Top 17 Highest Grossing Nollywood Movies

Today, we will be looking at the top 17 highest grossing Nollywood movies of 2019. Note that, Revenues from special screenings, DVD sales, online streaming and theatrical screenings outside Nigeria are excluded from this gross total. And also, Films before the 2000s are also excluded from this list as their gross totals have not been inflation adjusted.

Top 17 Highest Grossing Nollywood Films Of All Time

17. Banana Island Ghost

Year: 2017
Domestic Gross: N60 Million
Studios: Biola Alabi Media / Nemsia Productions
Directors: BB Sasore

Banana Island Ghost is a 2017 Nigerian film written and directed by BB Sasore, and Produced by Derin Adeyokunnu and Biola Alabi. It starred Ali Nuhu, Saheed Balogun, Tina Mba, and Bimbo Manuel. The movie plot is about a man who died and his ghost is scared of going to heaven because he does not have a soul mate. He negotiates with God and was given an extra three more days to go back to earth and find one. [Also Read: 17 Most Beautiful Places in South Africa To Visit Before You Die]

In his search for a soul mate, the ghost stumbled upon Ijeoma, a desperate Banana Island resident in search of 18 million Naira. This N18million is how much is required for her to keep her father’s banana island home from being foreclosed by the bank. And she has got only three days to do so. The film is a mix of theatrical comedy and beat-matching action moves.

16. Half of a Yellow Sun

Year: 2013
Domestic Gross: N60 Million
Studios: Shareman Media / Slate Films
Directors: Biyi Bandele

The movie was inspired by a novel from a famous Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The movie which was released in 2013, is a historical fiction drama, based on the tragic events that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje, and John Boyega, the movie follows the love story of two sisters who were caught up in the outbreak of the Civil War. [Also, Read: Top 17 Richest People in Africa: African Wealthiest Men & Women]

Half of a Yellow Sun is a 2013 Nigerian historical fiction drama film directed by Biyi Bandele and based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The film is a love story that follows two sisters who are caught up in the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War. The film premiered in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

15. Moms at War

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N65 Million
Studios: Dioni Visions
Directors: Omoni Oboli

Starring top Nigerian comedienne, Funke Akindele, the Nigerian comedy-drama movie directed by Omoni Oboli, premiered in August 2018 at the Filmhouse Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos. It was released on August 17, 2018.  [Also, Read: 17 Most Beautiful Female Celebrities in Africa]

The film is about two mothers who compete against themselves in a particular scholarship competition in other to ensure success in the lives of their kids. The director, Omoni Oboli, says her inspiration for the movie was drawn from her own childhood experiences. The movie, which also starred Michelle Dede, and is a collaboration between Inkblot, Filmone, and Dioni Visions.

14. Wives on Strike

Year: 2016
Domestic Gross: N71.3 Million
Studios: Dioni Visions
Directors: Omoni Oboli

Wives on Strike is another masterpiece from Director, Omoni Oboli. The movie features the satiric actions of a group of market women who denied their husbands of sex in a bid to stir them into standing up for a young girl who was compelled by her father to marry a man against her will.  [Also, Read: 25 Business Ideas That Will Make You a Millionaire]

Upon its release, the film was reported to have broken several records at the Nigerian box office. Staring Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma McDermott, and Kehinde Bankole, the movie was shot during the heat of the campaign for #ChildNotBride.

13. ’76

Year: 2016
Domestic Gross: N72.4 Million
Studios: Adonis Productions / Princewill’s Trust
Directors: Izu Ojukwu

Starring Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic and Ibinabo Fiberesima, ’76 is a 2016 Nigerian historical fiction drama film produced by Adonijah Owiriwa and Izu Ojukwu and directed by Izu Ojukwu. Formerly known as Lions of ’76, the movie tells the love story of a young officer from the Middle Belt who gets into a romantic relationship with an O-level student from the South-eastern region. However, the relationship is affected by steady military postings. [Also Read, 15 Famous Movie Stars that went Broke]

The plot takes a twist after the soldier was accused of being involved in the 1976 unsuccessful military coup’ and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, and the heavily pregnant wife, leading to an emotional dilemma. The movie, which took a five-year-production period, went through a seven-month approval period at the Nigerian Military before filming started.

12. The Ghost and the Tout

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N80 Million
Studios: N/A
Directors: Charles Uwagbai

The Ghost and the Tout is a 2018 Nigerian film about a young lady who grew up in a Ghetto and met with a ghost after an unfortunate incident that happened to her. Soon her life is thrown into a series of dramas that only she can see and understand. [Also Read: 12 Most illegal Business in the World that will Fetch You Millions]

The movie, which was released on 11 May 2018, was nominated for City People Movie Award for Best Movie of the Year. The movie features top Nollywood stars like Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Chiwetalu Agu, Toyin Aimakhu Abraham(who is also the Producer of the film), and a host of others stars.

