As of September 2024, the West African box office, with Nigeria as its highest contributor, has demonstrated remarkable growth.
The box office alone has grossed over N5 billion in the first seven months of the year, setting an ambitious target of N10 billion by year-end.
This achievement is highlighted by an average cinema ticket price of N3,900 and a total of 1.3 million tickets sold, despite macroeconomic challenges impacting consumer spending. The growth is further evidenced by a 34% increase in revenue compared to the first half of 2023.
Nollywood continues to lead the market, capturing 50.05% of the Nigerian box office revenue in the first half of 2024.
The top 10 highest-grossing movies have collectively contributed a significant N3.24 billion to the Nigerian box office so far in 2024 based on data from the box office.
These movies also sold over N796 million in tickets. This list not only highlights the diverse preferences of Nigerian moviegoers but also shows the strong performance of both local and international films in the Nigerian market.
Here are the top 10 highest-grossing movies in Nigeria for 2024:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Gross Revenue: N170.8 million
Admissions: 39,733
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (2024) is an American science fiction action film directed by Wes Ball and written by Josh Friedman. It is the fourth instalment in the Planet of the Apes reboot series and a standalone sequel to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).
The film stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy. Set generations after Caesar’s death, it follows Noa, a young chimpanzee, who teams up with Mae, a human woman, to determine the future for both apes and humans. Premiering on May 2, 2024, and released on May 10, it grossed over $397 million worldwide. The film received generally positive across major cinemas.
Dune 2
Gross Revenue: N184.4 million
Admissions: 43,193
‘’Dune 2″ is a 2024 American epic science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. As the sequel to Dune (2021), it continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, focusing on Paul Atreides uniting with the Fremen to battle House Harkonnen.
Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, and other returning cast members are joined by Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken.
Originally scheduled for November 2023, the film premiered on February 6, 2024, at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, and was released in the U.S. on March 1. It grossed $711.8 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and setting several box office records. A sequel based on Herbert’s Dune Messiah is in development
Lakatabu
Gross Revenue: N202.2 million
Admissions: 55,048
Lakatabu” is a Nollywood Yoruba-language film that has achieved significant box office success, grossing over N200 million in Nigeria. Produced and starring Odunlade Adekola, the film premiered on June 21, 2024, and quickly became one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of the year.
It earned N47 million in its opening weekend, marking the third-highest opening of 2024, and surged to N94 million within a week.
The film, which tells the story of an armed robber with magical powers, has also contributed to the growing international appeal of Yoruba-language films.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Gross Revenue: N244 million
Admissions: 62,222
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is a 2023 American superhero film and the final installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by James Wan with a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, it stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman. It came to Nigerian cinemas in December 20, 2023.
In this sequel to Aquaman (2018), Aquaman teams up with his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) to stop Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) from using the cursed Black Trident to overheat the world and from killing his family while searching for the lost seventh kingdom of the seas. The film also features Amber Heard, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Martin Short, and Nicole Kidman in supporting roles.
Godzilla X Kong
Gross Revenue: N245.8 million
Admissions: 61,439
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 25, 2024, and released in the U.S. on March 29. Although critics gave it mixed reviews, comparing it unfavourably to Godzilla Minus One, the film was a box office success, grossing over $568.7 million worldwide against a $135–150 million budget. The movie raked in over N200 million in Nigerian cinemas.
It became the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and the highest-grossing film in the Monsterverse, Godzilla, and King Kong franchises. The plot follows Kong, who has established a new territory in the Hollow Earth, while Godzilla continues to manage order between humanity and Titans on Earth’s surface.
Beast of 2 Worlds
Gross Revenue: N252.8 million
Admissions: 72,532
Beast of Two Worlds” premiered on March 25, 2024, ahead of Easter celebrations, and was officially released to cinemas on March 29, 2024. Directed by Odunlade Adekola and Adebayo Tijani, the film explores the life of a desperate king facing banishment due to his wives’ inability to bear him a son.
To secure his dynasty’s future, he marries a woman from another world, whose arrival brings unexpected chaos and forces the king to confront his fears and fight for his legacy.
Cast: Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Mercy Aigbe, Faithia Williams, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Ibrahim Chatta, Fathia Balogun.
Performance: The film achieved the highest-grossing Nigerian film debut of 2024.
Production Time: The movie took over three weeks to produce, as revealed by the producer in 2022.
Ajosepo
Gross Revenue: N257.2 million
Admissions: 70,017
“Ajosepo” premiered on April 7, 2024, and made a strong debut, grossing N51.9 million in its first week. The film, which garnered a cumulative revenue of N136 million in its first 3 weeks at cinmeas, tells the story of Dapo (Mike Afolarin) and Tani (Tomike Adeoye), a young couple on the verge of marriage. Set in a luxurious hotel during their wedding festivities, the film delves into themes of family dynamics, hidden secrets, and unexpected revelations that challenge their happiness. With standout performances from Timini Egbuson, Yemi Solade, and Ronke Oshodi Oke, Ajosepo has resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences.
Bad Boys 4
Gross Revenue: N458.1 million
Admissions: 101,398
Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is a 2024 American action-comedy film and the fourth instalment in the Bad Boys series, directed by Adil & Bilall and written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall. Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the film also features Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, and DJ Khaled, with Tasha Smith joining the cast as Theresa Burnett, replacing Theresa Randle. The film premiered in Nigerian cinemas on June 7, 2024
Premiering at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 22, 2024, and released in the U.S. on June 7, the film has grossed $403 million worldwide against a $100 million budget.
The plot follows Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett as they work to clear the name of their late Captain Conrad Howard, who has been falsely accused of conspiracy.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Gross Revenue: N610.5 million
Admissions: 120,615
Deadpool & Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, premiered in Nigeria on July 26, 2024.
The film, showcasing Deadpool and a reluctant Wolverine teaming up to stop the Time Variance Authority from destroying their universe, has become a major hit. It has grossed over N500 million and is currently showing in 68 cinemas across Nigeria.
The film’s thrilling plot and star-studded cast have captivated audiences, propelling it to the top of the box office
A Tribe Called Judah
Gross Revenue: N610.7 million
Admissions: 160,950
A Tribe Called Judah” is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele, who also stars alongside Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, and others. Released on December 15, 2023, the film, inspired by Akindele’s late mother, centers on Jedidah Judah (Akindele), a single mother with five sons from different fathers and tribes.
While her first two sons are responsible, the last three are problematic: Pere (Egbuson) is a pickpocket, Shina (Makinde) is a local thug, and Ejiro (Oworu) is wayward. Despite their issues, Jedidah supports them unconditionally. The film made history, grossing over N1 billion at the box office.