Brandwave

Hoyts vs Silky Otter:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Hoyts had more branded searches than Silky Otter among cinemas in New Zealand. Hoyts had about 201,000 branded searches, while Silky Otter had 81,800. Hoyts made up 39.9% 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 Hoyts in one. Silky Otter was mentioned before Hoyts in every answer.

Among cinemas in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Hoyts, about 2 searches for every 1 for Silky Otter

Hoyts 201K searchesSilky Otter 81.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Silky Otter, mentioned in every answer we collected

Silky Otter in 3 of 3Hoyts in 1 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Silky Otter, named ahead of Hoyts in every answer

Silky Otter first in 3Hoyts never first

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Top cinemas in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Silky Otter appeared in all three answers. Hoyts was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Silky Otter was listed before Hoyts in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Event Cinemas1st
  2. Lumière Cinemas2nd
  3. Silky Otter3rd
  4. The Embassy Theatre4th
  5. Hoyts5th
  6. Reading Cinemas–
  7. Lido Cinema–
  8. Academy Cinemas–
  9. Lighthouse Cinema–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about cinemas

3 answers

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 Hoyts or Silky Otter more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hoyts 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.

Hoyts and Silky Otter among cinemas in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Hoyts, Silky Otter. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthHoytsEvent CinemasSilky OtterReading CinemasLido CinemaAcademy CinemasLumière CinemasLighthouse CinemaThe Embassy Theatre
Nov 202539.6%21.8%17.4%12.5%2.6%2.6%1.7%1.8%0.04%
Dec 202542%22.8%15.5%12.7%2.1%1.7%1.7%1.4%0.03%
Jan 202639.6%19.6%18.8%12.8%3.3%2.2%2.2%1.5%0.03%
Feb 202637.3%19.7%19.8%13%3.4%2.7%2.2%1.9%0.03%
Mar 202640.8%21%17.3%11.4%3%2.9%1.9%1.6%0.05%
Apr 202638.6%23.4%16.1%13%2.8%2.7%1.8%1.5%0.05%
May 202637.1%22%17.5%14.6%3.2%2.5%1.7%1.4%0.05%
Jun 202637.9%23.1%17.3%12.9%2.8%3.3%1.5%1.2%0.04%
Jul 202640.1%23.7%15.9%13.4%2.3%2.3%1.2%1.1%0.06%
Aug 202639.9%23.1%15.6%13%2.7%2.7%1.5%1.5%0.05%
Sep 202636.7%22.4%17.1%15.5%2.7%2.6%1.7%1.2%0.07%
Oct 202639.9%21.3%16.2%12%3%2.9%2.9%1.7%0.04%

How has branded search for Hoyts and Silky Otter changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Hoyts was ahead of Silky Otter in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hoyts’ share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand moved from 39.6% to 39.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 187K to 201K.
  • 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

  1. In October 2026, Hoyts gained share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand, from 36.7% to 39.9%.

  2. In October 2026, Silky Otter lost share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand, from 17.1% to 16.2%.

How are Hoyts’ and Silky Otter’s branded searches counted?

28 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hoyts’ 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.

Hoyts

16 branded search terms

  • entx hoyts
  • hoyts
  • hoyts berkeley cinemas
  • hoyts botany
  • hoyts botany downs
  • hoyts cinema
  • hoyts entx
  • hoyts films
  • hoyts hibiscus
  • hoyts lux
  • hoyts metro
  • hoyts ric
  • hoyts session times
  • hoyts sylvia park
  • hoyts te awa
  • hoyts tickets

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

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cinemas

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