Event Cinemas vs Silky Otter:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Event Cinemas had more branded searches than Silky Otter among cinemas in New Zealand. Event Cinemas had about 107,000 branded searches, while Silky Otter had 81,800. Event Cinemas made up 21.3% of all cinema searches we track, and Silky Otter accounted for 16.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cinemas, Silky Otter appeared in all three answers and Event Cinemas in two. Event Cinemas was mentioned before Silky Otter in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Event Cinemas, about 31% more searches than Silky Otter
Who does AI mention more?
Silky Otter, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Event Cinemas, named ahead of Silky Otter in 2 of 3 answers
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Top cinemas in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Silky Otter appeared in all three answers. Event Cinemas was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Event Cinemas was listed before Silky Otter in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Silky Otter3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Event Cinemas2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Lumière Cinemas2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Hoyts1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
The Embassy Theatre1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Reading Cinemas0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Lido Cinema0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Academy Cinemas0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Lighthouse Cinema0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about cinemas
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cinema should I go to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cinemas in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cinema in New Zealand for a movie night?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“christchurch cinemas”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“movie theatre christchurch”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Event Cinemas or Silky Otter more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Event Cinemas and Silky Otter by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cinemas we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Event Cinemas, Silky Otter. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hoyts | Event Cinemas | Silky Otter | Reading Cinemas | Lido Cinema | Academy Cinemas | Lumière Cinemas | Lighthouse Cinema | The Embassy Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 39.6% | 21.8% | 17.4% | 12.5% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 42% | 22.8% | 15.5% | 12.7% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.6% | 19.6% | 18.8% | 12.8% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 0.03% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.3% | 19.7% | 19.8% | 13% | 3.4% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.8% | 21% | 17.3% | 11.4% | 3% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.05% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.6% | 23.4% | 16.1% | 13% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 37.1% | 22% | 17.5% | 14.6% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.9% | 23.1% | 17.3% | 12.9% | 2.8% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 40.1% | 23.7% | 15.9% | 13.4% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.06% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.9% | 23.1% | 15.6% | 13% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.7% | 22.4% | 17.1% | 15.5% | 2.7% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.07% |
| Oct 2026 | 39.9% | 21.3% | 16.2% | 12% | 3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.7% | 0.04% |
How has branded search for Event Cinemas and Silky Otter changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Silky Otter took it in February 2026, Event Cinemas took it in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Event Cinemas’ share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand moved from 21.8% to 21.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 103K to 107K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Silky Otter’s share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand moved from 17.4% to 16.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 82K to 81.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cinemas in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, Event Cinemas lost share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand, from 22.4% to 21.3%.

In October 2026, Silky Otter lost share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand, from 17.1% to 16.2%.
How are Event Cinemas’ and Silky Otter’s branded searches counted?
28 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Event Cinemas’ and Silky Otter’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Event Cinemas
16 branded search terms
- aa event cinemas
- avatar event cinemas
- broadway event cinemas
- city event cinemas
- coastlands event cinemas
- event cinemas
- event cinemas bayfair
- event cinemas botany
- event cinemas coastlands
- event cinemas food
- event cinemas movies
- event cinemas tickets
- event cinemas westgate
- eventcinemas
- eventcinemas movies
- movies event cinemas
Silky Otter
12 branded search terms
- movies silky otter
- silky otter cinema
- silky otter food
- silky otter menu
- silky otter movie
- silky otter nelson
- silky otter ponsonby
- silky otter richmond
- silky otter tickets
- silky otter voucher
- silkyotter
- the silky otter
Other head-to-heads among cinemas

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