Nigerian Box Office revenue reaches N8.8bn in H1 2026

The Nigerian box office reached nearly N8.8 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a significant period for the domestic theatrical market. Michael led Hollywood releases with N790.9 million, while Call of My Life emerged as the top Nollywood title, earning N686.8 million.

This six-month performance has already exceeded the full-year gross box office (GBO) figures recorded between 2019 and 2023, signaling a robust recovery and expansion of the industry.

Historical data provides context for this growth. In 2019, the GBO stood at N6.4 billion before dipping to N2.1 billion in 2020 due to the pandemic. Revenue began to recover in 2021, reaching N5 billion, followed by N6.9 billion in 2022 and N7.35 billion in 2023. The current trajectory suggests that 2026 will set a new benchmark for the sector.

Nollywood productions have maintained a strong presence among high-earning titles this year. Love & New Notes earned N385.3 million, followed by The Return of Arinzo with N350 million. Other notable performers include Ajosepo, which recorded N159.7 million over five weeks, Efunroye: The Unicorn with N102 million, and Onobiren with N100 million. These figures reflect a growing audience preference for local content.

On the international front, major Hollywood earners alongside Michael included Mortal Kombat II, which earned N215.7 million by its fifth week, and The Devil Wears Prada II, which took in N168.7 million in four weeks. Master of the Universe earned N65.2 million, while Supergirl recorded N66.9 million during its opening weekend, representing one of the highest debut figures of the year.

According to the 2025 Nigeria Box Office Yearbook published by FilmOne Entertainment, the industry generated N15.6 billion in total revenue last year. While Nollywood and Hollywood held equal market shares in 2025, current trends indicate that Nollywood is positioned to potentially outperform Hollywood by the end of 2026, which would represent a historic shift in the Nigerian theatrical market.