Asides Nollywood being the second largest film industry globally (in terms of volume of production), it has also grown to become very popular at home and abroad over the last decade. Hyper-local content is on demand like never before and some movies are breaking the box, not in the ‘hollywood-break-the-box‘ kinda way, but in a way that still signifies upward growth so far. A 2017 romcom from Ebonylife productions ‘The Wedding Party’ became the first Nollywood movie to gross over 400 million Naira ($1 million) at local cinemas, and strangely, its sequel did much better. This movie set the pace for even higher earnings netting over $2 million dollars.
Nollywood movies are best predicted to do better during the Christmas season, considering the increase in recreational activities and tourism. Tope Oshin, director of Up North, a movie that grossed N50 million ($137,000) in its first week of release says ‘the changing reality is mainly down to more filmmakers and production companies making bigger commitments to movies in budget and scale.’ From 2010 – 2019, we take a glance at the growth trajectory of Nollywood and highlight the top 10 highest grossing movies so far:
Bling Lagosians (N120 million)
A movie about the 1% of the 1%, the exotic Lagos life and struggles to fit in preset standards. The sets, costumes, cast and location were all exquisitely handpicked to project a clean aesthetic.
Elvina Ibru as Mopelola Holloway was glorious in her extravagant moment and on the flip side, incredible at calling a pity party. This movie will get love Lagos (In Nairamarley’s words, MAFO)
Merry Men 2 (N141 million)
This follow up of the original Merry Men featuring Falz, AY the comedian, Ramsey Noah and Jim Iyke was released a few days before Christmas and it’s already on the top 10 list of the decade. I told you…wild! I haven’t even seen it, so there’s not much to say.
Living in Bondage (N160 million)
Nollywood and sequels *sigh* well this one was great because the original movie was released 27 years ago and it aroused a nostalgic air around old cinema lovers. On a faithful day during the holiday, I set out to the mall to see a movie, can’t remember but I ended up watching Living in the bondage and contributing to their box office performance. If anyone told me I’ll sit 2hours and some minutes watching a movie about an unserious guy in advertising who ended up doing fucked yo shit for money, I’d have walked on water. But it was worth it. Yeah, kinda.
30 days in Atlanta (N178 million)
To be fair, this money wasn’t really all that. But it was one of the first fancy Nollywood movies about lame comedians visiting abroad, like a contemporary ‘Osofia in London’. You know, Ayo Makun knows how to feed this audience… happy go lucky guy, no surprise he made such money for a 2014 movie. I have a confession, I downloaded it from a website my classmate recommended. Oh good ol’ days.
A Trip to Jamaica (N181 million)
Another Ayo Makun Production right there, I can’t really say much but you know the normal recipe: another trip + comedy + drama = YAY! At the point of its release in 2016, it became the highest grossing Nollywood film ever. Forget, AY is a genius. His eyes are on the prize.
Merry Men: The real Yoruba Demons (N237 million)
Watched this movie many months after on Netflix and it was much better than I thought. Too much action and suspense. I love the slight romance too (winks at Ireti Doyle). I’m sorry to announce, the guy who produced 6 & 7 was the mastermind behind it. No wonder he has a really fancy house right?!
King of Boys (N242 Million)
In my own Personal Awards Ceremony, I’d give this movie all the awards and a sweet hug to Kemi Adetiba, her first owned movie after many years of directing feature films. This Nigerian political thriller drama was worth all the 169 minutes. Read somewhere that a part two is coming. I’ll just stop there.
Chief Daddy (N387 million)
I don’t know who I’m about to offend but this movie is sorta….pointless. Good production saved it, just like many other Nigerian movies anyway. Another secret if Nollywood is to have a robust marketing budget, don’t just sprinkle it in Filmhouse ad programming, or every 5 minutes in Ebonylife TV or roadside banners, also put together a glamorous premiere… Lights, Camera, Secure the bag!
The Wedding party 2 (N435 million)
Almost felt like a Dubai tourism documentary. But the plot was surely good enough to quadruple the N100 million budget.
The Wedding Party 1 (N452 million)
It’s at this point I’ll spill out the real gag, Nigerians just love parties – so it’s no surprise they’ll be more interested in film that plays out all that fantasy, of a high class society wedding, ethic wars and a love affair. To cap it all off, the lead actors pulled the biggest stunts and actually got married after the release.