Cineplex Cinemas Beaches to close doors, last films slated to screen on Feb. 17

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

The locally renowned Cineplex Cinemas Beaches is shutting its doors next week after providing more than two decades of entertainment for the community.

“We have loved being members of this wonderful neighbourhood for the past 20 years,” Cineplex said in a statement sent to Beach Metro Community News.

Cineplex said the theatre’s landlord will be leasing the property to another business.

Publicly accessible building permits show that health and wellness business Altea will take over the space – although it remains unclear whether renovations are required before the property reopens.

The six-screen theatre at 1651 Queen St. E. opened in 1999 under the Alliance Atlantis brand before being acquired by Cineplex in 2019.

Cineplex Cinemas Beaches has been a pillar in the neighbourhood for generations – with many locals opting for its quieter atmosphere over the city’s busier Cineplex locations.

“Used to go here all the time, it was close by, small six screens, it made going to a movie quite quaint and cozy,” said one resident in a Facebook post.

News of the cinema’s closure has sparked ongoing discussion among community members, many of whom have taken to social media to reminisce and share fond memories during its heyday.

“Sad. Nothing compares to the cinematic experience of watching a film on the big screen. We’ve been going there pretty much monthly since it opened eons ago,” said another Facebook user.

Another resident alluded to the state of the movie theatre industry post-pandemic, which took a significant hit during lockdowns, but has since recovered with a 12 per cent increase in operating revenue between 2022 and 2024.

“Cineplex the whole company never really recovered after pandemic,” said the resident.

With the Fox Theatre at 2236 Queen St. E. now serving as the closest option for cinephiles in the Beach, many residents have expressed disappointment that there are no longer any nearby locations to catch big blockbuster movies.

“It’s a hit for the neighbourhood. The Fox is my Go/to, but if you wanted to see a Hollywood movie with a decent screen, it was there. Now the closest is Kennedy Commons or downtown. Those places are madness in the evenings,” said one resident.

Cineplex offered gratitude to Beach residents for their support over the years, and said the company looks forward to seeing them attend other Cineplex locations across the city.

“We are grateful to the Beaches community for their support and look forward to welcoming familiar faces to our nearby Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP and Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas locations,” said Cineplex.

Cineplex Cinemas Beaches will host its last screenings on Tuesday, Feb. 17.