Regal Sawgrass

When the Regal Sawgrass opened in 1991 as the Cobb Sawgrass 18, it was the largest movie theater complex east of the Rocky Mountains. Regal took over the theater in 1998 and added five more screens, as well as further upgrades over the years, like stadium seating and an IMAX theater. As newer theater amenities, such as luxury recliners, upgraded concessions, and other premium formats, are popping up in theaters across the country and South Florida, Regal Sawgrass has fallen to the wayside. During my lone visit to Regal Sawgrass in 2025, my auditorium was filled with uncomfortable, almost twenty-year-old folding theater seats. But there was hope on the horizon as the lobby included a display with the promise of recliners in the future.

Now, almost a year later, the Regal Sawgrass is undergoing a new transformation that will completely revitalize the cinema. The concession stand and lobby are being renovated from top to bottom, and new recliners are being installed. This conversion will make Regal Sawgrass only the third Regal theater in Broward County with reclining seating (four if you count the Regal VIP at Dania Beach) and one of the few IMAX theaters in South Florida with recliners. Regal is also installing a 4DX theater at Sawgrass to pair with its IMAX theater. The premium theater will be only the third 4DX theater in South Florida and the eighth in the state.

The renovation is ongoing as the entire lobby is blocked off with a makeshift concession stand offering only bottled drinks, candy, and popcorn temporarily in place. When visiting the theater the other day, I felt like I needed a hard hat to get around. However, a number of theaters have already upgraded to recliners, including the IMAX theater, which also has a new laser projector and upgraded screen. So if you had written off the Regal Sawgrass due to its antiquated seats, lobby, and amenities in the past, hope is on the horizon, and it may be almost time to give it another look.