Cumberland 4 Theatre

The top point-​scoring aspects of the Cumberland are the rotation of films, and the convenient location near a subway. I like the selection of indie/​foreign/​doc films, but it’s not enough to have me going there super often.
The cinemas are a little on the older side, and aren’t quite as comfortable as some of the chain cinemas, or even smaller independant cinemas like the Carlton. Snacks and movie tickets are still on the expensive side though, and when I can’t even earn Scene points on the ticket — well, that kinda sucks.
In short: good for some different film options, but not as a regular visiting spot for flicks.

Seriously old school theater that hangs on by virtue of the fact it shows a lot of foreign language films and indie works. No stadium seating here. High backed chair and cup holders are the only concession to the modern movie going convenience. A small concession stand offers a crap load of food.
The location and films means you won’t be sitting next to some Rye High first year idiots texting and talking through a flick about love and hope in a Swedish abattoir during WWII. That’s a plus. You will get stuck behind three women at the concession stand who have little experience with movie food and can’t understand why you can’t get organic gluten-​free brioche and sushi certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. I really just want my fucking coffee and don’t care how much wildlife died to get it to me.
People might not even bother to take off their bike helmets during the whole movie because they need to let you know they got here via their electric bike.
And so few movie theaters deposit you out into a dark alley upon exiting. It always used to be that way.

I like that this isn’t a movie theatre that is cold and impersonal and jammed with crappy ads before the movies even start. I also like that I can go and see interesting foreign films here that don’t involve anything blowing up and the end of the movie doesn’t always end with everything being perfectly tied up. The Cumberland plays funny and interesting movies, and even some movies that will make you think.
If I go to the theatre, I go to the Cumberland. Also, it’s a little cheaper than other theatres, which is a bonus!

I used to love coming here to watch movies not found anywhere else (either indie or foreign) but now I look at showtimes here and it’s all movies that I’ve already seen in the more mainstream cinemas (even though they are still good
Just a few years ago, this would have surely been a 4 or 5 star place, but now my interactions with Cumberland are checking it’s movie times, and then frustratingly looking elsewhere to get my frequently needed fill of going to a movie theatre.
Their loyalty program also requires a fee whereas Scene and AMC’s MovieWatchers programs are both free. And tickets do not come cheap either for the quality of movie watching experience you reeive.
Staff are very friendly, I’m a fan of the concession stand and it’s also a little nostalgic as this used to be a place I always associated with tiff, but that’s sadly no more.
My suggestion if you want to watch a good movie hardly found somewhere else, check out Carlton Cinema (or the Bell Lightbox) which have now filled the gap Cumberland’s left.

This cinema is definitely outdated and seriously needs better screens and a better sound system.
Cinema 2 has the better sound quality out of the four cinemas.
It is true that most of the movies that play here are independent, but Varsity (in the Manulife Centre) is playing a combination of independent and blockbuster films. Varsity has more films playing that are prolific: alot of them end up being academy award nominated films.
I would pass on this cinema for Varsity anytime!

It’s not the most luxurious movie theater in the area, but what it lacks in creature comforts it more than compensates in terms of movie quality. At the Cumberland, you’ll find independent movies and documentaries that you won’t see anywhere else in Toronto. The people that come here (generally) are serious movie buffs, so you’re less likely to get thrown into a rage, as I am prone to, at a regular cineplex where people are constantly talking, texting, etc.
Best yet, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays the Cumberland offers a special deal: $ 10.95 for an adult ticket that includes popcorn and a drink. Sweet!

