---
title: "Neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?"
description: "Compare the independent and boutique cinemas New Zealanders choose for a night at the movies. Share of Search among Monterey Cinema, Bridgeway Cinemas, Embassy 3 Cinemas, Starlight Cinema, The Vic Devonport and Luxe Cinemas, the neighbourhood cinemas Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-neighbourhood-cinemas"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?

Compare the independent and boutique cinemas New Zealanders choose for a night at the movies. Share of Search among Monterey Cinema, Bridgeway Cinemas, Embassy 3 Cinemas, Starlight Cinema, The Vic Devonport and Luxe Cinemas, the neighbourhood cinemas Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Neighbourhood cinemas
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 6
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Monterey Cinema, 33.3%

## Which brand is most popular in search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand?

- In August 2026, Monterey Cinema was the most searched among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, with an estimated 18.3K branded searches and 33.3% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- Bridgeway Cinemas is in 2nd place, 6.3 percentage points behind at 27% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Monterey Cinema’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand increased from 31.1% to 33.3%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand decreased from 35.3% to 27%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Embassy 3 Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand decreased from 15.9% to 14.9%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Starlight Cinema’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand increased from 0.17% to 12.1%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Vic Devonport’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand decreased from 8.8% to 6.6%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Luxe Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand decreased from 8.7% to 6.1%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Monterey Cinema’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 36.1% in January 2026 and was lowest at 30.6% in May 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 35.3% in October 2025 and was lowest at 24.1% in April 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Embassy 3 Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 19.6% in December 2025 and was lowest at 13.6% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Starlight Cinema’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 13.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 0.16% in November 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Vic Devonport’s estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 10% in March 2026 and was lowest at 6% in April 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Luxe Cinemas’ estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand peaked at 10.1% in March 2026 and was lowest at 5.7% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Monterey Cinema rose from 2nd to 1st among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas fell from 1st to 2nd among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Starlight Cinema rose from 6th to 4th among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Vic Devonport fell from 4th to 5th among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Luxe Cinemas fell from 5th to 6th among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Monterey Cinema vs Bridgeway Cinemas: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bridgeway-cinemas-vs-monterey-cinema): 33.3% against 27% Share of Search.
- [Monterey Cinema vs Embassy 3 Cinemas: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/embassy-3-cinemas-vs-monterey-cinema): 33.3% against 14.9% Share of Search.
- [Monterey Cinema vs Starlight Cinema: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/monterey-cinema-vs-starlight-cinema): 33.3% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [Monterey Cinema vs The Vic Devonport: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/monterey-cinema-vs-the-vic-devonport): 33.3% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Bridgeway Cinemas vs Embassy 3 Cinemas: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bridgeway-cinemas-vs-embassy-3-cinemas): 27% against 14.9% Share of Search.
- [Bridgeway Cinemas vs Starlight Cinema: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bridgeway-cinemas-vs-starlight-cinema): 27% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [Bridgeway Cinemas vs The Vic Devonport: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bridgeway-cinemas-vs-the-vic-devonport): 27% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Embassy 3 Cinemas vs Starlight Cinema: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/embassy-3-cinemas-vs-starlight-cinema): 14.9% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [Embassy 3 Cinemas vs The Vic Devonport: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/embassy-3-cinemas-vs-the-vic-devonport): 14.9% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Starlight Cinema vs The Vic Devonport: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/starlight-cinema-vs-the-vic-devonport): 12.1% against 6.6% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand neighbourhood cinemas in August 2026?

