Nollywood reached a remarkable milestone in 2024, with the top 10 highest-grossing films collectively earning a staggering N3.6 billion at the box office.
This marked a significant jump from the N1.94 billion recorded in 2023, reflecting an impressive 85.5% increase. Even with the exclusion of Funmilayo Ransom Kuti, which contributed N156.6 million, the total could have reached N3.7 billion, showing the incredible growth of the Nigerian film industry.
This success can be attributed to several factors, including an average ticket price of N5000, stronger cinema admissions, and more films crossing the N100 million benchmark. However, the true driving force behind this growth lies in the actors and actresses who have become the faces of these films.
Whether established stars or rising talents, these performers have brought their characters to life with skill and passion, captivating audiences and propelling their films to box office triumph. Here, we highlight the lead actors and actresses behind 2024’s highest-grossing Nollywood films.
Gbubemi Ejeye’s portrayal as the lead actress in the 2024 film Farmer’s Bride marked a significant milestone in her career.
Directed by Jack’enneth Opukeme and Adebayo Tijani, the drama, set in 1980s Ibadan, tells the story of a wealthy farmer whose life is turned upside down when he marries a young woman from a different social class.
Ejeye’s exceptional performance, alongside a talented cast including Mercy Aigbe, Tobi Bakre, and Femi Branch, captivated audiences and contributed to the film’s N167.2 million box office gross.
Originally from Delta State and raised in Lagos, Ejeye initially pursued a law degree before transitioning to acting, following a passion for the arts that emerged after her stage debut in Color Me Pink, a play centred on breast cancer awareness.
Ejeye’s breakthrough came in 2019 with her first screen appearance in the movie Rickety. She soon gained recognition for her roles in Citation,
