does bulletproof hosting actually work for avoiding takedowns?

Every provider claims to be 'bulletproof' but I've seen sites on supposedly bulletproof hosting get taken down within weeks.

Is there actually any hosting that can withstand serious takedown attempts, or is it all marketing?

Bulletproof is a marketing term, not a technical guarantee.

The question is not whether the hosting can avoid takedowns. The question is whether the jurisdiction they operate in cooperates with the entity issuing the takedown.

If you're hosting in Moldavia and the takedown comes from the US, the provider can ignore it. If the takedown comes from Moldavian authorities, they have to comply.

I use provider in Russia for content that need stay up. US takedown no work there. But if Russian authority request, they comply.

Depends what you're running, but the reality is: no hosting is truly bulletproof against its own jurisdiction.

The providers that last are the ones in jurisdictions that don't cooperate with the countries where the complaints come from. That's why you see Russian, Chinese, and certain offshore providers being recommended for certain use cases.

bulletproof is marketing