The latest edition of FilmOne Entertainment’s The Nigerian Box Office Year Book describes 2025 as a year of continued growth in cinema revenue (₦15.64 billion, up from ₦11.58 billionin 2024), annual admissions (approximately 2.8 million, from 2024’s 2.7 million), and ticket prices (5,596 naira, from 4,341 naira).
In this piece, we examine the Top 20 Nollywood releases of 2025 (with December 31 as a cut-off date)—as reported by the 7-year-running publication spearheaded by Editor-in-Chief Ladun Awobokun—which collectively defined the Nigerian box office year, and highlight the increasingly selective nature of a local audience driven by familiar faces and event-driven titles.
(Click to Follow the What Kept Me Up channel on WhatsApp)
- Behind The Scenes (₦1,320,795,889.67)
Funke Akindele’s Behind the Scenes became the highest-grossing film of 2025 (as well as the highest earning Nigerian film of all time) with its peek behind the curtain of the typical African “rich aunty” persona. Co-directed by Tunde Olaoye, the December release follows breadwinner Ronke (Scarlet Gomez), who gives to her family until the cracks begin to show. The movie is powered by Box Office Queen Akindele’s audience appeal, a relatable story, and an ensemble cast including Tobi Bakre, Iyabo Ọjọ, Uche Montana, Ibrahim Chatta, Wanni x Handi, and many more.
- Gingerrr (₦522,909,952.49)
Lines blur as four childhood friends—Lala (Bukunmi “Kiekie” Adeaga-Ilori), Sylvia (Bisola Aiyeola), Bugari (Bolaji Ogunmola), and Alabukun (Wumi Toriola)—embark on their chaotic, action-packed mission to steal a charmed box of gold, even though it is technically Lala’s inheritance. Gingerrr is the collaborative effort of producers Aiyeola, Adeaga-Ilori, Toriola, and Cinemax founder, Ope Ajayi, directed by Yemi Morafa. The film, released just a few days before the October 1 Independence Day holiday, is currently the highest-grossing Nollywood September release of all time.
- Oversabi Aunty (₦480,133,936.40)
In her directorial debut and latest December release, Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi portrays Toun, an overzealous church usher who meddles in everyone else’s business, unaware that her seemingly perfect home is falling apart. Starring Mike Ezuruonye as Chidi (Toun’s Igbo husband), with Eni Adeoluwa, Efe Irẹlẹ, Aliyat Olamide, and Bianca Ugo as her bicultural kids, Oversabi Aunty quickly climbed the 2025 charts, going on to make Abraham-Ajeyemi the second indigenous filmmaker to cross the ₦1 billion mark at the Nigerian box office.
- Ori: The Rebirth (₦419,570,525.00)
When his fetish mother-in-law (Sola Sobowale) strikes, Bisade’s (Muyiwa Ademola) wealth can’t save him. As he loses his memory and finds himself caught between past and present loves, his Ori or Inner Head is the only thing that can protect him, in this remake of veteran actor Ademola’s 2004 classic, directed with Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. The film premiered on Workers’ Day and had a remarkable box office performance.
- Reel Love (₦356,824,175.22)
Timini Egbuson’s first theatrical production transforms him into Tomide, an online “relationship expert,” who stumbles into a fake relationship with Rachael Monday (TJ Omusuku) following a public altercation. Soon, they begin to fall for each other, and what begins as damage control soon develops into something more. Helmed by one of Nollywood’s most bankable love interests, the rom-com directed by Kayode Kasum, premiered on Valentine’s Day and went on to have a successful cinema run.
- Iyalode (₦306,360,025.00)
Iyalode is an epic drama about Ashabi Adikaka (Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi), a powerful warrior from a strong matrilineal line of women leaders known as Iyalodes. Ashabi wants the position at all costs and must overcome all obstacles, including betrayal. Co-produced by Abraham-Ajeyemi and Kola Ajeyemi, directed by veteran filmmaker Adebayo Tijani, and featuring Muyiwa Ademola, Peju Ogunmola, Gabriel Afolayan, and Kehinde Bankole, Iyalode had a strong opening during the Id El Kabir and Democracy Day holiday period.
- Labake Olododo (₦264,281,947.93)
Biodun Stephen’s first epic, Labake Olododo, follows its titular character (Iyabo Ojo), a warlord forging a violent path to revenge on the neighbouring town, Olugbon. For Labake, the famed “Akogun of Lukosi,” love is less than an afterthought; that is, until it comes into the mix. The film—which hit the cinemas right before the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations—was produced by Ojo and also stars Scarlet Gomez, Tayo Faniran, Femi Adebayo, Rotimi Fakunle, Alaba Onaolapo (A.K.A Alaba Ultimate).
- Owambe Thieves (₦205,632,953.20)
In Owambe Thieves, director Adeoluwa Owu (The Griot, A Tribe Called Judah) presents Cheta (Zubby Michael) and Lola (Eniola Ajao), an interethnic couple whose financial desperation drive them into pulling off a series of heists at extravagant parties, popularly known as Owambe. As their greed pushes them to take on riskier jobs, chaos begins to unfold. The film produced by Ajao and Barbara Babarinsa was released just ahead of Easter.
- The Herd (₦193,569,764.34)
Daniel Etim-Effiong’s feature directorial debut grips the audience’s attention (and keeps it) with the violent kidnapping of a wedding party. Gosi (Etim-Effiong) and his newly married friends, Derin (Genoveva Umeh) and Fola (Kunle Remi) are brutally waylaid by gunmen on their way back to their hotel, and their lives are unraveled. The Herd, released a few weeks after the Independence Day anniversary, reflects the country’s ongoing security issues with performances from Linda Ejiofor, Adam Garba, Amal Umar, and Tina Mba among others.
