Cinema titles with big numbers, despite the streaming platforms contending.
New and old contenders vied for Nigerian audience attention for 11 months, with only a handful emerging victorious.
With new and much more stronger contenders to come in December, a change to this list is almost inevitable. However, let’s dive right in, to the top five highest-grossing Nollywood titles so far this year.
Produced by Nigerian actor, Odunlade Adekola, Orisa is currently the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2023.
Despite Hollywood competition from Barbie and Oppenheimer, it set Nollywood’s record for the highest-grossing opening and the biggest epic debut of the year, making ₦27.6 million in the first week.
After 14 weeks nationwide, Orisa left box office charts with ₦127.89 million total gross, according to CEAN records.
Merry Men
Next up: Merry Men 3 by comedian Ay Makun, following the success of the first two titles in the franchise.
The second sequel, debuting on October 13, 2023, hit ₦100 million in just four weeks at Nigerian theaters. As of December 3, 2023, it has a total gross of ₦117,836,230, securing the second-highest spot.
Kesari
Ibrahim Yekini’s Kesari, the second Yoruba epic on the 2023 highest gross list, adds excitement to the era of indigenous titles.
Making its debut on August 25, 2023, it took its bow after 11 weeks of viewing, with a gross of ₦78, 106, 925.
Something Like Gold
As of December 3, 2023, Something Like Gold, currently screening in cinemas nationwide, has earned a total of ₦60.1 million, securing its position as the highest-grossing romantic drama for this year.
The Kuju’s Again
Biodun Stephen’s sequel, The Kuju’s Again, following 2020’s Introducing the Kujus, premiered on April 21, 2023.
Opening with ₦19 million, the comedy-drama concluded its theatrical run with a total of ₦53.53 million.
