CMX Downtown at the Gardens & IMAX — Attraction in Palm Beach Gardens

Unlike most of the other reviews on here this is a cautionary tale. I have been waiting to post this as I loved Cobb/CMX, but management for this place has gone so down hill that I will not be returning. I would consider myself a prudent man. Not given to bouts of outspokenness or craving attention, and certainly not one to rock the boat. On any given day I can be found reading a crime novel on a park bench in the middle of the park, soaking in the beautiful weather of our sunshine state, while nibbling on my tuna fish sandwiches and fending off the voracious gulls and squirrels that threaten to spoil my repose. This is me. Law-abiding and introspective. Which is why it came as a shock to me to find myself emotionally incarcerated because of the Devil's Confectionery, Satan's Sweetmeat, Lucifer's Lozenges - the horror that is known as CMX.

It was late, and I wanted to see the new F1 film. The theater was filthy. It looked as if a tornado had hit the inside and the inside only of the cinema. The staff were attending to it, digging the place out of what I assumed to be a busy night which I understand as while I enjoy reading I do not live under a rock. I know of the Minecraft struggles with children throwing food and beverages in excitement of the film in recent months and that we are in summer and this place is probably busy.

Now I was running late for my film, and I was feeling a bit peckish, my stomach rumbling loudly in protestation, which caused me to look around at their menu and candy options. The lines to connection were never ending, but I am a smart man and I noticed the line in the back area was empty, so I get out of my place in line and go to that one.

Now I'd like to pause here for a moment to set the record straight. The official name of CMX is CMX Bistro. Bistro is defined as “a small, relatively simple restaurant” so referring to this place as a restaurant, and being told that it is not, is a lie. And while on the subject of that, CMX also refers to themselves both as an experience and a lifestyle, neither of which are shown in the quality. But back to more important matters. That line in the back was not open. No signs to state this. No nothing. So really anyone could make this mistake and suffer the consequences. I go to the back area near the bathrooms. yuck. these bathrooms smell like pee and the back area looks worse. I waited in line for 8 minutes until I am told they are not open on that register. I tell the worker that I was waiting in line but came to this one as I assumed it was empty. He explained that he was not open on this one and that if I wanted to order something it would have to be on the other side.

Now keep in mind that I was already running late for my film about 10 minutes late. Add that 10 to probably 15 I was in line for, plus the 8 I was in an unopen line, and that is 33. I am missing 33 minutes of my movie. I tell the man who said I can’t order on that side if I can cut in line but was told no. I wait in line again and finally am able to get my food. I ordered a hot dog, fries, popcorn and a coke. So everything is good now right? Wrong.

I got lost looking for my theater as they just have numbers and no signs saying which film is where. I ask for help and am finally able to watch F1. I go to put my stuff on my chair, and then use the bathroom as waiting in line for 30 plus minutes made me need to relieve myself. I go to the restroom and I was horrified. This was the worst bathroom I have ever seen in my entire life. keep in mind that this is in fact a restaurant/Bistro. I feel unsafe in the bathroom and leave. I look at the time and realize that the movie has been playing for an hour and seventeen minutes. I wasted an hour and seventeen minutes in line for food and getting lost looking for my theater. I decided to just leave, I would have gotten a refund, but I did not want to say another second in that place.

Needless to say, I will never...

I’m honestly heartbroken by how we were treated at CMX Theater on July 8th, 2025. My husband and I were finally able to plan a rare date night, our first real night out since having our baby. We arranged and paid for a babysitter, got excited about seeing a movie together, and were genuinely looking forward to this baby free moment together out of the house after so long. Instead, our night was completely ruined by the dismissive and rude behavior of one of your employees and the CMX late policy (if there truly is one).

We arrived at the theater at 10:59 PM for a 10:45 PM movie. The doors were already locked, but we knocked, hoping someone could let us in and help us buy tickets. When an employee came to the door, he asked if we had tickets. My husband misunderstood, thinking he meant, do you want to buy tickets, and said “yes.” The employee then asked to see the tickets, and when my husband clarified that we wanted to purchase them, the employee accused him of lying. The interaction immediately became tense, with the employee acting irritated, condescending, and unnecessarily harsh.

We explained we were hoping to buy tickets he, visibly annoyed, agreed to let us go to the kiosk , but since the show had already started, it was no longer available at the kiosks. Another couple that arrived right behind us experiencing the same thing argued with the employee asking to buy tickets from him, and instead of showing any understanding, the employee dismissed all of us and said he wouldn’t have even let us in if he hadn’t believed my husbands “lie.” That comment, along with his refusal to help or offer any options, was incredibly hurtful and unprofessional.

We weren’t late by much. We weren’t rude. We were hopeful and excited. And we left feeling embarrassed, frustrated, and completely let down. For a company like CMX, I would have expected at least a little grace or empathy, especially with such a small delay and multiple customers standing there, ready and willing to pay. I have never heard of being denied a movie less than 15 minutes after start time the opening credits were probably still playing!

This was more than just a missed movie for us. It was time we carved out for each other in a life that doesn’t leave much room for moments like these and money we spent from our extremely tight budget on a baby sitter for a date night. And it was ruined by a lack of compassion and very poor customer service. I don’t think we will be coming back.

(I almost asked for his name but I was so upset and uncomfortable in the moment that I just wanted to leave. He was an older white gentleman, somewhat heavyset with...

Downtown at the Gardens is going through some major renovations. The theater is included. I had no problem with parking or getting to the theater because I use the stairs facing the parking lot. The theater now has 3 kiosks to scan the QR code for your tickets which tell you what theater your movie is playing at. There was only one person inside to assist patrons getting tickets or helping with the kiosks. So make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time or get there early. There were only 2 people in line to see her. There is no one to check your ticket or to point to what theater to go to. It's pretty easy because only the left side of the theater is operational. The right side is going through renovations. I found my theater quickly. I was pleasantly surprised by the new reclining chairs. This definitely makes watching the movies much more comfortable! There's a cup holder on the left side. It was sticky. There's also a food tray that swings from the right to your left. That appeared to be sticky too so I swung it away from me. Now there's lots of space in front of you & behind you. No more people kicking your chair from behind or trying to get past someone in your aisle. The improvements are excellent! I am extremely pleased. I went on a Tuesday which is the least expensive all day. My ticket cost $9.47 after the service fee. The temperature in the theater was comfortable. There was a person that came in to clean the theater after the movie was over. I think because there's less theaters they have to clean up faster & they are probably short staffed which would explain for the sticky cup holder & tray. That's my only reason for giving it a 4 instead of a 5. Once all the renovations are completed, the theater will be amazing & less chaotic looking. I didn't buy any concessions but I didn't see a line. I did go for an 11am showing so it wasn't busy. Overall I am very happy with my experience after a 2 year absence of going to the movie theater. I will definitely be going back here! (I visited the theater on...