In 2024, Nollywood achieved a staggering milestone with ticket sales soaring to an extraordinary N12 billion, underscoring the unstoppable rise of Nigeria’s film industry.
Over recent years, Nigerian movies have consistently attracted massive audiences, proving that local productions can compete head-to-head with global blockbusters in both popularity and box office returns.
From heartfelt dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to adrenaline-pumping action films, Nollywood releases regularly fill theaters and break attendance records every weekend.
The opening weekend-spanning Friday through Sunday-is a pivotal moment in a film’s lifecycle. This timeframe captures the peak enthusiasm as viewers rush to experience new titles while excitement is at its highest.
A strong debut not only drives substantial ticket sales but also ignites word-of-mouth buzz and social media engagement, which are essential for maintaining momentum and drawing larger crowds in the weeks that follow.
Seasoned actors like Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, and Kayode Kasum have been instrumental in driving this cinematic surge, alongside a fresh wave of emerging stars who have invigorated the industry over the past four years.
Below is a curated list of the Top 10 Nollywood films boasting the highest-grossing opening weekends, showcasing the industry’s impressive expansion and highlighting the vital role of those initial three days in theaters.
Opening Weekend Earnings: N60.2 million
Released on December 24, 2021, Christmas in Miami is a festive comedy produced by Ayo Makun (AY) as part of his popular “AY’s Merry Men” series. Directed by Robert Peters, the film features AY alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo, Osita Iheme, Francis Duru, and John Amos.
Shot in both Nigeria and the United States, the story follows a family’s holiday escapades during a global Christmas celebration in Miami.
With an opening weekend haul of N60,232,775, the movie cemented AY’s status as one of Nollywood’s leading producers, expertly combining star power, humor, and festive cheer to captivate audiences nationwide.
