Movie theaters are weird right now. Everyone says they're dying because we all have massive OLED screens in our living rooms and enough streaming subscriptions to fund a small nation. Yet, if you walk into the Regal Broward & RPX on a Friday night, the smell of overpriced popcorn and the hum of a hundred different conversations tell a different story. It’s located right there in the Westfield Broward mall—well, mostly everyone just calls it the Broward Mall—and it has survived everything from the rise of Netflix to a global pandemic that kept us all indoors for a year.
It’s an interesting spot. Unlike some of the ultra-modern, "everything is chrome" theaters popping up in Miami, the Broward Mall movie theater feels a bit more lived-in. It’s grounded. It’s the kind of place where you probably went on your first date in high school, and now you’re taking your kids to see the latest Pixar flick. It has that specific suburban South Florida energy.
The RPX Factor and What You’re Actually Paying For
Let’s talk about the RPX. People ask all the time if it’s actually worth the extra five bucks. RPX stands for Regal Premium Experience. Is it IMAX? No. But it’s definitely not your standard screen either. You get a massive screen, a sound system that literally vibrates your seat during explosions, and those high-back rockers that are surprisingly comfortable if you aren't a fan of the full recliners.
The audio in the RPX theater is the real winner here. They use a custom 7.1 surround sound system. If you’re watching a horror movie, you’ll hear the floorboards creak behind your left shoulder. In an action movie, the bass is tuned so high you can feel the engine revs in your chest. Some people find it a bit much. Honestly, if you have sensitive ears, you might want to stick to the standard digital screens. But for a blockbuster? It’s hard to go back once you’ve done the premium thing.
Finding the Sweet Spot in the Theater
Every regular has their "spot." At the Regal Broward, the auditoriums are raked pretty well, so you don't usually have to worry about a tall guy in a hat ruining your view. Pro tip: aim for row G or H in the mid-sized theaters. It’s the perfect height where your neck isn't tilted up, but you’re still close enough for the screen to fill your entire field of vision.
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The seating has seen some upgrades over the years. We aren't talking about the full "dine-in" beds you see at some luxury spots, but the leatherette rockers are clean and well-maintained. That’s a big deal. Nobody wants to sit in a mystery stain from 2014.
The Logistics of a Mall Theater
Parking is the bane of everyone's existence in Plantation. At Broward Mall, you want to park on the south side near the main entrance. Don’t bother with the stuff near JCPenney unless you enjoy walking half a mile through a maze of perfume kiosks. If you’re coming for a late-night show, remember that the mall doors might be locked when you come out. You’ll have to use the dedicated theater exit, which can be a little disorienting at 1:00 AM when the parking lot is a ghost town.
Food is another thing. You have the standard concession stand—popcorn, ICEEs, those nachos with the cheese that probably shouldn't be that color but tastes amazing anyway. But since you’re at the mall, you have options. Most people hit the food court first. Just don't try to sneak a whole Teriyaki Experience bowl into the theater. The staff is usually pretty chill, but a giant bag of bourbon chicken is hard to hide under a hoodie.
Why This Location Outlasts the Competition
There are plenty of other screens in the area. You’ve got the Paradox over in Davie and some fancy spots in Fort Lauderdale. So why does the Broward Mall movie theater keep ticking?
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- Accessibility. It’s right off University Drive and close to I-595. It’s the "middle ground" for friends meeting up from Sunrise, Davie, and Weston.
- Pricing. Regal has a pretty solid loyalty program called Regal Crown Club. If you go once a month, the points actually add up to free popcorn or tickets pretty quickly. They also have "Value Days," usually Tuesdays, where tickets are significantly cheaper.
- The Nostalgia Loop. There is something about the mall-theater combo that just works. It’s a complete afternoon. You shop, you eat, you see a movie. It’s the classic American Saturday.
The Reality of Modern Cinema
It isn't perfect. Sometimes the kiosks are glitchy, and you'll find yourself standing in line while one person struggles to figure out how to scan their phone. And let's be real, the prices for a large soda are bordering on criminal. But that’s the industry standard, not just a Broward Mall thing. Theaters make almost zero profit on the actual ticket sales—most of that goes back to the studios like Disney or Warner Bros. The popcorn is how they keep the lights on and the AC blasting at 68 degrees.
Speaking of AC: bring a sweater. This is Florida. The theater management seems to believe we are all currently on fire and need to be flash-frozen. Even if it’s 95 degrees outside, it’s 60 degrees inside auditorium six. You've been warned.
Is It Still Worth Going?
People always debate this. "Why spend $20 when I can wait three months and watch it on my couch?"
Because of the scale. You can't replicate the communal experience of a packed house laughing at the same joke or the collective gasp when a plot twist hits. The Broward Mall movie theater provides that space. It’s one of the few places left where we all agree to sit in the dark together and shut up for two hours. Mostly. There’s always that one person who won't stop checking their bright-as-the-sun iPhone, but hey, that's part of the charm.
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What to Know Before You Go
Check the app before you leave your house. The Regal app is actually decent for checking seat availability. If a movie is in its opening weekend, don't just show up and expect a good seat. Everything is reserved seating now. Gone are the days of sending your fastest friend into the theater to put jackets over five seats. You pick your spot when you buy the ticket. It saves a lot of stress, honestly.
If you're a frequent flyer, look into Regal Unlimited. For about the price of two tickets a month, you can see as many movies as you want. If you live in Plantation or Sunrise, it's a no-brainer.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
To make the most of your trip to the Broward Mall cinema, follow this loose "insider" game plan:
- Book via the app but skip the convenience fee: If you have the Regal Unlimited pass, the fee is smaller, but you can also just use the kiosks at the front if you aren't worried about a sell-out.
- Arrive 20 minutes "late": Regal is notorious for playing about 20 to 25 minutes of trailers and "Noovie" segments. If the showtime says 7:00 PM, the actual movie isn't starting until at least 7:22 PM.
- Join the Crown Club: Even if you don't get the Unlimited pass, the free membership gets you discounts on popcorn on Tuesdays.
- Check the Rating: This theater is a popular hangout for teens on weekends. If you want a quiet, serious viewing of an indie film, try a weekday matinee or a late-night Sunday showing to avoid the "mall crowd" energy.
- Validate nothing: Unlike some downtown theaters, parking here is free and plentiful. You don't need to worry about a ticket or a garage gate.
The movie-going experience has changed, but the core of it remains. The big screen at Broward Mall is a reminder that some things are just better when they're twenty feet tall and loud enough to shake your popcorn bucket. Whether you're there for the RPX intensity or just a cheap Tuesday matinee, it’s a staple of the local community for a reason.