Academy Cinemas vs Lumière Cinemas:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Academy Cinemas and Lumière Cinemas were level in searches among cinemas in New Zealand, with an estimated 14.8K branded searches each, at 2.9% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cinemas, Lumière Cinemas appeared in two of the three answers and Academy Cinemas in none.
Who do people search for more?
Academy Cinemas and Lumière Cinemas are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Lumière Cinemas, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Academy Cinemas in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Lumière Cinemas, the only one of the two named
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Top cinemas in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Lumière Cinemas was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Academy 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.
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 Academy Cinemas or Lumière Cinemas more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Academy Cinemas and Lumière Cinemas 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 Academy Cinemas, Lumière Cinemas. 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 Academy Cinemas and Lumière Cinemas changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Academy Cinemas was ahead of Lumière Cinemas in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Academy Cinemas’ share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand moved from 2.6% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Lumière Cinemas’ share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand moved from 1.7% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cinemas in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Lumière Cinemas gained share of searches among cinemas in New Zealand, from 1.7% to 2.9%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Academy Cinemas in New Zealand rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 14.8K in October 2026.
How are Academy Cinemas’ and Lumière Cinemas’ branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Academy Cinemas’ and Lumière 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
Lumière Cinemas
2 branded search terms
- lumiere cinema
- lumiere cinemas
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