Before we discuss the highest-grossing Nigerian movies it is important to note that the Nigerian entertainment industry, also known as Nollywood, is currently the second most prolific film industry in the world.
The Industry was valued at $3.6 billion in 2016 and $6.4 billion in 2021, contributed about 2.3% and $660 million to the country’s GDP in 2020 and is believed to be one of the country’s greatest export.
Nollywood is only able to achieve this by the revenue generated from the several movies that they have been producing over the Years. So without further chatter on the potential of Nollywood, here are the top 10 highest-grossing Nigerian Movies at the Box Office.
Omo Ghetto: The saga
The Wedding Party
The Wedding Party 2
Chief Daddy
Sugar Rush
Christmas in Miami
King of Boys
Merry Men
Merry Men 2
Your Excellency
1. Omo Ghetto: The Saga
Omo Ghetto: The saga is a comedy film, produced and directed by Funke Akindele, and a sequel to the actress’s 2010 trilogy film ‘Omo Ghetto’ which is based on twin sisters who get displaced at birth. The movie was released on the 25th of December 2020 and grossed over ₦189 million in the opening week of its release, becoming the first Nollywood film ever to gross over ₦99 million in its opening weekend surpassing the previous record set by The Wedding Party 2. Omo Ghetto dominated the Nigerian BOx office for 10 consecutive weeks and grossed a total of ₦636 million making it the second movie in English speaking West Africa to cross the ₦600 million mark after Black Panther.
2. The Wedding Party
The Wedding Party is a Nigerian comedy-drama film, produced by ELFIKE Film Collective and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It was It premiered on 8 September 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and on 26 November 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The film which was released worldwide on 16 December 2016, holds the record for the highest-grossing Nigerian film after its release after grossing over ₦453 million and was only displaced by Funke Akindele’s “Omo Ghetto” in 2020.
3. The Wedding Party 2
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai is a 2017 Nigerian romantic movie and a sequel to The Wedding Party, a comedy-drama that was released in the previous year. The movie was produced by ELFIKE Film Collective, and this time directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. The Movie which was shot in Lagos and in Dubai generated over ₦433 at the box office making it the third highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.
4. Chief Daddy
Chief Daddy is a 2018 Nigerian comedy-drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, written by Bode Asiyanbi and produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu. The movie was released in Nigeria on December 14, 2018, and in the Netherlands on March 15 2019 via Netflix. It starred popular Nollywood actors and actresses Funke Akindele Bello, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo and Racheal Oniga. Chief Daddy generated over ₦387 Million at the box office.
5. Sugar Rush
Sugar Rush is a 2019 Nigerian comedy film written by Jadesola Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The movie was released on the 25th of December of 2019 and featured movie stars such as Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye The movie grossed ₦40 million in the opening weekend since the Christmas release, it also grossed over ₦287 million at the Nigerian box office becoming the fifth highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.
6. Christmas in Miami
Christmas in Miami is the fourth instalment of the AKPOS film series produced by the popular Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun(AY) and directed by Robert Peters. It featured prominent Nigerian movie stars such as AY himself, RMD, Osita Iheme. , IK Ogbonna, Kent Morita, Raquel Lamanna et.c. The movie was premiered on 24 December 2021 and generated ₦100.7m in its opening week in Nigerian cinemas, according to the figures compiled by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). The movie has so far generated ₦264 million at the box office.
7. King of Boys
King of boys is a 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film and one of the highest-grossing Nigerian Movies of all time It was written, co-produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It featured movie stars such as Adesua Etomi, Sola Sobowale, Illbliss, Reminisce e.t.c. The movie was premiered on the 20th of October 2018 and grossed over ₦200 million after 7 weeks in cinemas and ₦244 overall
8. Merry Men
Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons is a 2018 Nigerian action comedy film written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph, produced by Darlington Abuda and directed by Toka Mcbaror. It features Nigerian movie stars, such as Ramsey Nouah, AY Makun, Jim Iyke, Damilola Adegbite, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Falz, Jide Kosoko, Rosaline Meurer and Nancy Isime. The movie was premiered on the 28th of September 2018 and grossed over ₦235 million at the box office.
9. Merry Men 2
Merry Men 2: Another Mission is a sequel to Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, a 2018 Nigerian crime action comedy film, produced by Darlington Abuda and directed by Moses Inwang. The movie just like the first part featured Nigerian movie stars such as Ramsey Nouah, Ayo Makun, Jim Iyke, Falz, Ireti Doyle, Damilola Adegbite, Ufuoma McDermott, Rosaline Meurer, Nancy Isime and Linda Osifo. It premiered on the 20th of December 2019 and grossed over ₦234 million at the box office
10. Your Excellency
Your Excellency is a 2019 Nigerian political satire drama-comedy film written and directed by Funke Akindele. Akin Lewis, Funke Akindele, Falz, Helen Paul, Alex Ekubo and many others were the major cast of the movie. The film had its theatrical release across 50 theatres on 13 December 2019 and grossed ₦17.5 million in its first two days and became the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood film for the year 2019 with ₦105.5 million. It grossed over ₦80 million the following year, making it the 10th Highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time.
