Nigerian movies are rated among the best globally. The industry has grown over the years to the extent of receiving international recognition, as well as raking in heavy revenue. Nigeria’s entertainment business (Nollywood) is currently the world’s second-largest film industry. The industry was worth $3.6 billion in 2016 and $6.4 billion in 2021, contributing about 2.3 per cent and $660 million to the country’s GDP in 2020. Though Kannywood is faced with marketing challenges, it still contributes its quota. Nigerian movies are considered one of the country’s major exports. Improved storytelling and high quality of production shown in the new generation of Nigerian films have resulted in this profit as movies continue to break records. Weekend Magazine compiles a list of the highest-grossing Nigerian movies of all times.
Kannywood
Ka yi na yi: 5.46m
‘Ka yi na yi’ is a sequel to ‘Kalan Dangi’ from the stable of Maishadda Global Resources Limited. It is produced by Abubakar Bashir Maishadda and directed by Ali Gumzak. Dauda Kahutu Rarara is the executive producer and was scripted by Fauziyya D. Sulaiman.
The movie is about a group of people who are into fraud, treachery, cheating and lies to dupe people.
In one of the scenes, Habu (Aminu Sheriff Momoh) warned his mother not to call him Habu because it can disappoint him in the presence of his girlfriends whom he had lied to as being very rich.
They later met women who are also faking everything including Facebook accounts and spent their money on them only to discover that they were also fake. The movie is the highest-grossing Kannywood movie as per available information from Box office from the Kano cinema with a gross of 5.46m
Lamba: 5,252,550
‘Lamba’ is another blockbuster movie by Maishadda Global Resources Limited, produced by Abubakar Bashir Maishadda and directed by Ali Gumzak.
The movie is also a comedy aimed at addressing the social problem of how people are living a fake lives on social media as against their real social status.
It shows young men: Adam Zango, Ado Gwanja and Umar Shariff who are poor and trying to make ends meet by doing menial jobs such as car wash, but living fake lives on social media to impress girls, by hiring cars and clothes. Incidentally, the girls are also living fake lives by borrowing clothes to take good photographs to upload on social media. The movie has some similarities with ‘Kalan Dangi’ and ‘Ka yi na yi.’ It grossed 5,252,550
Mati A Zazzau: 4.84m
‘Mati A Zazzau’ is a film produced by Rahama Sadau, and directed Yaseen Auwal which debuted Marvin record artiste Hadiza Blell, popularly known as Di’Ja into Kannywood.
The movie is also a sequel to another Kannywood hit, ‘Mati da Lado’ also by Rahama Sadau.
The movie started with ‘Mati da Lado’ with Sadiq Sani Sadiq who acts as Mati in the movie and his brother Lado who for a very long time duped the villagers, Rimau claiming to be Islamic preachers, but were later chased out after the people discovered their lies.
In the sequel, Mati arrived Zazzau with no tangible reason to be there, but while there, he later discovered that his late father had lived and left wealth with his old friend there, and so he set out to recover the money through any possible means. It grossed 4.84m
Omo Ghetto; the saga – N636m
‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ is a comedy produced and directed by Funke Akindele. It is a follow-up to the actress’s 2010 trilogy film ‘Omo Ghetto,’ which is about twin sisters who were separated at birth.
The film was released on December 25, 2020, and grossed over N189 million in its first week, making it the first Nollywood film to ever gross over N99 million in its opening weekend, beating ‘The Wedding Party 2’s previous record. ‘Omo Ghetto’ ruled the Nigerian box office for ten weeks in a row, grossing a total of N636 million.
Nollywood
The Wedding Party – N453,000,000
‘The Wedding Party’ is a Nigerian comedy-drama film directed by Kemi Adetiba and produced by ELFIKE Film Collective. It had been premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2016, and at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on November 26, 2016.
The film, which was released globally on December 16, 2016, held the record for the highest-earning Nigerian film after its debut, grossing over N453 million and was only surpassed in 2020 by Funke Akindele’s “Omo Ghetto.”
The Wedding Party 2 – N433,197,377
‘The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai’ is a 2017 Nigerian romantic film that is a sequel to the comedy-drama The Wedding Party, which was released the year before.
ELFIKE Film Collective produced the film, which was directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. The film, which was shot in Lagos and Dubai, grossed nearly N433m at the box office, making it Nollywood’s third highest-grossing film of all time.
Chief Daddy – N387,540,749
‘Chief Daddy’ is a 2018 Nigerian comedy-drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu. It was written by Bode Asiyanbi. On December 14, 2018, the film was released in Nigeria, and on March 15, 2019, it was distributed in the Netherlands via Netflix.
It starred Funke Akindele Bello, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo, and Racheal Oniga, all of whom are well-known Nollywood actors and actresses. At the box office, Chief Daddy grossed over N387m.
Sugar Rush – N287,053,270
‘Sugar Rush’ is a 2019 Nigerian comedy film directed by Kayode Kasum and written by Jadesola Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye. The film, which starred Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola, and Bimbo Ademoye, was released on December 25th, 2019. Since its Christmas release, the film has grossed over $287m in Nigeria, making it the fifth highest-grossing Nollywood film of all times.
Christmas in Miami – N264,000,000
‘Christmas in Miami’ is the fourth instalment of the AKPOS film series, directed by Robert Peters and produced by famed Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun (AY). It included notable Nigerian actors like AY, RMD, Osita Iheme, IK Ogbonna, Kent Morita, Raquel Lamanna, and others.
According to estimates gathered by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, the film was released on December 24, 2021, and grossed N100.7m in its first week in Nigerian theatres (CEAN). The film has so far grossed a total of N264m at the box office.
King of Boys – N244,775,758
With a box office total of 244,775,758, ‘King of Boys’ is the next-highest grossing Nigerian movie. Furthermore, this film has been adapted into a Netflix series.
Kemi Adetiba directed the first film, which was released in 2018. The main character of this film is Alhaja Eniola Salami, a philanthropist and businesswoman with a potential political career who is lured into the war for power.
In the meantime, she turns brutal in her quest for success. Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Illbliss, Reminisce, Sharon Ooja, Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro, and Toni Tones are just a few of the actors who appear in this film.
Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons – N235,628,358
This action-comedy film, directed by Toka Mcbaror, is about four wealthy buddies (the Merry Men) who court influential women, steal from the wealthy to give to the needy, and obtain contracts with politicians.
Additionally, this film depicts the difficulties they have while attempting to protect the underprivileged in a particular neighbourhood that a prominent and dishonest politician intends to destroy in order to construct a shopping mall.
AY Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Falz, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Damilola Adegbite, Jide Kosoko, and Rosaline Meurer are among the stars of the movie.
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