If you live in Tuscaloosa, you probably still call it "The Cobb." It’s okay. Most of us do. Even though the sign out front has said CMX Cinemas for years now, the Cobb Theatre Tuscaloosa AL identity is baked into the city's DNA.
It’s the place where half the town saw Avengers: Endgame in IMAX and the other half had their first awkward middle school date in the back row of a matinee. But there’s a lot of confusion about what’s actually happening with this theater lately. Is it closing? Did it go bankrupt? Why do the seats look like that?
Let’s get into the weeds of what’s really going on with the Hollywood 16.
The Identity Crisis: Cobb vs. CMX
Back in 2017, the world of Southern cinema changed when Mexico-based Cinemex swooped in to buy the Cobb chain. Suddenly, the local staple was part of the eighth-largest theater circuit in the United States.
The transition wasn’t exactly a smooth Hollywood montage. For a while, it felt like the theater was caught between two worlds. You had the old Cobb hospitality mixed with a new corporate logo that nobody quite knew how to pronounce (it’s just C-M-X, by the way).
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Then came 2020.
The pandemic hit movie theaters like a freight train. CMX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2020, and for a hot minute, people thought the Tuscaloosa location was toast. It actually sat dark for months even after other businesses reopened. Rumors of eviction and unpaid rent swirled around the Old Greensboro Road property.
But it survived. It emerged from bankruptcy in late 2020 after renegotiating leases with landlords. Fast forward to mid-2025, and CMX actually filed for Chapter 11 again. It sounds scary, but in the theater business, this is often just a legal maneuver to shed debt and keep the projectors running. As of January 2026, the lights are still on, and the popcorn is still salty.
What’s Actually Inside (The Spec Sheet)
The 65,000-square-foot facility is still the biggest game in town. We're talking 16 screens, including the big-dog IMAX auditorium. If you haven't been in a while, here’s the breakdown of what they’re packing:
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- IMAX: The real deal. It’s the only place in the immediate area to get that floor-to-ceiling immersion.
- D-Box Motion Seats: These are the chairs that vibrate and tilt along with the movie. Honestly, it’s a bit much for a drama, but for something like Avatar: Fire and Ash, it’s basically a theme park ride.
- Stadium Seating: No more looking at the back of a tall guy's head. The "High-Back Rockers" were the gold standard when the place was built.
Kinda interestingly, while many modern theaters have moved to full electric recliners, the Tuscaloosa location mostly stuck with the traditional rocker style. Some people love the nostalgia; others think it’s a bit outdated compared to the luxury "dine-in" spots you find in Birmingham or Atlanta.
The Local Gripes: Broken Seats and Sticky Floors
If you check recent reviews from late 2025, you'll see a recurring theme. The staff? Usually great. People love the kindness of the local workers. But the building itself is showing its age.
There have been ongoing complaints about broken seat springs and restrooms that have seen better days. It's the classic "corporate-owned but locally-neglected" struggle. When a chain goes through two bankruptcies in five years, the maintenance budget is usually the first thing to get chopped.
Still, for a Friday night blockbuster, most people ignore the occasional duct tape on a headrest because the screen quality is still top-tier. The digital projection is 100% up to date, which is what actually matters when the lights go down.
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Pro Tips for the Tuscaloosa Moviegoer
If you’re heading out to the Hollywood 16 this weekend, don't just pay full price like a tourist.
- The Age Rule: After 8:30 PM, you have to be 17 or older with an ID, or be with a parent. They actually enforce this, which is a godsend if you're trying to watch a movie without a pack of roaming teenagers.
- Saver Times: Look for the "SuperSaver" or "Saver" tags on the CMX website. Matinees are significantly cheaper, especially on weekdays.
- The Rewards System: It’s a bit clunky, and people sometimes have trouble redeeming points, but if you go more than once a month, it’s worth signing up just for the concession discounts.
Why It Still Matters
Despite the corporate shuffling and the "Cobb" name technically being a ghost, this theater is a landmark. It’s located right off Skyland Boulevard, making it the hub for everyone from Northport to the University of Alabama campus.
Honestly, the "Cobb Theatre Tuscaloosa AL" legacy persists because it represents a specific era of cinema—big, loud, and communal. While streaming has killed off plenty of smaller screens, the IMAX at Hollywood 16 remains a reason to actually leave your couch.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Visit
- Check the Format: Before booking, verify if you’re in a D-Box or IMAX screen. The price difference is about $5-$8, so don't pay for motion seats if you just wanted a standard ticket.
- Arrive Early: The parking lot can be a maze on Friday nights, especially with the nearby traffic from the Skyland corridor.
- Verify Showtimes: Use the official CMX website or the Atom Tickets app. Third-party sites sometimes lag behind on schedule changes, especially for mid-week indie releases.
- Food Options: If you don't want to spend $20 on a combo, Baumhower’s Victory Grille is literally right there. Most locals grab a bite there first and then head over for the movie.
The future of the theater depends heavily on how the 2025 bankruptcy proceedings wrap up, but for now, the popcorn is popping. Grab a seat—just maybe check the springs before you sit down.