Academy Cinemas vs Roxy Cinema:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Academy Cinemas had more branded searches than Roxy Cinema among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand. Academy Cinemas had about 14,800 branded searches, while Roxy Cinema had 6,800. Academy Cinemas made up 17.7% of all neighbourhood cinema searches we track, and Roxy Cinema accounted for 8.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about neighbourhood cinemas, Roxy Cinema appeared in all three answers and Academy Cinemas in two. Academy Cinemas and Roxy Cinema were each mentioned first in one of the two answers.
Who do people search for more?
Academy Cinemas, about 2 searches for every 1 for Roxy Cinema
Who does AI mention more?
Roxy Cinema, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
Follow Academy Cinemas vs Roxy 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, Roxy Cinema appeared in all three answers. Academy Cinemas was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Academy Cinemas and Roxy Cinema were each listed first in one of the two 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 Academy Cinemas or Roxy Cinema more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Academy Cinemas and Roxy 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 Academy Cinemas, Roxy Cinema. 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 Academy Cinemas and Roxy Cinema changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Academy Cinemas was ahead of Roxy Cinema in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Academy Cinemas’ share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand moved from 18.7% to 17.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Roxy Cinema’s share of searches among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand moved from 8.8% to 8.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.7K to 6.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand neighbourhood cinemas in October 2026?
2 changes

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

In October 2026, Roxy Cinema rose from 6th to 5th among neighbourhood cinemas in New Zealand.
How are Academy Cinemas’ and Roxy Cinema’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Academy Cinemas’ and Roxy 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.
Academy Cinemas
2 branded search terms
- academy cinemas
- academycinemas
Roxy Cinema
2 branded search terms
- roxy cinema
- roxy cinema miramar
Other head-to-heads among neighbourhood cinemas

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