Definitely my favourite cinema in the city, hands down. I have many fond memories of excellent films seen here, both as part of festivals (TIFF, Hot Docs, Cinefranco) and regular screenings. Does anyone remember when they didn’t show ANY commercials/​ads? Instead, before the show started, they had slideshows of art from local galleries. Those were the days… It might not be as «state of the art» or BIG as the other cinemas, but the Cumberland makes up for it with personality. More so than in other places, I feel that seeing a movie here is a communal experience. In fact, I remember lots of funny moments of audience members mocking the commercials when the Cumberland introduced them. Once the movie starts however, you can be guaranteed a quiet environment (no chatting or texting during the show). Lots of film buffs come here who are serious about movies. That’s why I don’t mind seeing a screening here on my own, because there are invariably plenty of others doing the same. Since there are only 4 screens, films are chosen carefully and the quality is generally very good.
Also, this might sound bad, but I like the fact that there are very few kids/​teens who come here. I remember coming here when I was 17 and they asked if I was getting a child ticket (12 and under)!! I looked young, but not THAT young. I chalked it up to the fact that the staff hadn’t actually seen a child in decades.
If you come quite often, it’s worth it to buy a membership which is good for one year and gives you a discount on tickets and concessions, as well as at some local businesses. During some special promotion times they’ll even throw in a free DVD when you join!

I can rely on the quality of films being shown at the Cumberland. I’ve only been a couple of times but often it’s the only theater nearby that’s showing a movie that I want to watch. For that, I am thankful.
I’m not a huge fan of the seating arrangement though. Seats are arranged in narrow rows and stretch pretty far back from the screen so you can get some heads bobbing into the bottom of your frame every now and then.

I almost exclusively watch all my movies at Cumberland now. It’s the kind of theater I know I can just show up to, and trust that whatever I’m about to see is going to be amazing.
The theater has great character, though I agree a little ‘re-​fresh’ would be nice to the décor.

Here’s the question, after Hot Docs will I go to this theatre to watch another film? Honestly, probably not. The parking sucks, especially since you have to pay no matter where you go, and it is smack dab in the middle of what always seems to be a million people.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the proximity to the subway station and all of the various restaurants but the that is pretty much the extent of the positives. The cinema itself is small and elderly as far as cinemas go. With seats that swallow you whole making leaving the theatre next to impossible. Their snack stand is teeny tiny, though filled with standard movie fare.
Honestly the only reason I gave three stars instead of two is because I respect their advocating of the arts in their support of various film and documentary festivals.
Bottom line… go here if you must, but there are several theatres in close proximity whose offerings are so much more.

Some of the best movie theatre popcorn I have ever had is from Cumberland 4. No extra butter or anything is required. It is not greasy, but has great flavour (real flavour, not chemical) throughout the whole bag. Highly recommend.
Cumberland 4 also serves Dufflet pastries if you are so inclined. Be careful when you go to pay — as the glass display that showcases all the candy is not completely covered. Don’t drop your money down into the display case like I did!
This theatre does play host to some great shows, but the actual theatre itself is a bit dated when compared to others in the city.
The seats are roomy, but very low to the ground. There is a slight incline from the front to back, so if you are not very tall, you may wish to play musical chairs a bit, depending on who sits in front of you. The fabric on the seats is very early 90’s.
There are a lot of stairs, so if you have any mobility limitations, I believe there is an elevator at the very back of the theatre for use.
The washrooms in the basement (only 2 stalls!) are cramped and outdated too.
But…all the negatives don’t compare to the fact that they show TIFF and Hot Docs films, along with other flicks that will only appear in Toronto on these screens!

I like the fact that it is independent and shows interesting films. But I think movie theatres should be reviewed more significantly on their physcial aspects and this place needs a good updating. Restrooms are inconvenient, and the auditoriums are too long and narrow.
I think it could be rearranged a bit.
On the other hand, big theatre chains don’t pick up a lot of films or, if they are not sure about a smaller or indie film, wait to see its box office results at other theatres first. I went to see «A Single Man» there last night and I think it was only one of two places in Toronto showing it.

