's no 1955...), but that's besides the point.
The most important part of their accidentally 90s operation is that their prices have somehow remained in the 90s as well. A Tuesday/matinee ticket will break you a meager $4.25, while a regular priced ticket is something $6 or $8 dollars.
A tip for you Ryerson students: your student cards enable you to get a discount! It's true! It's a strangely unadvertised secret that has saved me at least $2 dollars! Not that $2 is much money, but hey, discounts are discounts. Strangely, I don't think this discount applies to any of the other Toronto post-secondary schools. Not really sure why... -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2009
You know when you see a movie preview, and you're thinking, "This COULD be a good movie. But it could also suck." Then you get to the theatre, pay $14 for admission, another $15 on popcorn and a drink, and end up hating the movie, and cursing the $30 you just spent on a shitty movie.
Next time you see that questionable preview, see if the movie is playing at Rainbow, and go there instead. On a Tuesday. And you will spend $4 on the ticket, $4 on popcorn, and you will win either way, because even if the movie is good you still saved a bunch of money!
That said, the theatre may as well be an artifact from 1991, including the uncomfortable chairs and the level seating, which means that a tall person sitting in front of you can ruin the whole movie.
But $4! I like having Rainbow as an option, and I hope that with all our 5-star reviews, it won't go anywhere anytime soon.
Also they have a grand piano out front which invites the most daring of people to share their talent (or lack thereof). Makes for an interesting scenario at least! -
Review from Yvonne T.
1/20/2011
Came here for a movie after dinner. Very eclectic theatre. First and foremost when you enter the lobby it has art on display cases. You then proceed downstairs to the actual cinema area... The walls are lined with graffiti of movie characters... Very strange. The theatres are all very tiny and everything is just outdated. I would definitely opt for the more modern and spacious cinemas.
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Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2008
In a city with a mix of both large-scale stadium-seated movie theatres, as well as older-venue repertory cinemas, it's nice to have a bit of a throwback venue that you can go to and experience older-style cinema days. The Rainbow Cinema is just that. It's not a large theatre and it knows it.
Having worked in the area in my early days in Toronto, my fellow co-workers and I would leave our late shifts and bolt for the cinema with the hopes of catching what was then the nearly-new-run movies that the Rainbow had to offer. To this day, the Rainbow does the same. By bringing in movies that are not brand new, they're able to avoid the opening weekend rushes and bring the films to the public at a reduced cost.
The theatres themselves are smaller, seating no more than 150 in a theatre. As such, the compacted crowd in a theatre provides a smaller sense of community and harkens back to the day when cinemas in a theatre complex were all about this size, comparable to that which you'd find at the Carleton (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...).
The sound is adequate, the screens are decently sized, and the seats are unapologetically old school. So yes, you run the risk of a Chris Bosh-a-like sitting in front of you, but that's the price you may have to pay for supporting a small local theatre and having an old school experience. -
Review from Tiffany G.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2010
Honestly, any theater that offers $4.00 tickets on Tuesday (all day) and $8.50 tickets in the evening (even on a weekend) to new movies while still showing films with quality in a clean and friendly downtown location will automatically recieve a 5 stars from me. Sure, the screens are not as big as Scotia Bank or Silver City, but the price is a heck of alot cheaper. And in this day an age where you can download a movie even before it hits theaters - but still feel a twinge of guilt doing so - Rainbow Cinema is the next best choice.
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Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2010
This place is kitschy cute and cheap, and that's why I like it. You can go to the cineplex (for $5 more!) and get the same experience no matter what coast you`re on. What's great about Rainbow is that it's unique: the dated decor, small screen and seating area, and the Pong-era intro animation made me chuckle. I'm not old enough to know nostalgia for pre-cineplex times but part of me wishes I was.
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Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
4/1/2009
Look, I've got bad circulation, I need room for elbows and legs to get a stretch every 1/2 hour or I might die of a blood clot. Sure admission is cheap but is the torturous cramped seating arrangement worth death? Like, I think being stuffed in a sausage casing would give me more elbow room. And then you add hot summer b.o. and people who bring their kids to adult movies. And is it better than the alternative which is to pay $25 with a popcorn combo and taxes for a slightly bigger seat and a cup holder. I dunno but this is why I stay home and wait for it on dvd.
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Review from Sean M.
Winnipeg, MB
6/9/2010
great place to catch a flick for cheap.
