The Nigerian box office reached nearly N8.8 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a significant period for the domestic theatrical market. Michael led Hollywood releases with N790.9 million, while Call of My Life emerged as the top Nollywood title, earning N686.8 million.
This six-month performance has already exceeded the full-year gross box office (GBO) figures recorded between 2019 and 2023, signaling a robust recovery and expansion of the industry.
Historical data provides context for this growth. In 2019, the GBO stood at N6.4 billion before dipping to N2.1 billion in 2020 due to the pandemic. Revenue began to recover in 2021, reaching N5 billion, followed by N6.9 billion in 2022 and N7.35 billion in 2023. The current trajectory suggests that 2026 will set a new benchmark for the sector. Related News Explainer: The business opportunity emerging from AI election misinformation in Nigeria Explainer: Cash today, less tomorrow: The trade-off of pension withdrawals after job loss Airtel cuts diesel use by 9.1m litres as green telecom race intensifies
Nollywood productions have maintained a strong presence among high-earning titles this year. Love & New Notes earned N385.3 million, followed by The Return of Arinzo with N350 million. Other notable performers include Ajosepo, which recorded N159.7 million over five weeks, Efunroye: The Unicorn with N102 million, and Onobiren with N100 million. These figures reflect a growing audience preference for local content.