I find myself at this theatre a lot because they seem to be the only location downtown that is screening the movies I want to see. Even though they only have four screens they are usually showing good independent films and movies in limited release, so they get top marks for that fact alone.
The theatre is a little bland given the fact it’s in Yorkville and hosts Film Festival events. The screens are relatively small and the theatres are narrow so if you’re sitting in the back you feel a little removed from the film. This is one of those theatres that has speakers at the back but never seem to be turned on… Why is that?
Last time I was here was on a Tuesday and with our tickets we each received a free popcorn and drink. Not bad. Not bad at all.

This is my favourite movie theatre in Toronto. They always have the BEST movies playing and if you become an Alliance member movies are super affordable. Whenever I look at the listings for movies I want to watch, Cumberland always comes up first. Anything that’s Oscar-​nominated, foreign or semi-​independent will have a showing here at some point.
The theatres are nice and roomy and the location is easily accessible by getting out at the Cumberland exit of Bay station.

When I heard a rumour about the Cumberland’s possible demolition, I grabbed a hankie and pined for old times. Then I heard it was safe and cheered. Then I heard it was uncertain. Then I threw my hands in the air, screamed, «forget this!» and went to see a movie.
Yes, there are many, many things wrong with the layout of the theatre, inside and out. Some of the screening rooms are so long that watching the movie feels like you’re looking through a paper towel tube. It’s an older theatre, but not old in the sense of dramatic architectural grandeur — it’s more like the suburban theatres popular in the ‘80s. Straight up, to the point, with bad lighting and blah carpetting.
However, I have a very warm and well-​worn spot in my heart for the Cumberland. I’ve seen some great flicks here, with a pretty good success rate when it comes to non-​mainstream offerings. And there’s something about the front area with the movie posters and marquee that makes me feel like I’m a rom-​com protagonist in a Woody Allen movie.
You don’t come here for a blast-​out-​of-​your-​seat experience, nor for good quality sound or huge screens or a wide array of concessions. You come here because the selection of the movies trumps the other theatres downtown. No over-​budget chase scenes here — just good artistic brain food. Love it.

The Cumberland is pretty much the exact opposite of the big blockbuster movie theaters — your Scotiabank theatre, your AMC Dundas Square. You know, the big monster places with fifty screens that only shows the top five movies on a half dozen screens each. Not that those aren’t needed too — they are. But the Cumberland isn’t that place.
Despite residing in the posh and fancy Yorkville area, the Cumberland doesn’t really have that sort of air about it. With only four screens and a focus on small arthouse, independent and foreign films, this theatre is as far removed from the usual sort of star kissing Hollywood celebrating you can get. The theatres themselves are modestly sized, depending which screen your film plays on. The inside is a pretty standard cinema from concessions to the décor — but that’s the point, really. You’re not here to have a slick VIP lounge with bottle service. You’re here to watch a film.
I like to think that this theatre, while still owned by one of the largest cinema distributors in the world, still keeps an eye out for the underdog. And whether that feeling is cultivated or naturally occurring, it’s still often the only place you’re going to be able to catch these films. So you can’t really bite the hand that feeds you.

I think it’s actually called the Alliance Atlantis Theatre now.
In any case, it’s all about independent and film-​festy type stuff here.
Those little movies that could, like Juno and a whole bunch of Canadian films are always here. The theatre itself has a bit of an old one, which, let’s face it, is kinda nice these days. The service is junk, but you need to have a lobotomy to work in any theatre.
If you wanna see something that doesn’t have Will Smith or stuff blowing up, then this is the spot for you.

I can’t really give this theatre a one-​star, though I want to. boy do I want to. This theatre is one of the smaller, older theatres. They play a lot more less well know movies, not like big blockbusters you’ll find at your local AMC.
This theatre is within the Yorkville district. A celebrity, yuppies hotspot. A place for people watching and showing off fancy cars and such. Not really my thing, and maybe that’s why I have a bias towards this theatre (i admit it, I’m not ashamed to say). The theatre itself, like I said before, is old. The seats are worn down and the cleanliness is nothing to admire. If you’re expecting plushy seats like at the massive theatre at Yonge & Dundas, you’re in for a rude awakening. Almost as rude as some of the people there…