A list of free outdoor movies in Toronto this summer.

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? The milk in this case is the chance to watch films without paying, and I don't mean by sneaking into a theatre. And the metaphorical milk in this case is almond milk...where my vegans at? Back on topic, if you didn't already know that you have tons of opportunities to watch films for FREE in Toronto this summer, here you go. There are free film events happening all over our great city, so grab a blanket, grab a friend, and I'll see you movie lovers there.

I've highlighted my personal DO NOT MISS films in Bold, to make stalking me easier.

City Cinema: Cult Classics at Yonge & Dundas Square (TUE)
Location: South East Corner of Yonge & Dundas

Tue, 25 June @ 9:00pm - Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Tue, 2 July @ 9:00pm - Army of Darkness (1992)
Tue, 9 July @ 9:00pm - Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tue, 16 July @ 9:00pm - Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Tue, 23 July @ 9:00pm - The Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Tue, 30 July @ 8:30pm - The Goonies (1985)

It's a little annoying watching films in the square because of light and noise pollution, but since it's free, you've got nothing to lose. Give it a shot!

Free Flicks: Harbourfront (WED)
Location: Lower Simcoe St & Queens Quay, Harbourfront Centre

July 03 @ 9:00pm - Little Shop of Horrors: The Director's Cut
July 10 @ 9:00pm - Galaxy Quest
July 17 @ 9:00pm - Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
July 24 @ 9:00pm - Top Secret!
July 31 @ 9:00pm - Streets of Fire
August 7 @ 9:00pm - The Triplets of Belleville
August 14 @ 9:00pm - That Thing You Do!
August 21 @ 9:00pm - Josie and the Pussycats
August 28 @ 9:00pm - Audience Choice

There's a terrific selection of free flicks at Harbourfront this year, including my top choice Galaxy Quest. If you hear an annoying guy in the audience saying all the best lines as they happen on screen, that's me, don't forget to say "hi" — or "shhhhhh."

TIFF In the Park: A Summer of Romance (WED)
Location: King & Simcoe, David Pecaut Square

July 3 @ 9:15 PM - Casablanca
July 10 @ 9:15 PM - Moonstruck
July 17 @ 9:15 PM - City Lights
July 24 @ 9:15 PM - Sleepless in Seattle
July 31 @ 9:00 PM - The Way We Were
August 7 @ 9:00 PM - Clueless
August 14 @ 9:00 PM - Sense and Sensibility
August 21@ 8:30 PM - Roman Holiday
August 28 @ 8:30 PM - The Notebook

This lineup sounds like the perfect cure for insomnia, so if you like falling asleep outside at night, surrounded by strangers, in downtown Toronto, then this is for you! Be sure to tell your grandma though, or that lonely aunt you have with all of the cats.

Junction Movie Nights (FRI)
Location: The Junction Train Platform (Dundas St. West / Pacific Ave.)

June 22 @ 9:30PM - "Steamboat Bill" featuring live music accompaniment.
Every Second Friday in July & August - More Movies announced soon!

Seeing a Movie with live musical accompaniment can be an incredible adventure. Step back in time and experience film like it used to be, before "talkies" ruined it for everyone. Plus it's on a train platform, which is super weird. You'll finally have something interesting to instagram besides your lunch.

Movies in the Park - Riverdale Park East (SUN)
Location: 550 Broadview Ave

July 7 @ "when it's dark" - Top Gun
July 21 @ "when it's dark" - Goonies
Aug 4 @ "when it's dark" - ET the Extra Terrestrial
Aug 18 @ "when it's dark" - Ferris Beuller's Day Off

If you can resist watching Ferris Beuller's Day Off on any screen in any locale, then you're a much stronger person than me. This will be my first time at the Riverdale event, so I'll be sure to report back on the viewing conditions.

Christie Pits Film Festival: Hits in the Pits (SUN)
Location: Christie Pits Park

July 7 @ 9PM - That Thing You Do!
July 14 @ 9PM - Gimme Shelter
July 21 @ 9PM - Buena Vista Social Club
July 28 @ 9PM - The Last Waltz

If you didn't get enough films about bands at NXNE, here's you chance to see some cool flicks including some classic Rolling Stones. Expect people to be dancing on their blankets at this one.

Dog Bowl Movie Night / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park

Join the Dog Bowl Movie Night Facebook group for updates.

Probably my favourite free film event in Toronto. Last year's screening of the greatest comedy of all time Wet Hot American Summer was the most fun I've had at the bottom of a hill sober with all of my clothes on. Full disclosure: I was neither sober nor fully clothed.

Sail-In Cinema / Movies and dates TBD
Location: Sugar Beach (25 Dockside Drive)

Sail-In Cinema claims to be the "world's first two-sided floating movie experience" and "Toronto's largest outdoor theatre event". For three summer nights, Canada's Sugar Beach is transformed into an outdoor theatre. Movies are shown under the open skies on a two-sided screen set atop a barge in Toronto Harbour. Watch movies for free from the water, or pull up a sandcastle and watch from the beach. Warning: sitting on a sandcastle will likely make a child cry, so wait until after the movie.

Did we miss any other Free outdoor film screening? Please let us know in the comments.

Photo courtesy of the Sail-In Cinema