Toronto 10 Years After Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Toronto has been the backdrop of many films acting as New York City, Baltimore, the fictional Midway City and more. Sadly, Toronto is never just Toronto in these films, but in 2010 Toronto and its landmarks got to shine internationally in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Today, marks the 10th anniversary of the film’s release, which is based on Canadian author and artist Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel. While the film did not recoup its budget at the box office and was considered a “bomb,” it garnered a cult following. In fact, select North American theatres are showing the film tonight.

The cast featured a mix of well-known and upcoming actor and actresses such as Michael Cera, Alison Pill, Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza and more. A majority of them recently reunited for an EW Reunion, where they did a table read in support of Water for People. Director Edgar Wright even said “the love that you the fans have continued to show for this movie has not only kept this movie alive and kicking, but has sustained us and our friendships as well.”

Like the graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is the ultimate love letter to Toronto. As you can imagine though, a lot has changed in 10 years. Honest Ed’s is being redeveloped, Sonic Boom has moved twice times and the Canary District was an industrial wasteland. In honour of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’s 10th anniversary here are 10 iconic landmarks from the film then and now. Be sure to check out the slideshow below each description and can we talk about how Other Scott is my 2020 crush?

Honest Ed’s

Honest Ed’s exterior is featured when Knives (Ellen Wong) and Scott (Michael Cera) are walking and when the Sex Bob-Ombs are sitting inside the Pizza Pizza on the northwest corner of Bathurst and Bloor after Scott’s fight with Todd (Brandon Routh). The iconic discount europium by Ed Mirvish was not only known for its flashy sign, but creepy cuckoo-clock, bargains many couldn’t believe, crooked floors and annual turkey giveaway.

For decades Torontonians would “come in a get lost,” but on New Year’s Eve 2016, Honest Ed’s said goodbye. Its sign dismantled, its building demolished and Mirvish Village shut down. If you sit in the Pizza Pizza, which is still there, or walk north on Bathurst, you’ll see construction hoarding and the first of five towers being erected in what will soon be an urban hub with retail, affordable housing, restored heritage buildings and civic spaces.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography)

Sonic Boom

Knives and Scott browse the aisles of Sonic Boom where Julie (Aubrey Plaza) works in the film. Sonic Boom opened in 2001 at 512 Bloor St. W. and had a vast collection of vinyl, CDs and DVDs as well as unique window displays by Tim Oakley. It also acted a concert venue, with a small stage that hosted the likes of Sloan, Ravonettes and more.

The record shop was reportedly forced out of its 512 Bloor location, which is now home to a Dollarama. It moved to Honest Ed’s, opened a second location in Kensington Market (now closed) and is now located in Chinatown. No matter how many times it’s relocated it still is a staple in our music scene.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, BlogTO, Personal Photography)

TTC Bus

Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Scott take a ride along Carlton Street towards Cabbagetown in what was nicknamed the fishbowl bus. The bus was part of the TTC’s “GM New Look” fleet, which was a standard bus type across North America. It had a window in the back, two steps at each door and to get out you had to stand on the steps - which meant there was always that person on a crowded bus standing on them delaying the journey.

The GM New Look bus was retired in 2011 and today’s bus fleet is mostly low-floor, accessible and hybrid electric. At the time of this piece, buses were running this route instead of streetcars.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography, TTC)

Wychwood Library

The 1916 built Eden Smith & Sons building was gift to the city by Andrew Carnegie. In the film, Scott and Knives browse the shelves of the library, which is currently closed for a renovation and a new glass expansion.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Toronto Public Library)

Lee’s Palace

When Sex Bob-Omb open for Clash at Demonhead, it is at Lee’s Palace. We not only see the interior of the venue, but get a shot of the exterior, which features a 1992 mural by artist Al Runt.

The film immortalizes this mural as in November 2009, it was removed as construction began for a Big Fat Burrito. The current mural was completed in late 2010 and is still there, but Big Fat Burrito is not. Also hearing Brie Larson say Lee's Palace is smile worthy!

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography)

Canary District

When Scott goes to battle Gideon (Jason Schwartzman) at Chaos Theatre, he walks straight down Front Street East to an entrance sandwiched between two abandoned buildings – the one of the right was the old Canary Restaurant. The entranceway in real life does not exist and in Google Street View, if you find the right angle, you can see them installing the entrance (picture below).

This area saw the biggest transformation since the movie. It is now its own Toronto neighbourhood named after the iconic restaurant that graced the corner of Front and Cherry. The neighbourhood was built as an Athlete’s Village for the 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games. After the games the housing became condos, George Brown College expanded its campus and a YMCA moved in.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Google Maps, Personal Photography)

Insomnia / The Green Beanery

Scott walks past these two restaurants on his way to phone booth, yes a phone booth, to call Knives in this blink or you’ll miss it moment.

The Insomnia sign has changed, but if the 10th anniversary happened pre-pandemic the business would have both still been operational. However Green Beanery shut down in April, leaving Insomnia as the sole survivor of in this scene.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography)

Toronto Skyline

The final shot of the Toronto skyline has definitely seen some change. The financial district saw a boom in development with new business towers and hotels going up.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography)

Casa Loma

Casa Loma was the backdrop for a Lucas Lee (Chris Evans) film and fight scene between him and Scott. A top tourist attraction and museum that enchants thousands, the castle has been the backdrop to many films before Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Today it’s pretty much the same, though Liberty Entertainment Group has added escape rooms and a restaurant called BlueBlood Steakhouse.

(Photo Credit: Torontoist, Personal Photography,

Distillery District

An abandoned building, this 100-year-old warehouse was once the General Distilling Company and Mill Paper Fibres Incorporated. The Sex Bob-Ombs stood outside the building before battling the Katayanagi Twins and before Gideon leaves with Ramona.

Today it is still abandoned, proving some things don’t change in 10 years.

(Photo credit: Personal Photography + lead image IMDB).