- Abanisete: The Ancestor (₦164,981,275.00)
Chaos ensues when foreigners seek to possess a village’s sacred masquerade, Abanisete, by hook or crook. As the chosen one, Ologbojo (Ibrahim “Itele D Icon” Yekini) must reclaim the deity and help restore order with allies he makes along the way. At its core, Yekini’s epic fantasy— directed with Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani—explores the importance of culture and heritage against the onslaught of greed.
- Warlord (₦143,146,575.00)
Odunlade Adekola’s Warlord: Olori Ogun, co-directed with Tope Adebayo and Abiodun Olanrewaju, revolves around Oba Adeyiga (Muyiwa Ademola), a tyrannous king who obtains power through an evil pact, and his powerful enforcer, Olori Ogun (Adekola) in the face of an uprising. The epic drama also stars popular actors like Toyin Abraham-Ajewole, Femi Adebayo, Ireti Osayemi, Eniola Ajao, and Ibrahim Chatta.
- Her Excellency (₦125,141,675.00)
Omoyeni (Sola Sobowale) is the powerful wife of Governor Kola (Yemi Solade) and the first lady of the fictional state of Salim. Following a fatal attack on his Chief Security Officer (Odunlade Adekola), the governor fires everyone in his cabinet, except his female minister of agriculture, igniting a wave of jealousy and political intrigue that threatens to derail his administration. Her Excellency is directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani.
- Red Circle (₦118,196,986.84)
Nora Awolowo’s first feature production follows journalist Fikayo Holloway (Folu Storms) as she risks her life to uncover a powerful Lagos crime syndicate. Red Circle, directed by Akay Mason and written by co-producer Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, is a case-study in collaboration. Distributed by Nile Group, the film supported by brands like Knorr and Closeup, made Awolowo the youngest Nigerian filmmaker to cross the ₦100M mark at the box office. It premiered within the El Kabir and Democracy Day period.
- My Mother is A Witch (₦100,630,834.44)
UK-based Imuetiyan (Efe Irele) is summoned to Nigeria for her mother’s (Mercy Aigbe) burial, only to find herself face-to-face with the woman she has not spoken to in 12 years. With supporting performances from Timini Egbuson and Neo Akpofure among others, Niyi Akinmolayan’s My Mother is a Witch—co-produced by Irele’s Frame Flix HQ and Victoria Akujobi—succeeds in showing the complex kind of love that can exist between an African mother and her willful daughter.
- Hakeem: Seeking Justice (₦93,389,004.23)
In Abdulrasheed “JJC” Bello’s Hakeem: Seeking Justice, a former military man, Hakeem (Deyemi Okanlawon) goes on a rampage following the murder of his wife and child, in what turns out to be a human trafficking scheme. The film also stars Regina Daniels, Zubby Michael, Demi Branch, and Chioma Akpotha.
- Something About The Briggs (₦91,347,707.32)
Sophie Briggs (Ariyike “Dimples” Owolagba) turns down her boyfriend’s (Daniel Etim Effiong) proposal because she believes there’s a curse in her family that turns love sour after marriage. To prove her point, she takes him on a tour of each of her siblings’ marriages, and leaves him wondering if she might be right after all.
- Makemation (₦89,949,625.00)
Michael Akinrogunde’s Makemation, produced by Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji’s Rise Interactive Studios, sets Hausa teenager Zara Sodangi (Tomi Ojo) on a coming-of-age journey of self-empowerment through the believable use of AI and its possibilities. With skilled actor Ibrahim Chatta as her disapproving father, Jato, alongside other actors like Chioma Akpotha, Shaffy Bello, and Richard Mofe-Damijo, Makemation heralded itself as a major tech-themed film. It premiered around the Easter period.
- A Very Dirty Christmas (₦88,770,035.21)
A Very Dirty Christmas shoves a family into a forced reunion disguised as a holiday gathering. As old grievances simmer under the surface, and a sibling goes missing, Lulu (Ini Edo) and her family members must face some difficult truths. Directed by Akay Mason and produced by Ini Edo, the December film also includes IK Ogbonna, Lateef Adedimeji, Waje Iruobe and Nancy Isime.
- Aso Ebi Diaries (₦77,149,528.01)
Biodun Stephen’s Aso Ebi Diaries juggles the intricacies of Owambe culture, female friendship, and love with refreshing intentionality, using the lives of best friends, Fari (Nancy Isime), Chizzy (Chizzy Alichi), and Temisan (Bukunmi “Kiekie” Adeaga-Ilori). The ensemble includes Kunle Remi, Daniel Etim-Effiong, and Shaffy Bello. It was released on Good Friday.
- Summer Rain (₦73,919,387.57)
Summer Rain draws its audience in with the sizzling chemistry between Murewa (Bolaji Ogunmola) and Dimchi (Daniel Etim-Effiong), teenage lovebirds who reconnect years after a painful rift. Director and co-producer Adenike Adebayo-Esho tosses them between closure and romance, forging a way forward when the paternity of Murewa’s daughter is brought into question. The film, also produced by Ogunmola, is one of the most-talked-about romance flicks of 2025. It was released exactly a week before Valentine’s Day.
Become a patron: To support our in-depth and critical coverage—become a Patron today!
Join the conversation: Share your thoughts in the comments section or on our social media accounts.
