Regal Lake Zurich 12
755 S. Rand Road.,
Lake Zurich,
IL
60047
755 S. Rand Road.,
Lake Zurich,
IL
60047
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In late 1991, Lake Zurich-based Tom and Jeff Rhyan’s Rhyan Management Corporation (RMC) got permission to build a 2,200 seat 8-plex. The Lake Zurich Theatres opened for RMC here on January 1, 1993 with 8 screens expanding to 10 open screens. A potential expansion fell through due to traffic concerns with Rhyan extending to 12 screens and holding tight. Regal took over the Crystal Lake Showcase and here on May 21, 1999 committed to adding up to 12 more screens to double screen count in Lake Z. With the traffic issues unresolved, Regal left it at a dozen-plex.
The venue closed March 16, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened briefly in August of 2020 only to close again on October 8, 2020. It then reopened on May 21, 2021. Regal closed here August 14, 2025. A plan earlier in the year proposed demolishing the theater for an apartment complex.
This opened on January 7th, 1993. Grand opening ad posted.
Here are pictures of this theater
It wasn’t originally a Regal, not until 1999. It had been operated by Rhyan Management. In 1998 there were plans to make it 24-screen to head off the Deer Park theaters, but these never materialized. It originally had 10 screens, adding two, plus party rooms and drive-through ticketing in July 1998. During the planning process Rhyan assured residents that rumors that he would build a 10-, not 8-screen as announced, were untrue.
I was the manager when it opened and worked there for 1 ½ years. It was the best theatre in it’s day. It had the most update Dolby Digital DTS sound and great acoustics.
I can’t imagine how it was voted best. I suppose he pickings were pretty slim in 1993 though. Tickets are cheap, but the slope of the floors is almost non-existant, it has no architectual flair whatsoever, even compared to other Regals, and the cleaning lights were on through all the previews. Pretty lame. What’s with Regal cranking the volume up to uncomfortable levels in all their theaters?