- In August 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas gained estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 24.5% to 27%.
- In August 2026, The Vic Devonport gained estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 6% to 6.6%.
- In August 2026, Embassy 3 Cinemas lost estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 16.5% to 14.9%.
- In August 2026, Starlight Cinema lost estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 13.4% to 12.1%.
- In August 2026, Monterey Cinema lost estimated Share of Search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 33.9% to 33.3%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Monterey Cinema | 33.3% | 18.3K | -11.1% | Monterey Cinema |
| 2 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 27% | 14.8K | 0.0% | Bridgeway Cinemas |
| 3 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 14.9% | 8.2K | -18.1% | Embassy 3 Cinemas |
| 4 | Starlight Cinema | 12.1% | 6.7K | -18.3% | Starlight Cinema |
| 5 | The Vic Devonport | 6.6% | 3.6K | -0.3% | The Vic Devonport |
| 6 | Luxe Cinemas | 6.1% | 3.3K | -3.2% | Luxe Cinemas |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 14.8K | 35.3% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Monterey Cinema | 13K | 31.1% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 6.7K | 15.9% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | The Vic Devonport | 3.7K | 8.8% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.7K | 8.7% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Starlight Cinema | 70 | 0.17% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Monterey Cinema | 12.9K | 35.4% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 12.1K | 33.2% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 5.5K | 14.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Luxe Cinemas | 3K | 8.3% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | The Vic Devonport | 3K | 8.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Starlight Cinema | 60 | 0.16% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Monterey Cinema | 17.9K | 34.9% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 14.8K | 29% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 10K | 19.6% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | The Vic Devonport | 4.5K | 8.8% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.8K | 7.5% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Starlight Cinema | 90 | 0.18% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 21.5K | 36.1% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 18.1K | 30.4% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 10K | 16.8% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 5.4K | 9% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 4.5K | 7.6% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 100 | 0.17% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 13K | 33.2% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 12.1K | 31% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 6.7K | 17.1% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 3.6K | 9.3% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.5K | 9% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 130 | 0.33% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 15.8K | 35.5% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 12.1K | 27.1% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 6.7K | 15% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 4.5K | 10.1% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 4.5K | 10% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 1K | 2.3% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 19.7K | 32.2% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 14.8K | 24.1% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 10K | 16.3% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 8.2K | 13.3% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 5K | 8.1% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 3.6K | 6% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 20.6K | 30.6% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 18.1K | 27% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 10K | 14.9% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 8.2K | 12.2% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 5.8K | 8.6% | 5 |
| May 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 4.4K | 6.6% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 19.5K | 32.5% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 18.1K | 30.2% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 8.2K | 13.6% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 6.6K | 11.1% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.9K | 6.6% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 3.6K | 6.1% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 20.5K | 33.9% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 14.8K | 24.5% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 10K | 16.5% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 8.1K | 13.4% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 3.6K | 6% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.4K | 5.7% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Monterey Cinema | 18.3K | 33.3% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | 14.8K | 27% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | 8.2K | 14.9% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Starlight Cinema | 6.7K | 12.1% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | The Vic Devonport | 3.6K | 6.6% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | 3.3K | 6.1% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Bridgeway Cinemas | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Embassy 3 Cinemas | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Luxe Cinemas | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Monterey Cinema | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Starlight Cinema | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | The Vic Devonport | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Bridgeway Cinemas**: Measured on the search terms “bridgeway cinemas”, “bridgeway cinemas session times” and “bridgeway co nz”, summed into one figure.
- **Embassy 3 Cinemas**: Measured on the search terms “embassy 3 cinemas”, “embassy 3 whanganui” and “embassy3 co nz”, summed into one figure.
- **Luxe Cinemas**: Measured on the search terms “luxe cinemas”, “luxe cinemas movies”, “luxe cinemas near me”, “luxe cinemas tauranga” and “luxecinemas”, summed into one figure.
- **Monterey Cinema**: Measured on the search terms “monterey cinema”, “monterey cinema movies”, “monterey cinema near me”, “monterey cinema nz”, “monterey cinema upper hutt”, “monterey howick” and “montereycinema”, summed into one figure.
- **Starlight Cinema**: Measured on the search terms “starlight cinema”, “starlight cinema movies”, “starlight cinema near me”, “starlight cinema session times” and “starlightcinema”, summed into one figure.
- **The Vic Devonport**: Measured on the search terms “the vic devonport”, “the vic devonport cinema”, “the vic devonport movies” and “thevic co nz”, summed into one figure.

- [Bridgeway Cinemas](/demand/nz/brands/bridgeway-cinemas)
- [Embassy 3 Cinemas](/demand/nz/brands/embassy-3-cinemas)
- [Luxe Cinemas](/demand/nz/brands/luxe-cinemas)
- [Monterey Cinema](/demand/nz/brands/monterey-cinema)
- [Starlight Cinema](/demand/nz/brands/starlight-cinema)
- [The Vic Devonport](/demand/nz/brands/the-vic-devonport)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand?

In August 2026, Monterey Cinema was the most searched among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, with an estimated 18.3K branded searches and 33.3% estimated Share of Search within this set.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-neighbourhood-cinemas

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-neighbourhood-cinemas. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.