The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, has consistently produced great films that depict authentic original African stories from various angles. Currently, Nigerian films are making tremendous achievements across a variety of venues in the global entertainment industry.
Statistics from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria provides insights into the most recent coverage of Nollywood film successes across many viewing platforms. With Nollywood in the spotlight, here are the ten highest-grossing Nigerian films you should be aware of.
Battle on Buka Street (N640.7m/$1.3 million)
Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 comedy-drama directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde and produced by Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and FilmOne Productions. The plot revolves around a battle between two ladies competing for the main prize of a cuisine challenge. With a current earning of N640,725,717, it is currently the highest-grossing Nigerian film and is still playing in numerous cinemas around Africa.
Omo Ghetto: The Saga (N636.1m/$1.3 million)
Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which to be released in December 2020, is a sequel to Omo Ghetto. It is a comedy ghetto life of Shalewa attempting to adjust to a new life of wealth and comfort that is diametrically opposed to the usual longtime ghetto life she has known her entire life. The film, directed by JJC Skillz and Funke Akindele and produced by SceneOne Productions, is a box office hit, breaking another Nigerian film’s 2016 record of N636,129,120.
The Wedding Party (N452.2m/$981,000)
The Wedding Party is a romantic comedy film that was released in December 2016 and held the record for the highest-grossing Nigerian film until it was surpassed by its sequel, The Wedding Party 2, in 2017. It earned approximately N452,288,605.
The Wedding Party 2 (N433.1m/$939,000)
The Wedding Party 2 is the sequel to the first film in the series, The Wedding Party. The Wedding Party 2 was released in 2017 and was shot in Lagos and Dubai. It is presently the third highest-grossing Nigerian film, with a total gross of N433,197.377.
Chief Daddy (N387.5m/$840,000)
The comedy-drama was released in December 2018 and centered on Chief Beecroft, a wealthy industrialist and benefactor of a vast extended family whose death triggered a fight among family members over his money. The film grossed approximately N387,540,749.
Brotherhood (N328.8m/$712,000)
Brotherhood is the story of twin brothers Wale and Akin, who had quite different lives after their parents died. Wale became a police officer, while Akin joined a feared criminal organization. The film was released in September 2022 and earned approximately N328,881,120.
King of Thieves (N320.8m/$694,000)
King of Thieves is a Yoruba language film that became Nigeria’s highest-grossing non-English film. The epic thriller is set in the legendary and rich kingdom of Ajeromi, which was quiet and pleasant until Agesinkole, an infamous bandit, invaded and wreaked havoc. The film was released in April 2022 and grossed around N320,805,150.
Sugar Rush (N287m/$623,000)
Sugar Rush is a crime, action, and comedy film directed by Kayode Kasum that was released in December 2019. The story revolves around two sisters, Bola Suga and Sola Suga, who robbed a wealthy man. Sadly for them, the robbery spurred more robberies, leading to more severe issues and encounters with a number of horrible mafia gangs and law enforcement authorities. The film grossed around N287,053,270.
Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (N273.3m$592,000)
Ijakumo is a suspense thriller that outperformed expectations at the box office. It revolves around Asabi, the daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is out for vengeance on a well-known Lagos-based preacher who betrayed and discarded her. The film was released in December 2022 and is currently playing in theaters around the world. So far, it has earned N273,373,734.
Christmas In Miami (N265.5m/$575,000)
This is a comedy adventure directed by Robert Peters and produced by Ayo Makun that will be published in December 2021. During two weeks of its premiere, the film garnered over two hundred million naira and has grossed over N265,583,000.
