Nollywood films: Top 5 highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time

Did you know that Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film industry? Thanks to impressive storytelling and premium production qualities, Nollywood films are considered one of Nigeria’s major exports.

Evidence of Nollywood films and their success is seen in both their international recognition and heavy revenue. In 2021, the industry was worth $6.4 billion, contributing roughly 2.3% and $660 million to the country’s GDP in 2020. 

Here are the top 5 highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time.

1. Omo Ghetto: The Saga

Released in 2020, Omo Ghetto is a comedy directed by Funke Akindele and her husband, Jjc Skillz. It stars Akindele as Lefty, who struggles between the choice of living life in the ghetto with her friends or enjoying the comfortable lifestyle offered by her wealthy adopted mother. It ruled the Nigerian box office for 10 weeks, grossing a total of N636 million.

2. The Wedding Party

When The Wedding Party was released in December 2016, it broke the record of the highest-grossing Nollywood movie. Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the rom-com follows the chaos and drama over a day as a wealthy family tries to prepare and pull off a lavish wedding. The film was a box office success, grossing over N453 million in total.

3. The Wedding Party 2

After the success of The Wedding Party, its sequel, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai was released in 2017. Directed by Niya Akinmolayan, it’s set across Nigeria and Dubai as a British and Nigerian couple (Deirdre, the London bridesmaid and Nonso, Dozie’s elder brother from the first movie) plan to wed. It grossed over N433 million overall.

4. Chief Daddy

Another Niya Akinmolayan directorial smash was Chief Daddy, the fourth highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time. The comedy-drama tells the story of the billionaire industrialist and polygamist, Chief Beecroft and the effects on his dysfunctional family after his sudden and unexpected death. When it was released in 2018, it grossed over N387.5 million.

5. Sugar Rush

Directed by Kayode Kasum, Sugar Rush follows the three Sugar sisters as they discover $800,000 in the house of a corrupt man, Chief Douglas. After the sisters lavishly spend the money, they end up in serious trouble when the mafias come to claim their share of the money. The heist comedy was an instant success in 2019, grossing over N287 million. 

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