What makes a film a box office hit?

Nigerian filmmakers have been trying to solve this puzzle since the colonial 1920s, with projects that straddle the line between widespread popularity and critical acclaim. 

Using the industry’s unique template – a blend of storytelling, comedy, and vibes – they are sometimes able to create projects that remain on people’s lips for many years. But not all these ventures draw crowds to the cinemas. Popularity is one thing, and money is another. 

Yet, some films have managed to crack the code by striking the balance and becoming box office sensations. 

The 8 Best Nollywood Movies of 2023

2018 Nollywood Films Available to Stream—The Year that Gave Us ‘King of Boys’

Here are the Top 10 Highest-grossing Nollywood Films of All Time:

10. Sugar Rush: ₦287,060,270

Next up, we meet the Sugar sisters – Sola (Busola Aiyeola), Bola (Bimbo Ademoye), and Susie (Adesua Etomi-Wellington) – who discover a whole new meaning to the term “wahala”, when they stumble upon $800,000 in the home of a corrupt man. 

Sugar Rush (2019), produced by Jade Osiberu’s Greoh Studios, is an action-packed comedy directed by Kayode Kasum, that still attempts to explore the bonds of family from its unique angle. It earned ₦40 million on its opening weekend and proceeded to become one of the highest-grossing Nollywood movies of all time.

9. Malaika: ₦302,725,325

With her 2023 December blockbuster season entry, Malaika, Toyin Abraham pushed another title of hers, Ijakumo, outside the box office top ten. At just 9 weeks in cinemas, the motherhood-themed drama hit a new record for the actress. Starring Emeka Ike, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Anne Kansiime, Muyiwa Ademola and Ibrahim Chatta, the Steve Sodiya-directed film tells the story of a frustrated and bitter woman, who is struggling to have a child of her own, and tries to find spiritual guidance.

8. King of Thieves: ₦320,805,150

At Number 8, we have King of Thieves (2022), a Yoruba epic piece that lends itself to a much wider audience under the direction of Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo.

It is the story of Ageshinkole (Femi Adebayo), an invincible bandit who terrorizes the once-peaceful town of Ajeromi, and conspires to bring the kingdom to its knees. The film premiered at the IMAX Cinemas in April 2022 and grossed over ₦300 million at the Nigerian Box Office.

7. Brotherhood: ₦328,917,120

Set in the city of Lagos, Brotherhood (2022) tells the contrasting tale of twin brothers, Akin (Tobi Bakre) and Wale (Folarin “Falz” Falana). One is a notorious armed robber, and the other is a member of the police task force assigned to catch him. 

The movie – produced by Greoh Studios – pushes the envelope of Nollywood’s action genre with its impressive stunts and “film tricks.” Brotherhood premiered at The Jewel Aeida in September 2022. Now it sits proudly as Number 7 on this list. 

6. Chief Daddy: ₦387,540,749 

The Niyi Akinmolayan-directed dramedy, Chief Daddy (2018) follows the life – rather, death– of Chief Beecroft (Taiwo Obileye), a wealthy industrialist whose unexpected demise launches his colorful family into a struggle for inheritance.

With some “gbas gbos” here and a sprinkling of romance there, Chief Daddy (2018) quickly established itself as one of the most popular Nollywood films of all time, earning over N115 million at the cinemas in just ten days.

5. The Wedding Party II: ₦433,197,377

The Wedding Party II (2017) is a romantic comedy about the nuptials of Nonso Onwuka (Enyinna Nwigwe) and Deadre Winston (Daniella Down), who sparked a romance at…well, the previous wedding party. 

In this second installment of The Wedding Party series, Niyi Akinmolayan takes us on a literal trip to Dubai, as he builds up a storyline that follows the intricacies of what happens when two very different families embark on the process of becoming in-laws. 

The film garnered over ₦430 million at the end of its theatrical run, making it Number 5 on this list.

4. The Wedding Party: ₦452,288,605   

Coming in at Number 4 is The Wedding Party (2016), a romantic comedy revolving around a seemingly normal “owambe” – the wedding ceremony of Dozie Onwuka (Bankole “Banky W” Wellington) and Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi-Wellington). 

From the director’s seat, Kemi Adetiba invites us to a lavish event hosted by Nigeria’s top one percent, while unveiling the complexities that go on behind the scenes.

Laying a solid foundation for its 2017 sequel (and other possible sequels), the iconic film earned over ₦450 million at the cinemas, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time, at the time of its release.

3. Omo Ghetto (The Saga): ₦636,129,120

Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz take us back to the trenches in this most recent part of the Omo Ghetto franchise. Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020) follows the story of Lefty (Funke Akindele), a street thug who keeps getting into trouble with her gang “The Askamaya Bees,” despite her adoption into a wealthy family alongside her peaceful twin.

At the end of its box office run, the star-studded comedy overtook the four-year record set by The Wedding Party (2016), becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever. Now, it is Number 3 on this list.  

2. Battle on Buka Street: ₦668,423,056

In Battle on Buka Street (2022), directors Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde tell the story of the lifelong rivalry between step-sisters Yejide (Funke Akindele) and Awele (Mercy Johnson Okojie). The two women, who inherited this fierce competition from their mothers and passed it on to their kids, are caught in the struggle for supremacy on the fictional Buka Street, where their food businesses are “conveniently” located right opposite each other. 

After a 17-week theatrical run, Funke Akindele broke her own records, as the film earned over ₦660 million to become the most successful Nollywood box office hit, at the time.

1. A Tribe Called Judah: ₦1,404,207,541 

A Tribe Called Judah (2023) follows 5 brothers who will go to any length to save their mother, even if it means robbing a mall. Funke Akindele, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde, Timini Egbuson, and Olumide Oworu take the lead roles in this megahit directed by Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu. 

The film packs a heavy punch in its delivery of a highly relatable –yet hilarious– action-packed family drama that has already raked in ₦731 million just two weeks since its theatrical release; proving, once again, that Akindele has truly mastered the formula for making box office hits. Right now, it is the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. 

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