<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000914713</issuerCik><issuerName>MILLS CORP</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>MLS</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001249663</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>VON  BOETTICHER  DIETRICH</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>3290 NORTHSIDE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 825</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>30327</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Vice Chairman of the Board</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2" /></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>231217</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F5" /></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>231217</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F2" /><footnoteId id="F6" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F7" /></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2312</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F5" /></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2312</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7650</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F7" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F8" /></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>228905</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F5" /></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>228905</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>228905</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>207822</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>207822</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F9" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>275683</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>275683</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F10" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>207605</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>207605</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F11" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>19005</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>19005</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F12" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>30992</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>30992</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F13" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>76150</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>76150</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F14" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>44893</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>44893</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F15" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>65940</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>65940</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F16" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1108053</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1108053</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F17" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1228759</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1228759</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F18" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1120500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1120500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F19" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>3735</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3735</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F20" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Units</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>506600</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>506600</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F6" /><footnoteId id="F21" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Units represent limited partnership interests in The Mills Limited Partnership, the Operating Partnership of the Issuer and of which the Issuer is the sole general partner and majority unit holder. The Units are exchangeable beginning one year after their issuance for Common Stock of the Issuer (on a 1-for-1 basis) or, at the Issuer's election, for the cash value of such Common Stock.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Disposition of all 231,217 Units owned by Kan Am America Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. The reporting person, who is the sole limited partner, received 228,905 of these Units pursuant to this distribution. Kan Am, Inc., the sole general partner of Kan Am America Limited Partnership and in which the reporting person holds a controlling interest, received the remaining 2,312 Units pursuant to this distribution. </footnote><footnote id="F3">The Units are currently exchangeable for Common Stock during four periods a year as specified in the partnership agreement of The Mills Limited Partnership.</footnote><footnote id="F4">There is no expiration date for the exchange for Units for Common Stock. </footnote><footnote id="F5">No additional consideration is payable in connection with the exchange of Units for Common Stock.</footnote><footnote id="F6">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported Units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. </footnote><footnote id="F7">Received 2,312 Units from Kan Am America Limited Partnership in a pro rata distribution to its partners in accordance with the partners' respective interests. These Units are held by Kan Am, Inc., in which the reporting person holds a controlling interest. See footnote (2).</footnote><footnote id="F8">Received 228,905 Units from Kan Am America Limited Partnership in a pro rata distribution to its partners in accordance with the partners' respective interests. See footnote (2). </footnote><footnote id="F9">These Units are held by Kan Am USA VIII Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F10">These Units are held by Kan Am USA IX Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F11">These Units are held by Kan Am USA X Limited Partnership,whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F12">These Units are held by Kan Am Realty, Inc., in which the reporting person holds a controlling interest.</footnote><footnote id="F13">These Units are held by Kan Am US, Inc., in which the reporting person holds a controlling interest. </footnote><footnote id="F14">These Units are held by Kan Am USA VII Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F15">These Units are held by Kan Am USA V Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F16">These Units are held by Kan AM USA VI Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F17">These Units are held by Kan Am USA XI Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F18">These Units are held by Kan Am USA XII Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F19">These Units are held by Kan Am USA XIII Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote><footnote id="F20">These Units are held by Kan Am America, Inc., in which the reporting person holds a controlling interest. </footnote><footnote id="F21">These Units are held by East Coast Developments Limited Partnership, whose general partner is controlled by the reporting person. </footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Dietrich von Boetticher</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