11. Okafor’s Law

Year: 2016
Domestic Gross: N90 Million
Studios: Dion’s Vision
Directors: Omoni Oboli

Another movie by Omoni Oboli, Okafor’s Law is a Nigerian comedy-drama film that tells the story of a young man(Chuks A.K.A The Terminator), who is an ardent player with ladies, on a quest to prove to his friends that the law which states that “straight men and women can’t just be friends” brings him three women he must re-seduce, all in a space of 21-days. [Also Read: 15 Skills that are Difficult to Learn but will Pay You For Life]

These women, Ify, Tomi, and Ejiro has had their lives drastically changed due to complicated relationships. This challenge of their various new status makes his quest to win the bet more and more insurmountable as he tries to prove the immortality of the long age law: Okafor’s Law. The film stars Blossom Chukwujekwu, Omoni Oboli, Toyin Aimakhu, Gabriel Afolayan, Ufuoma McDermott, Richard Mofe Damijo, Tina Mba, Kemi Lala Akindoju, and Ken Erics.

10.Up North

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N93.66 Million
Studios: Anakle Films / Inkblot Production
Directors: Tope Oshin Ogun

Love, friendship and family politics collide when a young rebellious heir from a wealthy family is sent away to national service in northern Nigeria. Up North is a 2018 Nigerian film produced by Anakle Films and Inkblot productions, and directed by Tope Oshin Ogun. [Also Read: 17 Most Expensive Celebrity Houses In The World]

The film script was written by Naz Onuzo and Bunmi Ajakaiye while the original story was written by Editi Effiong. It was shot in Bauchi and a week in Lagos. The movie cast includes Rahama Sadau, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Adesuwa Etomi Wellington, Banky Wellington, Hilda Dokubo, Michelle Dede, Akin Lewis, and Ibrahim Onimisi Suleiman.

9. Fifty

Year: 2015
Domestic Gross: N94.01 Million
Studios: EbonyLife Films
Directors: Biyi Bandele

Released on the 18 of December, 2015, Fifty is Nigerian Nigerian romantic drama film that tell about the captivating story of four Nigerian women-Tola, Elizabeth, Maria, and Kate, all friends who are at the highest point of their careers, but are forced at midlife to take inventory at their personal lives, while juggling career and family against the backdrops of the neighbourhoods of Lagos.

Tola is a reality TV star whose marriage to lawyer Kunle never stood a chance thanks to an invidious family secret. Elizabeth is a celebrated obstetrician whose penchant for younger men has estranged her from her daughter. Maria, a forty-nine-year-old has an affair with a married man that results in an unexpected pregnancy and Kate’s battle with a life-threatening illness has plugged her into a religious obsession.

8. 30 Days in Atlanta

Year: 2014
Domestic Gross: N137.2 Million
Studios: Corporate World Pictures
Directors: Robert Peters

Premiered on 31 October 2014, and ranked highest grossing film of all time in Nigerian cinemas in 2015, 30 Days in Atlanta is a comedy film produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters. The film was remotely shot in two locations, Lagos, and Atlanta.

However, after its release, the film was met with mixed to negative reactions from critics. The film stars Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Desmond Elliot, Vivica A. Fox, Lynn Whitfield, Karlie Redd, Majid Michel, Omoni Oboli, Racheal Oniga, Yemi Blaq, and Juliet Ibrahim.

You can read more about 30 days in Atlanta here

7. 10 Days in Sun City

Year: 2017
Domestic Gross: N177 Million
Studios: Corporate World Entertainment
Directors: Adze Ugha

Starring Richard Mofe-Damijo, Adesuwa Etomi Wellington, Mercy Johnson, Innocent Idibia (2face Idibia), Folarin Falana, Faithia Balogun, and Gbenro Ajibade, 10 days in Sun City is a 2017 Nigerian film that premiered on 17 June 2017. The film is owned by Ayo Makun, who is also the lead character, and was directed by Adze Ugha.

The romantic Comedy film is about the adventure of Akpos on a 10-day-trip to Sun City, Johannesburg, SA, with his fiance, who is an aspiring beauty queen. She was taken up by a wealthy man who helped make her a star, which made her denounce her fiance. But, however, her happiness didn’t last as she was on the verge being enslaved by her God Father when he got dealt with by some of the people he had deprived of the benefits in time past. Part of the scenes from the film were shot in Lagos, Nigeria. While most of the other scenes were done in South Africa.

The film shows that true love conquers all irrespective of the barrier or challenges encountered.

6. A Trip to Jamaica

Year: 2016
Domestic Gross: N178.5 Million
Studios: Corporate World Pictures
Directors: Robert Peters

Another collaboration between Ayo Mayokun and Robert Peters, A Trip to Jamaica is a Nigerian comedy-drama film starring Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim and Dan Davies. The movie premiered worldwide on September 25, 2016, in Lagos State, Nigeria. The film is still part of his(Ayo Makun) Akpos adventure series centred on adventure, comedy, and romance. [Also Read: 17 Most Polluted Cities in the World]

The film tells the story of the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relative’s residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens. The film received quite a number of mixed to negative reviews from critics, despite having a huge box office success, breaking the record set by 30 Days in Atlanta for the highest-grossing Nigerian film.

5. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N230 Million
Studios: Corporate World Entertainment / Gush Media
Directors: Toka Mcbaror

Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons is truly a Nollywood classic, produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Toka Mcbaror, the movie is about four rich Nigerian Men: The Merry Men, who seduce powerful women, get contracts from the political elite, steal from the rich, give to the poor and have sex with the hottest women in town. Real class Robin Hood style. [Also read: 17 Most Expensive Celebrity Plastic Surgery]

However, they face their biggest challenge yet when they antagonize a notorious and corrupt politician who plans on demolishing a village to build a shopping mall. The four men scheme to save the poor people of the village.

The film stars Ayo Makun as Ayo Abioritsegbemi, Folarin Falana as Remi Martins, Ramsey Nouah as Ayo Alesinloye, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Jim Iyke as Naz Okigbo, Osas Ighodaro, and Lilian Esoro. The setting of the film was in Abuja, the Nigerian Capital.

4. King of Boys

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N231.7 Million
Studios: Kemi Adetiba Visuals
Directors: Kemi Adetiba

Kemi Adetiba is back with another 2018 Nigerian political thriller film, King of Boys. The film sees Kemi Adetiba reunite with actress Adesua Etomi and Sola Sobowale after they worked together in her directorial debut, The Wedding Party. The movie is focused on power tussle and has some interesting star features, looking at the likes of rappers Illbliss and Reminisce in their movie debut roles.

Other features include Others include Paul Sambo, Osas Ajibade, Toni Tones, Sani Muazu, Demola Adedoyin, and Akin Lewis. The film, which has a runtime of 169 minutes, tells the story of Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman and philanthropist with and a promising political future. She is drawn into a struggle for power which in turn threatens everything around her as a result of her growing political ambitions.

To come out of this on top, she is caught up in a game of trust, not knowing who to really look up to and this leads to her ruthlessness.

3. Chief Daddy

Year: 2018
Domestic Gross: N387.02 Million
Studios: EbonyLife Films
Directors: Niyi Akinmolayan

Released on 14 December 2018, Chief Daddy is a Nigerian romantic-comedy film which tells the story of billionaire industrialist, Chief Beecroft, a flamboyant benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff and assorted mistresses.

Chief lives large like there’s no tomorrow, until the day he dies suddenly and the ‘bullion van’ stops. Now his entire family and money-crazed extended relatives must live in his mansion for three long months to plan his burial arrangements properly without fights, as any would lead to non-disclosure of his will.

Starring Taiwo Obileye, Joke Silva, Falz, Dakore Akande, Funke Akindele, Zainab Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Ini Edo, Linda Ejiofor, Mawuli Gavor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Rachel Oniga, Nkem Owoh, and Patience Ozokwor.

Chief Daddy is also among the best Netflix Movies

2. The Wedding Party

Year: 2016
Domestic Gross: N453,05 Million
Studios: Ebonylife Films / FilmOne / Inkblot Production / Koga Studios
Directors: Kemi Adetiba

The wedding Part is a prequel for its predecessor, the wedding party 2, which premiered a year after. It is a Nigerian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Kemi Adetiba. It premiered on 8 September 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and on 26 November 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

The film was released worldwide on 16 December 2016 and became the highest grossing Nigerian film. Starring Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Iretiola Doyle, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, Somkele Iyamah, Enyinna Nwigwe, Daniella Down, and Stephen Damien, the film was released worldwide on 16 December 2016 and became the highest grossing Nigerian film.

The movie is about a young, 24-year-old Nigerian girl, who is an art gallery owner, getting married to an IT entrepreneur Dozie Onwuka who comes from a very wealthy family. His mother, Obianuju Onwuka, considers her son to be marrying beneath himself.

1. The Wedding Party 2

Year: 2017
Domestic Gross: N500 Million
Studios: Ebonylife Films / FilmOne / Inkblot Production / Koga Studios
Directors: Niyi Akinmolayan

The wedding Party 1, became as stated earlier became the highest grossing Nigerian film in 2016. However, the record was broken in 2017 by its sequel, the Wedding Party 2. The plot for part 2 of this romantic-comedy took a twist when Dozie, the elder brother to Nonso, continued his romance with Deardre, Dunni’s bridesmaid. Nonso takes Deardre on a date in Dubai and proposes marriage by accident.

After a disastrous traditional engagement ceremony in Lagos, Nonso’s family and Deardre’s aristocratic British family reluctantly agree to a wedding in Dubai. Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, the film stars Sola Sobowale. Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Enyinna Nwigwe, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Somkele Iyamah, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, and Daniella Down.

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