Brandwave

Academy Cinemas vs Embassy 3 Cinemas:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Academy Cinemas had more branded searches than Embassy 3 Cinemas among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand. Academy Cinemas had about 14,800 branded searches, while Embassy 3 Cinemas had 6,690. Academy Cinemas made up 17.7% of all neighbourhood cinema searches we track, and Embassy 3 Cinemas accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about neighbourhood cinemas, Academy Cinemas appeared in two of the three answers and Embassy 3 Cinemas in none.

Among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Academy Cinemas, about 2 searches for every 1 for Embassy 3 Cinemas

Academy Cinemas 14.8K searchesEmbassy 3 Cinemas 6.7K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Academy Cinemas, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Embassy 3 Cinemas in 0

Academy Cinemas in 2 of 3Embassy 3 Cinemas in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Academy Cinemas, the only one of the two named

Academy Cinemas first in 2Embassy 3 Cinemas never named

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Top neighbourhood cinemas in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Academy Cinemas was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Embassy 3 Cinemas 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.

  1. Roxy Cinema1st
  2. Academy Cinemas2nd
  3. Bridgeway Cinemas3rd
  4. The Vic Devonport4th
  5. Lumière Cinemas5th
  6. Monterey Cinema–
  7. Embassy 3 Cinemas–
  8. Starlight Cinema–
  9. Luxe Cinemas–

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about neighbourhood 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 21, 2026.

Is Academy Cinemas or Embassy 3 Cinemas more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Academy Cinemas and Embassy 3 Cinemas 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.

Academy Cinemas and Embassy 3 Cinemas among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Academy Cinemas, Embassy 3 Cinemas. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMonterey CinemaAcademy CinemasLumière CinemasBridgeway CinemasRoxy CinemaEmbassy 3 CinemasStarlight CinemaLuxe CinemasThe Vic Devonport
Nov 202523.6%18.7%12.5%18.7%8.8%8.4%0.09%4.7%4.5%
Dec 202524.9%14.1%14.1%17.2%8.5%11.6%0.1%4.4%5.2%
Jan 202624.7%14.8%14.8%18.1%7.8%10%0.09%5.4%4.5%
Feb 202620%17.8%14.6%17.8%9.3%9.8%0.16%5.2%5.4%
Mar 202621.7%19.4%13%15.9%8.3%8.7%1.3%5.9%5.8%
Apr 202622.2%17.5%11.7%14.3%8.2%9.7%7.9%4.8%3.5%
May 202621.1%16.7%11.1%16.7%8.3%9.2%7.5%5.3%4.1%
Jun 202621%21.7%9.7%17.7%8.1%8%6.5%3.8%3.5%
Jul 202622.8%18%9.9%14.7%9.5%10%8.1%3.4%3.6%
Aug 202620.9%20.2%11.1%16.5%7%9.1%7.4%3.7%4%
Sep 202623.4%18.5%12.4%15.1%7.9%8.4%6.8%3.9%3.6%
Oct 202619.8%17.7%17.7%14.5%8.2%8%5.3%4.4%4.4%

How has branded search for Academy Cinemas and Embassy 3 Cinemas changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Academy Cinemas lost share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand, from 18.5% to 17.7%.

  2. Embassy 3 Cinemas’ share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 10% to 8% in October 2026.

How are Academy Cinemas’ and Embassy 3 Cinemas’ branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Academy Cinemas’ and Embassy 3 Cinemas’ 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.

Academy Cinemas

2 branded search terms

  • academy cinemas
  • academycinemas

Embassy 3 Cinemas

2 branded search terms

  • embassy 3 cinemas
  • embassy 3 whanganui

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among neighbourhood cinemas

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