Bridgeway Cinemas vs Monterey Cinema:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Monterey Cinema had more branded searches than Bridgeway Cinemas among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand. Monterey Cinema had about 16,500 branded searches, while Bridgeway Cinemas had 12,100. Monterey Cinema made up 19.8% of all neighbourhood cinema searches we track, and Bridgeway Cinemas accounted for 14.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about neighbourhood cinemas, Bridgeway Cinemas appeared in two of the three answers and Monterey Cinema in none.
Who do people search for more?
Monterey Cinema, about 37% more searches than Bridgeway Cinemas
Who does AI mention more?
Bridgeway Cinemas, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Monterey Cinema in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Bridgeway Cinemas, the only one of the two named
Follow Bridgeway Cinemas vs Monterey Cinema and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top neighbourhood cinemas in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Bridgeway Cinemas was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Monterey Cinema did not appear in any of the 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.
Roxy Cinema3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Academy Cinemas2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Lumière Cinemas2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Bridgeway Cinemas2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
The Vic Devonport1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Monterey Cinema0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Embassy 3 Cinemas0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Starlight Cinema0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Luxe Cinemas0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about neighbourhood cinemas
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which neighbourhood cinema should I go to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best neighbourhood cinema in New Zealand for a night out?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cinemas nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“boutique cinema”
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 21, 2026.
Is Bridgeway Cinemas or Monterey Cinema more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bridgeway Cinemas and Monterey Cinema by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine neighbourhood cinemas we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Monterey Cinema, Bridgeway Cinemas. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Monterey Cinema | Academy Cinemas | Lumière Cinemas | Bridgeway Cinemas | Roxy Cinema | Embassy 3 Cinemas | Starlight Cinema | Luxe Cinemas | The Vic Devonport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 23.6% | 18.7% | 12.5% | 18.7% | 8.8% | 8.4% | 0.09% | 4.7% | 4.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 24.9% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 17.2% | 8.5% | 11.6% | 0.1% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.7% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 18.1% | 7.8% | 10% | 0.09% | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 20% | 17.8% | 14.6% | 17.8% | 9.3% | 9.8% | 0.16% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.7% | 19.4% | 13% | 15.9% | 8.3% | 8.7% | 1.3% | 5.9% | 5.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.2% | 17.5% | 11.7% | 14.3% | 8.2% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 4.8% | 3.5% |
| May 2026 | 21.1% | 16.7% | 11.1% | 16.7% | 8.3% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 5.3% | 4.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 21% | 21.7% | 9.7% | 17.7% | 8.1% | 8% | 6.5% | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.8% | 18% | 9.9% | 14.7% | 9.5% | 10% | 8.1% | 3.4% | 3.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.9% | 20.2% | 11.1% | 16.5% | 7% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 3.7% | 4% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.4% | 18.5% | 12.4% | 15.1% | 7.9% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 3.9% | 3.6% |
| Oct 2026 | 19.8% | 17.7% | 17.7% | 14.5% | 8.2% | 8% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
How has branded search for Bridgeway Cinemas and Monterey Cinema changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Monterey Cinema was ahead of Bridgeway Cinemas in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas’ share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand moved from 18.7% to 14.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Monterey Cinema’s share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand moved from 23.6% to 19.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.3K to 16.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand neighbourhood cinemas in October 2026?
3 changes

In October 2026, Lumière Cinemas overtook Bridgeway Cinemas to rank 3rd among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, with 17.7% of the searches.

In October 2026, Monterey Cinema lost share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 23.4% to 19.8%.

In October 2026, Bridgeway Cinemas lost share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 15.1% to 14.5%.
How are Bridgeway Cinemas’ and Monterey Cinema’s branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bridgeway Cinemas’ and Monterey Cinema’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.
Bridgeway Cinemas
1 branded search term
- bridgeway cinemas
Monterey Cinema
4 branded search terms
- monterey cinema
- monterey cinema movies
- monterey howick
- montereycinema
Other head-to-heads among neighbourhood cinemas

Monterey Cinema vs Academy Cinemas: compare popularity
Monterey Cinema vs Lumière Cinemas: compare popularity
Monterey Cinema vs Roxy Cinema: compare popularity
Academy Cinemas vs Lumière Cinemas: compare popularity
Academy Cinemas vs Bridgeway Cinemas: compare popularity
Academy Cinemas vs Roxy Cinema: compare popularity

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.